HIYAS SA KADAYAWAN CULTURAL PRESENTATION: A Highlight of Beauty, Life, Arts, and Culture
The 11 candidates of Hiyas sa Kadayawan representing the tribes of Sama, Maguindanaon, Iranun, Ata, Bagobo K’lata, Tausug, Kagan, Obu Manuvu, Tagabawa, Matigsalug, and Maranao exhibited their talents in singing and dancing that showcased their rich culture and heritage.
ATA TRIBE
Edmalyn Macabilan Omo of Ata tribe performed Guting- a traditional way of the Atas to harvest upland rice. Also showcased during her performance is the Sayow to Salug is their tribe’s traditional way to separate the grains of the upland rice from the stalk and Panung-ow, their traditional way to find something to eat.
BAGOBO K’LATA
Stefanne Anne Luisen Alacaria performed their tribe’s myth of the man’s soul after death. According to the myth, there are two different kinds of souls – bad and good. The good soul is believed to manifest a shadow in the right hand which can only be seen through the light of the sun. Meanwhile, the bad soul has a dark shadow which is seen in the left hand. The good soul will enter the place of the dead which he/she will be entertained by Malibuya. On the other hand, the bad soul will remain on Earth and the spirit will become Busaw – the dream spirit that will cause nightmares and mental illness to tribesmen.
BAGOBO TAGABAWA
Hiyas sa Bagobo Tagabawa Jenfin Aguan presented the culture of her tribe through singing and dancing the music of the Bagobos. The theme of her presentation expresses about the beginning of the water as a source of life. She portrayed how people from the earlier years found out the importance of water and admired the life and culture of their tribe at the same time. She pleased the crowd with her performance which highlighted not only the richness of their culture, but also the talent of the Bagobo Tagabawa people.
MATIGSALUG
Gifer Joy Roldan, Hiyas sa Matigsalug, presented a cultural performance portraying a romantic story of Tatu and Micah. Micah is a daughter of the wise and great Datu Malu of Panganan, Salut River. Gifer, who portrayed as Micah, was a beautiful and obedient woman who was admired by a lot of men before. Her performance also includes the conflict wherein Micah was forced to marry another man instead of Tatu, the she loved the most. Later on, Tatu came to the wedding and fought for Micah. In the end, the two got married and lived a peaceful life.
OVU MANUVO
Hiyas sa Obu Manuvu, Mary Jane Eboc Maga performed a special dance with a lovable expression of a prince and a princess. This dance aims to show the people how to plant and harvest like what a real indigenous people is doing.
IRANUN
Hiyas sa Iranun, Norhana Dalao Macasi performed three different dances from her tribe. She performed Singkil which is the own interpretation of the Iranun tribe of the dance. The dancer will cross the bamboos stem with a graceful move and fierce expression. She also executed Kapranunwhich, a music piece using kulintangs. Lastly, she performed the Kene-Kene . It is a dance which depicts the different ways of folding a malong.
KAGAN
Hiyas sa Kagan, Jerlyn Maminto Mancia presented her tribe’s traditional way of marriage through Kinaway, reflecting their rich tradition and vibrant culture. It is celebrated by the family, friends and relatives of both couple while enjoying a festive music. Kinaway is usually done after arrangement of Dowry and other preparations or what they call Binungaday.
MAGUINDANAON
The Hiyas sa Maguindanao, Norhaynie Aguindarat Mohamad performed the life of Makia Babay, the most favoured daughter of the royal family of their very own tribe. Makia Babay is portrayed as person who loves dancing, singing and playing a traditional instrument, particularly Kulintang.
SAMA
Hiyas sa Sama, Joy Grace Orian Jihan, performed a dance and shared bits of the history of the Sama tribe. Jihan started her performance with facts about the name of their tribe which is said to be from the word “sama-sama” which means togetherness. She also played the conch which is an important instrument in their tribe. They use the conch as a warning of upcoming danger or for calling other members of the tribe to meet in one place. Jihan’s performance also showed the fishing culture of their tribe.
MARANAO
Hiyas of Maranao, Sittie Haya Lanto Cairoden performed a song and dance showing the rich culture of the Maranao tribe. Cairoden also played the Kulintang which is a trademark instrument of the Maranao people. She also executed Darangen – showcasing the bravery and knowledge of the Maranao tribe.
TAUSUG
Ainadhel Awang Blas, the Hiyas of the Tausug tribe presented their culture through the story of Dayang Dayang – Princess with the Tauman community in the seashores of Sulu. She also performed the Susulan Lupasup, a song about the land of Sulu.
SUCCESSFUL EVENT
Jenfin Puroc Aguan of the Bagobo Tagabawa tribe emerged triumphant in the cultural presentation. The Hiyas sa Kadayawan Cultural Presentation is an avenue for Dabawenyos to be informed and be educated regarding the rich culture, traditions and beliefs of the first 11 inhabitants of Davao City.
As Claro M. Recto Jr., a great Filipino statesman, once said, “Nationalism is nourished by a sense of history. It is of its essence to know profoundly the past, so that we may be in complete openness with the men who made that history and in intimate communion with their thoughts, their deeds, and their noble lives.”
