Araw ng Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, also translated to Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur Day, is founding anniversary celebration of the municipality of Sta. Cruz in the province of Davao del Sur, Philippines every October 5. The date may be special non working holiday through executive issuance (such as Proclamation No. 1224 in 2021).
The town also celebrates Pista sa Kinaiyahan every April.
History of Sta. Cruz
Sta. Cruz was instituted as a town on October 5, 1884.
Its old name was Labo, a word in the language of the aborigines that means marshland. The first people who inhabited the place belonged to Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe.
According to some accounts, missionaries failed to convert the people to Christianity. Before they abandoned their mission, they erected a cross and in that location, a settlement formed and grew. Over time, it was called Sta. Cruz (The Holy Cross).
The town was broken up into three, giving birth to the municipalities of Padada and Digos by virtue of Executive Order No. 236 signed by President Elpidio Quirino on July 1, 1949.
Then on September 28, 1964, the town of Roxas was created out of Sta. Cruz. This was pursuant to Executive Order No. 102 that was issued by President Diosdado Macapagal, and it was the result of House Bill 1965 filed in the Lower House of Congress.
However, the creation of Roxas as a municipality was nullified by a Supreme Court ruling, preventing the town of Sta. Cruz from having its territory from having diminished further.
Araw ng Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur Activities
Araw ng Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur activities such as competitions, beauty pageant (Reina Sta. Cruz, Mutya ng Sta. Cruz), battle of the bands, fun run, OFW Day, dance competition (Hugyaw Sayaw), variety shows, Pakaradyan Festival (a feast showcasing Muslim culture), night market, boat race (Bancathon), Indigenous Peoples Day, carnival show, Environment Day, grand parade, and fireworks display
How to reach Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
Take a flight to Davao International Airport and take a land transport going to the municipality.
References
- Holidays — Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Legislative Digital Resources. Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved October 2, 2023
- Antonio Figureoa. FAST BACKWARD: The dissolution of Roxas town. Edge Davao. February 19, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2023
- About Us. Municipality of Sta. Cruz. Retrieved October 2, 2023
- Executive Order No. 236. Official Gazette. Retrieved October 2, 2023
- Executive Order No. 102. Official Gazette. Retrieved October 2, 2023
Araw ng Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur Summary
Name Araw ng Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur Celebration Founding Anniversary Contact +6382 2720611 Country Philippines Date October 5 Email mmo5stacruz@gmail.com Facebook www.facebook.com Location Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur Organizer Municipal Government of Sta. Cruz Website stacruz.gov.ph
| Name | Araw ng Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur |
|---|---|
| Celebration | Founding Anniversary |
| Contact | +6382 2720611 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | October 5 |
| mmo5stacruz@gmail.com | |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Location | Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur |
| Organizer | Municipal Government of Sta. Cruz |
| Website | stacruz.gov.ph |