‘Hiyas sa Kadayawan’ 2010 coronation on August 20!

The search for this year’s Hiyas sa Kadayawan will come to an end on August 20, 2010, 8 PM, at the Davao City Recreational Center (Almendras Gym). The coronation night will feature music and dances in a pageantry integrating the tribal folklores and folk stories of the ten tribes of Davao, namely Klata, Maguindanao, Kalagan, Ata, Maranao, Tagabawa-Bagobo, Tausug, Uvu-Manuvu, Sama, and Matigsalog.

The Hiyas sa Kadayawan, a tribal lass who epitomizes joy, bounty, simplicity and beauty, must possess pride of her indigenous heritage and must nurture the wisdom of her ancestors. As the chosen festival gem, she must carry the virtues of her people, who, through time and space have maintained their identity, dignity and collective memory.

The contestants will be judged according to the following criteria: Wisdom and Knowledge of her culture – 30%, Personality and Character – 30%, Cultural Skills – 30%, Community Support – 10%.

The winners of the various titles will win the corresponding prizes: Hiyas sa Kadayawan (Festival Gem) – PhP 50,000. 00, Hiyas sa Kauswagan (Gem of Progress) – PhP 40,000.00, Hiyas sa Tingusbawan (Gem of Fulfilled Promise) – PhP 30,000.00, and seven Hiyas sa Kaliwatan (Tribal Gem) – PhP 10,000.00

This year’s candidates of the Hiyas sa Kadayawan are Jovelyn Mandahay from the Uvu-Manuvu tribe, a student of Rizal Memorial Colleges; Jalma Bete Mohamad from the Kalagan tribe, a B.S. Nursing student of San Pedro College; Nerbelyn Abduhalim from the Sama tribe, a B.S. Nursing student of Davao Medical School Foundation; Merazol Balido from the Tagabawa-Bagobo tribe, an Education student of Davao Vision College; Aliah Heitz from the Maguindanao, a student of Davao Medical School Foundation; Charity Joy Matalum from the Klata/Guiangan, a Secondary Education student of North Davao Colleges; Fatima Sharine Jadjuli from the Tausug tribe, a B.S. CoE student of University of Mindanao; Ronaliza Abing from the Matigsalog tribe, a student of Mindanao Medical Foundation College; Mernadeth Sicutan from the Ata tribe, a B.S. Secondary Education stident of Rizal Memorial Colleges; and Jamalia Usman from the Maranao tribe, a B.S. Nursing of Davao Doctors College.

For more details, check out www.kadayawan.com or the official Facebook page: Kadayawan Festival 2010.