Pageant bets can use English in Q&A

THIS year's Hiyas sa Kadayawan candidates are allowed to use English language during the question and answer portion of search's final night slated on August 17, organizers said.

Sonny Conception, production manager of Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2012, in Thursday's I-Speak forum held at the City Hall, told reporters that each of the 10 Hiyas finalists has to introduce herself and answer the judges' question in their native dialect then translate it to English.

"Dili nato na sila pagbawalan na mag English, kay bisag mga lumad ni sila, mga kolehilaya man pud kasagaran sa ila ug mga naka eskwela pud (We will not bar them from using English language since even if they are lumads, they have also attended schools)," Conception said.

Conception said most of the finalists are attending schools and some have already graduated from college.

He said even if Hiyas finalists will deliver their answer also in English, that won't alter the whole idea of their answers.

On Thursday, the 10 Hiyas finalist were presented before the media for the first time before the final night next week.

The 10 finalists vying for Hiyas sa Kadayawan are: Analine Mansabid of the Matigsalog tribe; Ajema Malatus -- Maranao; Belle Colleen Bato -- Bagobo K'lata/Giangan; Emierita Bogcal -- Ata ; Elemia Hussin Sailadin -- Sama; Hannah Catucag -- Kalagan; Jamayla Angela M. Cabale -- Bagobo Tagabawa; Jean Ali -- Maguindanaon; Jehan Kartini Andan -- Tausog, and Shenley Caba -- Obo-Manuvu.

Before the final night, a pre-judging competition, which will showcase the candidates’ cultural skills, is slated on August 15, at Gaisano Mall of Davao at 6 p.m.