Biology student tops 2013 Mutya ng Dabaw talent tilt

A BIOLOGY student of Davao Medical School Foundation (DMSF) was adjudged best in talent among the 15 semifinalists vying for the Mutya ng Dabaw 2013 title.

Kristine Angeli Q. Estoque, 19, was at her best last Wednesday night when she played the kulintang, a single musical instrument composed of seven to eight gongs laid horizontally on a stand.

Standing 5’8” inches tall, Estoque said she learned playing it through her mentor Kuya Alex just last Friday.

"I did my best to do it. I want to try something new because I want to show that I appreciate other people's culture," she said in an interview after the talent night at the NCCC Mall.

The selection of the five grand finalists will be held in Abreeza Mall on February 27 starting at 5 p.m.

The coronation night, on the other hand, will be on March 2 starting at 6 p.m. at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Mutya ng Dabaw is handled by Duaw Dabaw Foundation Inc., one of the private partners of the City Government of Davao for this year's celebration.

Lisette Marques, festival director of Duaw Dabaw, said they set aside P5.2 million for the various events it will handle, including the opening program, Mutya ng Dabaw, Araw ng Dabaw Talent Competitions (Sayaw Pinoy, Saywan sa Da'n, Laban Labandz), and Hudyakaan sa Araw ng Dabaw.

She said the bulk of the budget goes to the screening, talent, prepageant and grand coronation night of Mutya ng Dabaw. (Arianne Caryl N. Casas)