The lasses of our tribes

VYING for the coveted crown of Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2012, ten ladies will be competing against each other t bring pride to themselves and their tribe.

Emierita A. Bogcal, 23-years-old Ata, is a 3rd year Bachelor of Elementary Education at the Holy Child College of Davao. “Mimi”, who dreams of becoming a teacher, is presently residing in Crossing Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City. Ata is another sub-tribe of the Manobo, who are mostly residents of Paquibato District and in Marilog District just across Davao River.

Jean “Babyjean” K. Ali, from Maguindanaon tribe, of Guerrero St., Davao City, wants to travel around the world. This 18-year-old is currently taking up BS Tourism in Joji Ilagan Career Center Foundation. Maguindanaos are from the central plains of Mindanao. Maguindanao means people of the floodplains as most of Central Mindanao are the floodplains of Mindanao's biggest river, the Rio Grande de Mindanao.

Sixteen-year-old Jamayla Angela M. Cabale is a Bagobo-Tagabawa. “Jam” is a 1st year college BS of Accountancy student of Holy Cross of Mintal. She lives in Toril, Davao City. The word Tagabawa means from the south, and the origins of the Tagabawas are at the southernmost end of Davao City at the borders of Davao del Sur as the bulk of Tagabawas resided in Davao del Sur down to North Cotabato.

From Kagan tribe, Hannah Catucag is a 21-year-old Bachelor of Physical Education student of Brokenshire College of Davao. “Hann” lives in Barangay 9-A, San Rafael Muslim Area, Davao City. Also referred to as Kalagans, the Kalagan is the Islamized tribe of Davao and are originally from the coastal and downstream riverside areas.

Belle Colleen Bato, 20, from Bagobo Clata tribe, is a graduate of BS in Agricultural Business from University of the Southeastern Philippines in Mintal. Clata belongs to the branch of Manobo tribe that is among those who have resided within the city territory since time immemorial. The tribe shares this distinction with the Guiangan (pronounced as Jangans).

Elmia Hussin “Matet” Sailadin, from Sama tribe, is a BS in Business Administration graduate from University of Mindanao. Matet, 26, dreams of becoming one of the most influential people in the world. The Samas are indigenous coastal residents of Mindanao, although it has not been established if they are original residents of the area now known as Davao City. But they have original settlements all over the region in enough numbers to say that while they may not be where Davao City is now, but they are from the undivided Davao.

From Matigsalog tribe, Analine “Anne or Lyn2x” C. Mansabid is a third year college student taking up Bachelor of Public Administration of University of Southeastern Philippines. This 19-year-old wants to help her tribe and be a “good leader” to them. Matigsalog means people of the river, where the original villages were upstream of Davao River. Being up there where the mountains interweave, the Matigsalogs share a lot of stories and legends with the Talaandigs, the Pulangion, and the Kulamanon in north-central Mindanao.

Jehan Kartini H. Andan, 22, from Tausug tribe, is a BS in Nursing graduate from University of Mindanao. “Jeh” is presently residing in Muslim Village, Barangay Ilang, Davao City. The Tausugs are not natives of Davao, but have long settled in just like the Maranaos. Tausugs are originally from the southernmost tip of the Philippines like Tawi-tawi and Jolo.

Fifteen-year-old Shenley Caba, from Ovu-Manobo tribe, of Dalag Lumot, Marilog District, Davao City, is a 4th year high school student of Dallag National High School. “Shen” dreams of becoming a teacher someday. Ovu Manobos are mostly found in the boundary villages of the third and second district, their original villages on the lower ranges extending upto the more isolated mountains of Southwest Cotabato. Ovu Manobo means Manobos from the (relative) lowlands.

From Maranao tribe, Ajema “Baby” Malatus, is a Bachelor of Secondary Education-major in English graduate from Davao Doctors College. This 21-year-old dreams of building a school for the less fortunate children. Maranaos are not original residents of Davao but are wandering traders of the Lanao provinces, specifically those residing around the Lanao Lake. Maranao means people of the lake.

Only one will crowned Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2012 on August 17. Before the final night, a pre-judging competition, which will showcase their cultural skills, is slated on August 15, at Gaisano Mall of Davao at 6 p.m.