DAVAO CITY — The 37 candidates of the 2026 Mutya ng Pilipinas took a break from pageant preparations to explore Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal, spotlighting the region as a premier travel destination. The tourism immersion marks the first time Davao has been chosen as the pageant's featured destination.
A First for Davao and Samal
Cory Quirino, president of Mutya ng Pilipinas, explained that each year the pageant selects a travel destination to showcase. For 2026, the organization chose Davao and Samal for their rich culture, natural beauty, and warm hospitality.
"Every year the Mutya ng Pilipinas has its own travel destination, so this year we chose Davao including Samal," Quirino said during an interview with the Philippine Information Agency. She added that the candidates are here to promote the best of the Philippines and invite balikbayans to spend their holidays in the country.
Exploring Kadayawan Village
One of the first stops was the Kadayawan Village at Magsaysay Park, a seaside destination built in 2017. The village allows visitors to immerse themselves in the culture of Davao's 11 ethnolinguistic groups through authentic replicas of indigenous houses.
The candidates interacted with Lumad and Moro representatives manning the houses and partook of a buffet featuring native cuisine and locally grown fruits like durian, marang, and pomelo. Claire Cacao, representing Pangasinan, expressed delight at the abundance of fresh produce.
"There are so many fruits and I love it so much because I am the type of person who prefers fruits over sweets and candies, and I love the fact that Davao is rich in fruits," Cacao said.
Pearl Farm and City Developments
The delegation also visited Pearl Farm Resort in Samal, where candidates were captivated by the island's beauty. Nicole Joycean Peñaserada, representing Buhi, Camarines Sur, described her first visit to Davao as mesmerizing and expressed reluctance to leave.
"All I can say is I don't want to leave yet. I hope we can extend; I hope I can come back to Davao," Peñaserada said.
The Davao sojourn included a courtesy call with Vice Mayor Rigo Duterte and city councilors at the Sangguniang Panglungsod. The candidates also toured developments such as Paragon and Davao Global Township, witnessing the city's rapid urbanization.
Promoting Davao to a Wider Market
Quirino highlighted that the candidates come from diverse provinces and represent Overseas Filipino Worker communities in various countries. This diversity amplifies Davao's promotional reach, allowing the delegates to share their experiences with international audiences.
"Now they are here to promote the Philippines and invite all the balikbayans to come back here, spend their Christmas here, spend their dollars here," Quirino said.
Willenito Tormis, Officer-in-Charge of the City Tourism Operations Office, thanked Mutya ng Pilipinas for choosing Davao. He noted that the visit would boost efforts to promote the city to a broader tourism market.
The Department of Tourism XI, the City Tourism Operations Office, and the Island Garden City of Samal government provided support throughout the visit. Their assistance ensured a smooth and memorable experience for the candidates while showcasing the region's readiness to host major events.
