A CULTURAL festival as big as Kadayawan sa Dabaw is never complete without showcasing the beauty and talent of muses representing various tribes considered as original settlers of the area, especially in Davao City where there are 11 tribes all living in harmony and peace.
Generose Tecson, Davao City Tourism Operations Office head, said these muses will represent their tribes during the Hiyas sa Kadayawan, an annual search where candidates not only display thier wits and beauty, but also their advocacy, particularly in the preservation of their culture and heritage.
The Hiyas is always a part of the Kadayawan so that every representative of the tribe can be given a platform to showcase her tribe's culture, tradition and language. This event is one of the most watched and sought after during the Kadayawan.
"The Hiyas is our symbolic Festival Gem, she's the one who, up to the present, is knowledgeable about her culture, tradition and language," Tecson said.
Not only that, it is also during this occasion where all of the tribes' representative can promote their advocacies for the advancement of the goals and aspiration of each of their tribe.
True enough, Hiyas sa Kadayawan representing the Kagan tribe Jerlyn Maminto Mancia wants to strengthen the indigenous peoples' transmission of their holistic culture, music and tradition which she also vowed to preserve.
"I plan to hold an annual ‘Pasundayag sa Kagan’ wherein mag-gather ang tanang Kagan sa tanang komunidad para among mapakita sa tanan ang mga food, styles and textiles, clothing and ang musicality namo (Kagans in the community will be gathered to showcase our food, lifestyle, textiles and music)," Mancia said if ever she wins in the competition.
Hiyas sa Kadayawan Ata tribe representative Edmalyn Omo, however, wants to instill the value of education to the Ata youth so that her tribe continues to produce Ata professional educators in the future.
“I want to serve as an instrument for development in developing communities,” she said when asked about her aspiration in life.
The Hiyas sa Kadayawan is also an opportunity for the Muslim tribes to share their sentiments regarding discrimination and labeling.
Maranao tribe representative Sittie Haya Cairoden, for instance, shared during the Hiyas sa Kadayawan Media Presentation, that the annual search serves as an opportunity to air her side on bullying against minorities, like her tribe.
"Maranaos are being bullied, being looked down upon by others, because of our culture, our faith. But if we respect each faith, tradition and norms, then we can attain peace and a strong nation," she said.
Know more about their advocacies and wits during the search's finals and coronation night on August 18 at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym.