March 16, 2020 is the 83rd Foundation Day of Davao City, Philippines, the place where I reside. Every year this day is celebrated with much fanfare and celebration.  Local and foreign tourists come to Davao to enjoy the festivities, highlighted by a street parade where participants are dressed in different costumes of the ethnic tribes of Davao. It is also the time that Davao displays its vast floral, agricultural and fruit produce in exhibit sites in different parts of the city.  These exhibit sites are usually made up of booths where plant and flower growers showcase their wares and products.  
![o3cqw2.png](https://img.esteem.app/o3cqw2.png)
[Source](https://www.google.com/search?q=araw+ng+dabaw+festival&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjH-t7xxJ_oAhUKA6YKHV_rBPMQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=araw+ng+&gs_l=img.1.0.0i67l2j0j0i67l2j0l5.70226.71776..74911...0.0..0.98.718.8......0....1..gws-wiz-img.9GxcXEaM8_Q&ei=5LlvXsf4AYqGmAXf1pOYDw&rlz=1C1CHBD_enPH761PH761)

However, the pandemic that is COVID-19 has caused the cancellation of this year's celebration as Davao City mayor, Sarah Duterte, the daughter of the Philippine president, declared a community quarantine throughout the city. This is just one step away from a total lockdown. As a result all the booths that were put up together with all the floral and agricultural displays had to be taken down. The city, in its 83rd anniversary, celebrated its foundation instead by fighting off possible extinction, defending it against a dangerous unseen enemy by declaring an almost lockdown on its citizenry.

Three days ago, I took pictures of one of the exhibit areas for the Davao Foundation Day as they were putting up the booths.  This was located in SM Ecoland Parking Lot. Here are some of the pictures.

##### Three Days Ago Photos SM Ecoland Exhibit Area
![xehxyk.png](https://img.esteem.app/xehxyk.png)

Tents being set up for the participating flower and agricultural exhibitors.
![uc1gol.png](https://img.esteem.app/uc1gol.png)

![gvr8f3.png](https://img.esteem.app/gvr8f3.png)

##### Two Days Ago Photos SM Ecoland Exhibit Area
![vt8x68.png](https://img.esteem.app/vt8x68.png)

The tents or booths are all set up and ready for moving in of exhibitors.
![jmowqh.png](https://img.esteem.app/jmowqh.png)

##### Yesterday Photos of SM Ecoland Exhibit Area
![ap57px.png](https://img.esteem.app/ap57px.png)

Exhibitors moving in to display their products. Some have completely moved in already, waiting for the opening day tomorrow. Some are just moving in.
![w1ho7n.png](https://img.esteem.app/w1ho7n.png)
Photo above shows a pick up truck delivering plants and flowers to the site.

![z7rd4q.png](https://img.esteem.app/z7rd4q.png)

Some of the early birds with their display
![zg4ali.png](https://img.esteem.app/zg4ali.png)

![v3bvnc.png](https://img.esteem.app/v3bvnc.png)

![nvlczw.png](https://img.esteem.app/nvlczw.png)

![vpslci.png](https://img.esteem.app/vpslci.png)

##### Pictures Today SM Ecoland Exhibit Area
![j833qp.png](https://img.esteem.app/j833qp.png)

Exhibit Area is practically empty and the booths taken down.
![7ggoz2.png](https://img.esteem.app/7ggoz2.png)

Pick up truck loading fruit trees seedlings as they pull out from display area
![0m0j85.png](https://img.esteem.app/0m0j85.png)

This is probably the saddest Foundation Day that this city has experienced. Sad but not bitter because these participants know what is at stake by pulling out - and that is to help in stemming a possible outbreak of the virus which can easily happen in a crowded place which this display area was about to be. We can only hope and pray that this crisis passes and when it does, I am sure next year's celebration is going to be even grander than it was supposed to be this year.

### All for now. I do hope we will have the chance to do this celebration again and also blog about it here in Steemit. Thanks for dropping by. 

*(All photos are mine except for the first one where the source is indicated for reference.)*