THE RMC Petro Gazz gymnasium became the stage for the most prestigious competition among the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes of Davao City last Thursday evening, August 17, as the 11 Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2023 contenders stepped into the spotlight. With their respective tribe to cheer them on, each candidate stood before the huge crowd proudly sharing a peek of their culture and tradition.
These devoted young women shared more than we thought, for they all have one thing in common and that is their dedication to maintaining their culture and tradition by teaching and passing on long-forgotten rituals to the following generations.
Each candidate spoke about their causes and how Hiyas sa Kadayawan gave them a platform to voice the problems and issues that their tribe faces.
Hiyas sa Maguindanaon Ruhaina Utto, for example, expressed that her advocacy is the preservation and promotion of their rich culture and tradition by reconnecting to the roots and the beginning of their tribe.
While Niña Mie Lausan of Ata tribe made sure to emphasize the significance of empowering the youth with "Kabataang Katutubo ay pag-asa ng lupang ninuno campaign".
Lausan said that this competition is a way for passionate individuals like her to show how rich and diverse her culture is and it is also a platform for her to show people how she can exceed the expectations of others.
Kristine Claire Tar, a representative of the Bagobo-Klata tribe, spoke passionately about the significance of Hiyas sa Kadayawan.
"Nakita naku na ang [I see the] Hiyas sa Kadayawan is a very good or important platform for myself as a ‘hiyas’, as an advocate kay [because] you are given a voice to share your concerns, the problems within your tribe and not only within your tribe but also to other communities as well, to other tribes as well," she said in a phone interview.
Tar's advocacy is focused on maintaining the Bagobo-Klata cultural heritage and livelihood initiatives as well as reviving the prized craft of weaving their ancestors' famed "Naw'wo" Abaca tapestry.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Bagobo-Tagabawa candidate Edmary Quinto.
Quinto regarded the competition as a platform for action and a place to support her causes, regardless of the outcome.
Her goals included strengthening their culture and customs, uniting her tribe for future generations, maintaining traditional weaving, and rekindling youth interest in this form of art.
"This is a great opportunity and privilege for me to use this platform to implement my advocacy whether manalo man ako or hindi [I win or lose]," Quinto said.
Hessa Sailabi, speaking for the Sama tribe, stayed strong amid this tangle of ambition. She desired to communicate to the younger generation the value of preserving their history.
Sailabi emphasized the importance of her advocacy in bringing attention to the vanishing traditions that preserve the spirit of "sama-sama" or togetherness from the past to the present, noting the significant differences between today's generation and previous ones.
"That's why I join ko sa Hiyas na gusto naku na mapermente ang amoang practices [I want to make our practices permanent)," Sailabi said.
For her part, Juhanah Sultan of the Maranao tribe regarded the contest as a special chance to promote a critical topic - safety and security. She declared with steadfast resolve, "The Hiyas sa Kadayawan gives me a unique opportunity to reach a large audience and raise awareness about this important issue."
Sultan's focus was funneled through activities like community forums and covered subjects including workplace safety, crime prevention, and cyber security.
Unlike conventional pageants, Hiyas sa Kadayawan embraces a grander purpose: to identify the epitome of a modern Dabawenya, a representative who embodies unity and celebrated the rich tapestry of ethnic diversity.
The candidates for this year's Hiyas sa Kadayawan are Althea Aswani of Tausug, Hessa Sailabi of Sama, Juhanah Sultan of Maranao, Ruhaina Utto of Maguindanaon, Maimuna Pangcoga of Kagan, Johara Buissan Itanun of Iranun, Princess Ericka Pagayao of Obu-Manuvu, Angelie Benito of Matigsalug, Edmary Quinto of Bagobo-Tagabawa, Kristine Claire Tar of Bago-Klata, and Niña Mie Lausan of Ata.
However, only one name resonated among the crowd during the coronation night and that was Tar of the Bagobo-Klata as she was pronounced as the Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2023.
Her winning answer to the question "How does Hiyas sa Kadayawan empower women of Davao City?" cemented her way to the crown.
"Hiyas sa Kadayawan is a great avenue for us to show not only our strengths as a tribe but only to show as a woman that we are powerful, that we have a voice, that we are talented," Tar said.
Meanwhile, Tar's royal court are Hiyas sa Panaghiusa 2023 Juhanah Sultan of the Maranao tribe and Hiyas sa Kalambuan 2023 Althea Asnawi of Taosug.
The winners receive P150,000, P100,000 and P80,000, respectively. The Paragon of Cultural Presentation was awarded P10,000, and the eight Hiyas sa Kaliwatan receive P25,000. RGP