Davao de Oro — For the first time in history, Davao de Oro will have its virtual Bulawan Celebration. The Provincial Government decided to hold the festival thru social media platforms, maximizing technological advantages due to the current situation the world is experiencing.
Since the renaming of the province from the former “Compostela Valley” to “Davao de Oro”, the provincial government will celebrate the Online Bulawan 2020 from October 19-21.
This year’s Online Bulawan with the theme “Ang Atong Bulawan” will feature the interventions, best practices and actions of the Provincial Government in combatting the Covid-19 pandemic and recognizing the efforts of the front-liners as living heroes who relentlessly serve the public from the risk of the virus.
The 3 day virtual celebration will also showcase the following events; on the first day will be the Bulawan 2020 Opening; “Life in DdO” that will feature nature, food, shopping destinations in Davaon de Oro; “Bahandi” which will share DdO’s eventful past, culture and heritage and “Tiktokan sa Bulawan” that will strive to promote participation among Dabawenyos, encouraging to submit Tiktok entries in line with the theme “Ang Atong Bulawan” and using the official Online Bulawan 2020 soundtrack. This will also lift the spirit of creativity in the course of the pandemic.
On the second day will be the “Biz iCon”, “Babayanihan” and “Agri-Oro”. The Biz iCon (Business and Investment Conference) will feature resiliency of the business sector in Davao de Oro as well as the government’s efforts to support local businesses amidst pandemic. The Biz iCon will also hold a “Reverse Business Matching” that will link Large Companies to Local MSMEs in the province and a webinar for business innovations to discuss social media management tips for business and online productivity tools; “Agri-Oro”, a farm episode that will provide information and updates on the initiatives of the province towards local farming and agriculture amidst the pandemic and the “Babayanihan” that will provide information and updates on the initiatives of the Provincial Women Development Council highlighting inspirational stories of women who are serving different duties in the family as well as in the community.
On the last day will be the “Virtual Mass” and “Honoring Our Front-liners” which will both highlight the front-liners who selflessly exert time, effort and energy and even risking their lives serving the public and mitigate the spread of Covid-19; “Green Day” which will promote the trend in planting especially at home and making it more nature-purposive; “ Balik Tanaw” which will bring us back to the celebration of the Bulawan Festival 2019 and other best practices anchored on the Bayanihan Spirit; “DdO Subasta for a Cause” an online subasta for a cause where items donated by various donors will be held in auction and proceeds will be given to chosen beneficiaries; “Bulawan 2020 Closing Program” and the “Bulawanong Musika” showcasing golden talents in DdO and the heroism of the front-liners.
Due to the pandemic, mass gatherings were prohibited, but that doesn’t stop the social connection of the people in Davao de Oro. With the advent of technology, interactions flourished than ever. The celebration of the Online Bulawan sends a strong message that the Golden province will remain solid, hopeful and will continue moving to greatest heights. (Jasteen P. Abella, Information Division, Davao de Oro)