DABAWENYOS celebrate their uniqueness, cultivate their culture, and participate in the merrymaking of Kadayawan Festival, which has become the most-awaited yearly event in this part of the land.
And when one speaks of Kadayawan, the Hiyas ng Kadayawan, one of the highlights of the week-long festivity, comes to mind.
This is understandable. After all, the Hiyas ng Kadayawan is not just your ordinary beauty and brains contest, it is more dramatic than that for it is a competition, which focuses on the lumad lass' deep knowledge of her tribe and culture.
With the coronation set on August 20 for the first time at the newly-refurbished Davao City Recreation Center, also known as Almendras Gym, the Hiyas ng Kadayawan brings together 10 young ladies who represent each of the 10 Davao tribes.
"The Hiyas ng Kadayawan is an event that highlights the indigenous people. This is not about beauty and brains, but the ladies' knowledge of their culture. We have to trace back our indigenous roots," Oca Casaysay of the City Mayor's Office said.
Casaysay said the young ladies representing the 10 Davao tribes in this year's Hiyas event are knowledgeable of their culture.
"And whoever wins the crown she has to pay back to her tribe. The concept is very noble," Casaysay said in an apparent jab at critics who claimed that the Hiyas ng Kadayawan has become too commercialized.
Casaysay said when the 10 ladies take centerstage tonight at the Almednras Gym, he is certain that they will be representing their tribes well and that their tribesfolks will be there to provide moral support.
According to Casaysay, these ladies can sing and dance, and are capable of showcasing skills that depict the culture and tradition of their respective tribes.
"I can tell you they are not just beautiful, they are also very intelligent," Casaysay said.
The 10 ladies vying for the Hiyas ng Kadayawan crown are Jovelyn Mandahay (Ubu-Manuvu), Jalma Bete Mohamad (Kalagan), Nerbelyn Abdulhalim (Sama), Merazol Balido (Tagabawa-Bagobo), Aliah Heitz (Maguindanao), Charity Joy Matalum (Klata/Guiangan), Fatima Sharine Jadjuli (Tausug), Ronaliza Abing (Matigsalog), Mernadeth Sicutan (Ata) and Jamaila Usman (Maranao).
Eight of the 10 ladies were presented to the media at the Sangguniang Panlungsod grounds Monday in a program that officially kicked off the 25th edition of the Kadayawan festivity. The ladies are now busy with their rehearsals in preparation for the big show.
Casaysay said the judges tonight will be from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines, one from the media, and a politician whom he refused to name at the moment.
The two-hour long coronation night will feature songs and dances that depict the culture and tradition of the 10 participating tribes.