THE 10 Hiyas ng Kadayawan candidates showed the diverse cultural dances and
songs depicting their tribe's life during the Cultural Skills Showcase at
The Abreeza mall of Davao on Tuesday evening.
Vying for the "Best in Cultural Skills Showcase" were candidates Rahima
Usman from the Maranao tribe, Mia Rose Apadan from Kagan tribe, and Leah
Jane Benito of the Matigsalog.

Rahima Usman from the Maranao tribe was declared the "Best in Cultural
Skills Showcase" as she proudly performed the Muslim dance "singkil" -- a
dance recounting a princess ordeal in the forest.

She also gave her all as she made headway for making a melodic sound while
playing the "kulintang" -- modern term for an ancient instrumental form of
music composed on a row of small, horizontally-laid gongs.

Other candidates performed different cultural dances and songs as well.
Zarina Mangadta from Maguindanao tribe showed how they perform healing
through dancing, while Judelyn Ogos from the Tagbawa tribe performed a
Tagbawa wedding ritual, Chenee.

Hamid of the Sama tribe sang a love song depicting a woman's struggle in
choosing between two lovers in their dialect.

While both Norie Fe Licomes of the Klata tribe and Bernalin Mamboo of the
Ata Manobo tribe showed how their tribe give thanksgiving for a good harvest
by dancing and banging on a "batang" -- a tree trunk.

"This is the highlight of last night's event and we will be at the Davao
Recreational Center for the Coronation night," said Maria Felisa Marques,
Duaw Dabaw Foundation and Kadayawan sa Dabaw festival director.
She added they will provide a wide screen outside the center for those who
will not be accommodated inside.