MANILA - President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday extolled Davao City as among the country's "shining beacons of progress", giving credit to its people for uniting against hardships the country has faced as a nation. In his message on the celebration of the Kadayawan Festival, Marcos said the occasion is a reminder of how festive gatherings bring Filipinos "closer together" to celebrate a shared culture and rootedness. He described the Kadayawan Festival as a commemoration of Davao City's "abundance" an opportunity to show "the best of what their hometown has to offer." "l could not help but admire the story that Davao City has written through the years, in which it has emerged as among the country's shining beacons of progress. It is with no doubt that Davaoenos have embodied solidarity and contributed wholeheartedly in weaving their own tale of nation-building to bring their beloved city to where it is toda