12 Mindanaoans vie for Hiyas sa Kadayawan '06

Sunstar Davao
August 5, 2006

A TOTAL of eight Dabawenyos will compete against candidates from Zamboanga, Tagum, and Koronadal cities for this year's Hiyas sa Kadayawan. After rigid screenings and interviews all over Mindanao, 12 candidates have finally been chosen to vie for the crown set on August 16, 7 p.m. at the SM City Davao Entertainment Plaza.

This year's candidates are: Voltaire "Jam" Millanes (21, 6'0, single, registered nurse, Davao City), Nancy Blanco (19, 5'4", single, student, Zamboanga City), Rachel "Ray" Ann Nanette Patugan (21, 5'5", single, accountancy graduate, Davao City), Kristine "Kitten" Grace Maambong (23, 5'8", single, graduate, Davao City), Cindy Tarzona (18, 5'4", single, student, Tagum City), Christian "Punk" George Morales (19, 5'11", single, student, Koronadal City), Eleanor "Nol" Albaladejo (24, 5'8", married, bartender, Davao City), Zahra Mustafa Salim "Sam" Al Bayouk (20, 5'5", single, nursing graduate, Davao City), Vida Maya Ko (21, 5'6", single, executive assistant, Davao City), Sergio Venuti (18, 6'1", single, student, Davao City), Leny "Lhen" Arceo (19, 5'7", single, student, Davao City) and Karen Joyce Pañanueva (18, 5'6", single, student, Davao City).

Criteria for the competition are as follows: Ability to promote the objectives of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw festival, its theme and lingering culture of peace in Mindanao -- 30%, Ability to project and promote the fashion-related industries -- 30%, Physical attributes that are enthralling and deserving of a second look -- 20%, Ability to project a culture that is Mindanaoan -- 10%, and Deportment -- 10%.

Hiyas sa Kadayawan winners will receive the following prizes: P50,000 -- Hiyas sa Kadayawan; P40,000 -- Hiyas sa Lumadnong Kagikan; P30,000 -- Hiyas sa Kapaninguhaan; P10,000 for the two-runners up; and P5,000 each for the seven non-winning finalists; P2,000 -- Hiyas sa Kadayawan talent scout; P1,000 -- Hiyas sa Lumadnong Kagikan talent scout; P1,000 -- Hiyas sa Kapaninguhaan talent scout.

In preparation for the final selection, the selected twelve candidates will have their fashion and press presentation on August 12, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Gaisano South Citimall.

The Hiyas sa Kadayawan is a gender-free search for the Festival Symbol with Mindanaoan appeal to promote Davao City and Mindanao, its products and industries, particularly fashion, tourism and floriculture presented in a pageant, a fashion extravaganza juxtaposed with a tribal folklore.