Friday, August 03, 2007 Hiyas won't perform functions for city By Grace L. Plata
THE lass who will be chosen as the next Hiyas ng Kadayawan will not perform any official functions for the city unlike her predecessors who had at one time or another represented the city by acting as tour guides for visiting dignitaries.
This is according to Richard Vilar of the City Tourism Office, which is the organizing body for the reformatted Hiyas ng Kadayawan. This committee, however, is chaired by Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz.
"She is a gem to represent the festival. That is why she is special and should not be asked to perform duties that do not befit the title," Vilar said.
This year's Hiyas candidates have to be representatives of the eight dominant local tribes showcased in the celebration.
Patricia Melissa Ruivivar, chief of staff of the City Mayor and member of the Kadayawan steering committee, said Wednesday that a candidate has to be a member of a tribe in order to represent it.
"How can you represent something you are not a part of? Kailangan ang Hiyas is well-versed on the tribe's history and culture. That is one of the main criteria," Ruivivar said.
The Hiyas ng Kadayawan competition was earlier announced to be excluded in this year's celebration as the city could not find anyone competent and willing to take on the task as stated by City Administrator Wendel Avisado.
City treasurer Rodrigo Riola, who is directly in-charge of all Kadayawan activities, said in Thursday's I-Speak forum that the steering committee has seen that "Hiyas ng Kadayawan" is truly a part of the celebration.
Riola said one of the considerations was funding but when the finance committee assured it can resolve the problem, the steering committee consented to push through with the holding of the competition.
