THE candidate of Tagabawa tribe was crowned this year's Hiyas sa Kadayawan.
Jenfin Puroc Aguan bested 10 other entries during the search held at the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) gym.
Crowned Hiyas ng Panaghiusa or runner-up was Jerlyn Maminto Mancia of the Kagan tribe, the only Muslim tribe from the top three, while the Hiyas ng Kalambuan title went to Gifer Joy Roldan Aguio of the Matigsalug tribe.
The statement, "It's not the only the beauty of the flora but also in how you know and how you love and express your culture," was part of the winning answer of Aguan in the final question and answer portion where each Hiyas was asked to interpret the picture shown to them.
Aguan was shown a picture of the waling-waling plant, one of the city's icons.
Maminto, meanwhile, also got the second place after she likened Mt. Apo to Dabawenyos who remain united and resilient.
"We Dabawenyos aim high and soar high for the progress of the city together we unite, with the eleven tribes of Davao city and resilient through the test of times," she said.
The answer bested Aguio who interpreted the photo of a lumad woman working as a form of independence of women in their tribe to find means to survive and help their family.
Aguan, in an interview after winning the contet, was thankful and happy for her achievement.
"Ihatag nako ang success sa akong tribe karon napud namo nakuha, dugay dugay napud namo ni wala nakuha mao ning happy jud ko, nahappy jud ko kay gihatag sa ginoo ang gusto nako makuha ug makamit karon (I give this success to my tribe because it's been a long time since we got this award and I am happy and thankful to God, because he gave want I want to achieve)."
Aguan said that she trusted God within the course of the pageant. She als wants to focus on her advocacies.
"Sa akong giingon gusto nako sugdan ug iimplement ang akong advocacy which naga-center siya for education. Gusto nako makatabang maskin gamay man lang because most of the people of younger generation sa amoang tribo they are married in a very young age (I want to implement my advocacy which is centered on education. I want to help even just a littel to my tribe becuase most of those who belong in the younger generation marry in a very young age)," Aguan said that she wants his fellow tribe members to have skills.
Aguan said that among the lessons she learned in joining the contest is to continue believing herself since that is the first step to make significant changes.
Tagabawa Deputy Mayor Sheirylle Uy Anino, in a media interview, said that she is thankful to all the members of her tribe for the success.
"As deputy mayor wala koy masulti, dili ma-explain sa akong kasingkasing akong gibati pagtawag sa akong tribo daghang salamat sa akong tribo tagabawa sa tanang suporta nga gihatag sa amoa through pila ka adlaw nga muabot ning coronation night and thank you pud sa atoang ginoo nga gi-bless niya ang tagabawa ug gihatag niya sa amoa ang korona (As deputy mayor I cannot say anything, I cannot explain what I feel in my heart when the name of our tribe is called. I want to give thanks to my tribe for all the support that they gave for how many days unitl the coronation night. I also want to say thanks to God that he bless the Tagabawa that he gave us the crown)," Anino said.
Aguan was also feted the best in cultural presentation.
Meanwhile, Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival director Gatchi Gatchalian said he was happy with the outcome of the event.
"Since maganda ang venue, mas maganda ang stage, na-feature talaga ang richness ng culture," he said.
Gatchalian also praised the representatives of the 11 tribes who gave their best in the course of the contest.