Saturday, August 23, 2008 K'lagan gem shines By Grace L. Plata
SHE describes herself as easygoing and fun-loving.
Julfa Joven, the 2008 Hiyas sa Kadayawan, is just like any other 20-year-old girl except that she strictly adheres to the tenets of the Islamic faith, which means, fun is just plain fun.
Joven can be viewed as a contradiction of sorts. While she loves malling and every modern gadget at hand, she is conservative when it comes to matters of the heart.
She says she is somewhat willful and follows her own decisions but when it comes to the man she will someday marry, she is obedient to the wishes of her parents who wants her to marry someone of the same faith.
"Payag naman ako sa buya (arranged marriage) because I think my parents will not choose somebody I would not like. But mas okay 'yung ako talaga ang pipili. Takot talaga ako sa parents ko. I do not want to disappoint them," said Joven, who is fondly called "Bi" which means "palangga" or "love" by family and friends.
The eldest of three, Joven is the only girl among the siblings but she said that her younger brothers are more mature and protective of her that she feels like she's younger.
Joven finished both high school and elementary in Wa-an's public schools but got her Elementary Education Degree majoring in English at the Ateneo de Davao University in March of 2007.
At present, she teaches Grade 2 English classes at Wa-an's public elementary school.
She said she has no problem with teaching, as she loves children. She also loves music. Proof of it is that she plays the kulintang, agong, and drums.
For her community project, which will be funded by a private institution as part of her prize, Joven said she aims to conduct special classes that would teach fellow K'lagans and other tribes to play indigenous instruments.
"Most Muslim youth my age do not really know how to play those instruments. I aim to change that as a way of preserving our culture," Joven said.
Joven added that she is thankful for the opportunities that have come along her way and that girls in her tribes are now enjoying more space to grow in.
"Girls now have the opportunity for education. I am thankful that the K'lagans who are known academics among tribes have come to see the importance of educating the girls," she said.
As the second K'lagan to win the Hiyas crown, Joven says she is doubly proud. Last year's Hiyas was also from the K'lagan tribe. K'lagans are real natives of Davao -- the original dwellers along the shores of Davao Region.
"Let us show to others what we are capable of. Our culture is very colorful and we must preserve it as our forefathers have done before us," Joven said as an ending message to all indigenous peoples of Davao.
