Kadayawan may be the King of Feasts, but harvest isn’t all it’s good for.
This festival is a celebration of abundance—not just of fruit and flowers, but of the land, stories, and spirit of Davao. Beyond the parades, tribal dances, and fruit baskets, Kadayawan is also a great time to explore what it means to live like a Davaoeño.
Here are five local experiences you won’t find anywhere else—uniquely Davao activities that are worth weaving into your August plans.
1. Cheese Tasting at Malagos Farmhouse
Photo from WIM in Davao
Location: Malagos Farmhouse, Bolcan Street, Agdao, Davao City
Yes, Davao has artisanal cheese—and yes, you should taste it.
Malagos Farmhouse offers private cheese tastings that showcase their signature creations like Goat’s Milk Kesong Puti, Mango Chèvre, Blue Pepato, La Maria (a camembert-style cheese), Queso Rustico, and more. The session includes bread, greens, and occasionally a raclette station or chocolate fondue pairing, depending on your booking.
The tasting is priced at ₱500 per person, with a minimum of 8 guests. Sessions are held at 10 AM and 5 PM by appointment only.
While Malagos Farmhouse operates in Agdao, the same family also manages the Malagos Chocolate Museum and cacao farms in Calinan—perfect for pairing if you want a longer day of Davao flavors.
Who should go: Cheese lovers, titas on a flavor quest, curious barkadas, and anyone romanticizing wine-and-cheese culture in Mindanao.
2. Go on a Kakaw Lakaw at Gran Verde Farms
Photo from WIM in Davao
“Kakaw Lakaw” translates to “cacao walk,” and that’s exactly what you’ll do.
At Gran Verde Farms, you’ll stroll through a working cacao farm, see how cacao pods are harvested, fermented, and dried, and end the tour with a local chocolate tasting. It’s not a glossy exhibit—it’s the real thing, made for agri-curious visitors who want to see how chocolate begins.
The tour blends cultural education with hands-on immersion, especially during harvest months.
Who should go: Families, field trippers, farm-to-table fans, and anyone who wants to ground their chocolate cravings in local soil.
3. Meet the Majestic Philippine Eagles
Photo from WIM in Davao
No visit to Davao is complete without meeting its most iconic resident: the Philippine Eagle.
The Philippine Eagle Center is home to over 30 eagles, some bred in captivity as part of the country’s conservation efforts. The center also hosts other endemic wildlife like hornbills, macaques, and crocodiles, housed within a mini-forest sanctuary that mimics their natural habitat.
General admission ranges from ₱50 to ₱150 depending on the package. During Kadayawan, they sometimes hold Keeper Talks or raptor flight demos—check their social pages for updates.
Who should go: Wildlife lovers, families with kids, conservation advocates, and anyone who wants to come face-to-beak with a national treasure.
4. Try Señorita Durian at Tito D’Best Durian Davao
Location: Tito D’Best Durian, Mamay Road, Buhangin District, Davao City
There’s durian, and then there’s señorita durian—smaller, sweeter, creamier, and milder than most local varieties.
If you’ve always been curious, señorita durian is your gateway fruit. It’s incredibly hard to come by, though, so if it’s available, go for it! Try it at Tito D’Best Durian along Mamay Road. Known for consistent quality and fair pricing, Tito D’s is a favorite among locals for easy, no-pressure durian tasting, especially during Kadayawan season.
This is the kind of roadside stall that doesn’t try too hard. It just delivers.
Who should go: Durian skeptics, first-time visitors, balikbayans, and anyone finally ready to earn their Davaoeño badge.
5. Go Pearl Shopping at Poblacion Market Central
Photo from Ayla Pearls Davao/ Facebook
Location: Poblacion Market Central, C. Bangoy St., Davao City
If you’re looking for an authentic souvenir that isn’t edible, pearls are a classic Davao find.
Head to the second-floor pasalubong section of Poblacion Market Central. Shops like Ayla Pearls offer affordable yet elegant pieces—think dainty earrings, drop pendants, or bracelets starting at around ₱300. They also carry South Sea pearls for more premium options.
The vendors here have been doing this for years. You’ll leave with something beautiful and a quick crash course in what makes Mindanao pearls special.
Who should go: Titas, ninangs, minimalist it-girls, and anyone who loves jewelry with a story.
What You’ll Remember Most
Kadayawan isn’t just a celebration of bounty, it’s a reminder of what roots us.
Beyond the parade floats and fruit baskets, the festival is an invitation: to slow down, to look closer, and to experience the city through the lens of its people. From handcrafted cheeses in an unassuming corner of Agdao to cacao walks in the highlands, from the quiet dignity of pearls to the unapologetic punch of durian, these moments tell you more about Davao than any souvenir ever could.
So while the stages light up and the streets fill with music, carve out time to explore the everyday magic that lives just outside the spotlight.
This is the kind of Davao you carry with you—long after Kadayawan ends.
How are you spending your Kadayawan?
ALSO READ: Kadayawan 2025: Everything You Need to Know So Far
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