Embodying Culture and Identity: Meet the 11 Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2025 Candidates

Davao City – August 1, 2025 — A dazzling celebration of heritage, identity, and advocacy came to life as the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) formally introduced the 11 official candidates of Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2025 during a media presentation held at the Acacia Hotel in Lanang.

Representing the 11 ethnolinguistic groups of Davao City, each candidate is not only a cultural ambassador of her tribe but also a young advocate for preservation, empowerment, and unity. This year’s Hiyas sa Kadayawan transcends the idea of a traditional pageant—it’s a platform to honor Indigenous knowledge, promote cultural education, and empower communities.

“These young women are not just queens of beauty and grace—they are champions of culture and agents of change,” said the CTOO in a statement. “Their advocacies reflect the values that Kadayawan stands for—diversity, identity, and the enduring spirit of our people.”

Voices of Culture and Advocacy

Each Hiyas sa Kadayawan candidate brings a unique story and advocacy rooted in her people’s customs, challenges, and hopes. From Indigenous education and ecological wisdom to women’s empowerment and mental health, their campaigns are testament to the growing intersection of tradition and innovation.

Meet the 11 cultural gems vying for the Hiyas sa Kadayawan crown:

1. Hiyas sa Ata – Jovie Otahi
   Advocacy: Strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ Education in Pacquibato by Supporting Tribal Leaders.
2. Hiyas sa Bagobo Klata – Jozelle Lanciano
   Advocacy: Promoting Cultural Literacy through “Tingog sa Tribu” – a fusion of cultural heritage and digital music.
3. Hiyas sa Bagobo-Tagabawa – Catherine Kate Oda
   Advocacy: Rooted in Land – Preserving Traditional and Ecological Knowledge on Farming.
4. Hiyas sa Matigsalog – Angeline Mailanyag
   Advocacy: Empowering Communities Through Generational Cultural Practices.
5. Hiyas sa Obu-Manuvu – Jelah Chiara Laidan
   Advocacy: Teaching Indigenous Children Basic Knowledge and Skills About Their Culture.
6. Hiyas sa Iranun – Johara Doronan
   Advocacy: Reconnecting the Youth to Their Cultural Roots.
7. Hiyas sa Bangsa-Kagan – Jovailyn Magarang
   Advocacy: “Light the Fire, Pass the Flame” – A Movement of Pride, Preservation, and Prosperity.
8. Hiyas sa Maguindanaon – Sittie Hasmine Sultan
   Advocacy: Empowering Women Through Cultural Dance and Music.
9. Hiyas sa Maranao – Sittie Norhanna Sangcaan
   Advocacy: Integrating Maranao Cultural Arts Through Art Therapy.
10. Hiyas sa Sama – Aniza Bankungan
    Advocacy: Sharing and Promoting Cultural Education Among the Youth.
11. Hiyas sa Tausug – Fatima Zahra Bassal
    Advocacy: “Wear our Culture” – Teaching and Encouraging Youth to Embrace Traditional Clothing.

These platforms not only aim to preserve rich cultural traditions, but also to empower women, youth, and marginalized sectors through creative, educational, and sustainable initiatives.

Cultural Showcases and Coronation

The Hiyas sa Kadayawan Cultural Presentation will take place on August 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM at SM City Davao – Annex Event Center, where candidates will present their culture through song, dance, attire, and story.

The much-awaited Grand Coronation Night will follow on August 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the USEP Gymnasium and Cultural Center.

As Davao City gears up for the Kadayawan Festival, the Hiyas sa Kadayawan continues to shine as a beacon of diversity, pride, and resilience.

Kini ang Hiyas sa Kadayawan, Kini ang Kadayawan! 💫