Ms. Gay Universe Pageant in Kadayawan will push through

AMID opposition by a city councilor representing indigenous peoples (IP), Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Monday the staging of the 1st Miss Gay Universe Pageant, an accredited event of the 2012 Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival, will push through on Friday.

City Councilor Berino Mambo-o, Indigenous People's representative to the City Council, had earlier lambasted the pageant saying it has nothing to do with the "real essence of Kadayawan," which is a celebration of culture and tradition.

But Duterte-Carpio insisted that Kadayawan is a celebration that is open to all sectors of the society, from the IP to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

"Gusto lang nako ipasabot sa tanan nga ang (What I want people to know is that) Kadayawan is a festival of respect and tolerance," the city mayor said.

She pointed out the Ms Gay Universe is not an official event of the Kadayawan and that the city has nothing to do with it.

Mambo-o, for his part, said he is urging the organizers of the first Ms Gay Universe in Davao City to respect the celebration of the IP's culture during the Kadayawan festivities.

"Duna lang koy nakita na matamakan ang among katungod (I think the holding of the pageant will cause violation of our rights)," Mambo-o said.

He told reporters in an interview that he is not against the holding of the pageant, but celebrating Kadayawan is more on promoting the IP's culture and tradition.

"Para sa amoa, ang Kadayawan para sa pagpasibaw sa kultura og tinuod nga tradisyon (For us, Kadayawan is about upholding both culture and tradition of the IPs)," he said.

Mambo-o also said he does not oppose the pageant as long it is not held simultaneously with the Hiyas sa Kadayawan finals on August 17.

Duterte-Carpio said she respects Mambo-o's sentiment, saying that everyone in entitled to his own opinion.

But she said she will ensure that pageant participants abide by the proper dress code.

She said Ms Gay Universe contestants are not allowed to wear two-piece and sexy outfits during the pageant; much like the Mutya ng Dabaw and Hiyas ng Kadayawan does not feature skimpy attires.

Event organizer Ramonito "Diding" Lopez, speaking in Monday's Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao, said the staging of the gay beauty pageant is more of promoting unity in the city.

"The city mayor has spoken acceptance and tolerance," he said.

Lopez said they are hoping to increase the awareness of the people on the rights of the LGBT through the pageant.

Organizers of the pageant also invited Mambo-o to witness the Ms Gay Universe pageant on August 10 at Davao City Recreation Center (formerly Almendras Gym).

Mambo-o said he will attend the pageant.

Meanwhile, while City Mayor Duterte-Carpio is ensuring that the festivity does not discriminate against anyone just because of their sexuality, she warned politicians against using the festival to forward their political agenda.

In Monday’s regular press briefing, she urged politicians to keep their politicking away from the festivities although invitations were sent out to them.

She also said that politicians, who will visit the city, may bring with them their armed escorts provided the latter are in complete uniform.

The mayor said she would also expect the attendees to refrain from doing premature campaigns during their visits here.

"Siguro madyahe naman siguro ka kung first time pa lang gani nimo diri sa Dabaw, mangampanya na dayon ka (I believe they too will feel awkward to campaign when it’s their first time to visit the city)," the mayor said.

Among those who confirmed their attendance in the three key events of this year's Kadayawan are Representative Jack Enrile and representatives from Cebu province and Valenzuela City.

Kadayawan's three major events of Kadayawan are the Hiyas sa Kadayawan, Pamulak (Floral Float Parade), and Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan (street dancing competition).