Kadayawan Sports Festival

Kadayawan is the festival of festivals. There is a horticulture festival, a sports festival, booths for pasalubong (souvenirs), and lots of cultural dances. Eric was able to take part in the sports festival by playing on the mayor's basketball team in the tournament. On Thursday, August 17, was the championship game. Eric's team came in 4th out of 6 teams. One team that was in the tournament was Manny Pacquiao's warriors. Manny Pacquiao is a VERY famous boxer in the Philippines and especially in Mindanao because he is from General Santos City. GenSan, as it is referred to, is on the coast just west of Davao. Well last night Manny Pacquiao, or Pacman as he is affectionately called, actually played on his team. Eric and Tara were able to stand right beside Pacman (he is very short like most Filipinos). We also watched him play. The crowd went crazy every time he even touched the ball. The crowd was amazing. Filipinos love their basketball but especially when Pacman is there. The gym holds probably 2,500 in seats and there was probably well over 3,000 inside with hundreds more waiting outside to try to get in.