MORO candidates of the Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2017 wanted to take the pageant as an opportunity to send message to the public that not all Muslims are terrorists amid the ongoing Marawi crisis.
Sittie Haya Cairoden of Maranao Tribe said, “I would like to take this opportunity to tell the public that not all Muslims, especially the Maranaos, are like them [terrorists]. We have the same religion which is the Islam, but we have our own beliefs and they also they have also their own ideology with our religion.”
Cairoden said that chaos is inevitable and wanted to use technology as well as the social media as a platform to advocate for peace.
“As Maranao, gusto ko lang ipaalam yong saloobin ko about sa nangyayari ngayon, we Marano are being bullied, being look down by others because of our culture and faith in our tribe. If we respect each faith, tradition and norms then we can attain peace and attain strong nation,” she said.
Jerlyn Mancia of the Kagan Tribe, for her part, acknowledges the common notion of the public among Muslims and one of her advocacies is to change it.
“I do believe, akong pag-apil sa Hiyas ng Kadayawan (my participation in Hiyas sa Kadayawan) is not only representing the tribe and myself, it’s representing our culture, our tribe and what our tribe can do to spark difference in the community as well as the nation,” Mancia said.
Mancia said, as an agent of peace and a former officer of Kabataan Youth for Peace, she wanted to influence the youth who are susceptible to wrong ideology to become a peace-loving citizens.
Other candidates are Edmalyn Omo-Ata Tribe, Stefanne Ann Alcaria- Bagobo-K'lata Tribe, Jenfin Aguan-Bagobo-Tagabawa Tribe, Gifer Joy Aguio-Matigsalug Tribe, Mary Jane Maga-Obo Manuvu Tribe, Norhana Macasi-Iranun Tribe, Norhaynie Aguindarat Mohamad, Joy Grace Orian Jihan-Sama Tribe and Ainadhel Awang Blas-Tausug Tribe.
Security preparations
According to Public Safety and Security Command Center head retired General Benito de Leon, they have tripled their effort to ensure the safe staging of the coronation night of Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2017 to be held at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym on August 18.
In previous years, it was usually held at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center, however, due to its limited space, the City Government decided to move the venue to the University of Southeastern Philippines Gymnasium and Cultural Center to accommodate a huge number of people.
Around 23 law enforcement agencies have coordinated including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Central 99, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coast Guard and among others.
The Kadayawan Festival, de Leon said, has more stringent measures compared to the Araw ng Dabaw last March with the declaration of Martial Law and the current threats posed by the lawless armed groups.
De Leon also assured the public that security officers are on top of the peace and order situation.