Madayaw Cultural Ensemble: Hidden Gem of Davao REVEALED in Grand Champion Wedding Dance Performances

This is a celebration of the triumphs of the one of the premiere dance troupes of Davao City, the Madayaw Cultural Ensemble (MCE), whom we have been following for over a decade now.

During the 2014 Kadayawan Festival's Sayaw Mindanaw dance competition, the MCE showcased the Palipalihan Sin Kaamasan, a traditional Tausug wedding celebration and bagged the title of Grand Champion.

Ten years later, in March of this year, they again won the grand prize at the Sayaw Dabawenyo dance competition of the Araw ng Dabaw festival. This time, they presented the Habanera Botolena, a traditional folk dance inspired by our time under Spain, also performed during weddings. So we show a contrast - and similarities - between the Muslim and Christian wedding traditions.

The third wedding is a union of two of the MCE members, to which they invited us. From the stage to the real-life celebration of two people coming together, with their families and friends in attendance, it was a treat to be part of it. This is the very first Muslim wedding we have ever been to.

This also reminds us that Davao City is perhaps the most culturally-diverse and most culturally immersive major city in the Philippines.

0:00 - 2014 Sayaw Mindanaw
08:24 - Pagara-Yuka wedding
09:15 - Habanera Botolena