The Mutya Ng Dabaw 2025 and her court have taken their advocacy beyond their crowns, introducing “Tanum para sa Kaugmaon,” an Urban Gardening Workshop aimed at empowering women with practical knowledge on container gardening and food production at Balite Nature Farm on February 25, 2026.
More than symbols of beauty, Mutya ng Dabaw 2025 Rebekah Gail C. Celis, together with her court, Diwa ng Dabaw 2025 Dana Gabrielle B. Tautho, Pag-asa ng Dabaw 2025 Katriana N. Batu, and Patnubay ng Dabaw 2025 Angel Alicaba, emphasized that the initiative aims to equip women to embrace urban gardening as a pathway to livelihood and environmental stewardship.
“Katung coronation night, niingon ko didto na I cannot change the world alone, but if I cast a stone in the river then I can create ripples that can change the world. So, kani siya amoang ginabuhat diri, naga tanom mi og seed. Mao nani siya among stone na gi cast sa river para syempre, hinay hinay, anam anam mag bago pod ang atoang pananaw sa environment og ma help nato atoang mga constituents sa Davao City (During the coronation, I said that I cannot change the world alone, but if I cast a stone in the river then I can create ripples that can change the world. So, this is what we are doing here, we are planting seeds. This is the stone we cast into the river so that, little by little, our perspective on the environment will change, and we can help our constituents in Davao City),” Celis said.
The Mutya Ng Dabaw 2025 queens also provided the participants tote bags containing tomato, calamansi and eggplant tree seedlings, seeds of okra, pechay, kangkong, and tomato, along with 500 grams of vermicast, mugs and umbrellas from the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAGrO) and other sponsors.
Willenito P. Tormis Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), said that the initiative reinforced the vision that the Mutya ng Dabaw is not just for the show, they are queens with a purpose and mission.
“Atoang mga queens sa Davao, mga trabahante gyud ni sila. Dili lang sila normal na gi crown og queen tapos mupaso, dili. Once they are crowned, they have a mission, and also naa pod silay mga dako kaayo nga change na mahatag sa community (Our queens in Davao are really workers. They are not just normally crowned as queens and then pass by, no. Once they are crowned, they have a mission, and they will also bring a very significant change to the community),” he added.
Meanwhile, Lorelie B. Vallentos, Vice President of the Federation of the Buhangin Council for Women, encouraged Dabawenyos to begin planting using recycled materials, noting that there are many creative ways to grow food even in small spaces.
“Dako kaayong prebilehiyo alang kanamo tungod kay isip kababaihan sa Barangay Buhangin, dako kaayo mig nakatunan bahin sa urban gardening kay kini makahatag gyud og savings nga naa sa amoang panginahanglanon sa matag adlaw kay ang pag tanom, dako kaayo og kabahin, isip usa ka inahan, ginikanan og usa ka empowered woman sa Barangay Buhangin (This is a great privilege for us as women in Barangay Buhangin, we have learned a lot about urban gardening and it provides us savings that meet our daily needs. Planting plays a significant role, as mothers, parents, and empowered women in Barangay Buhangin),” she added.
The Mutya Ng Dabaw 2025, “Tanum para sa Kaugmaon” is a pioneering joint community activity, setting a precedent for future queens to work together in advancing advocacy projects beyond the coronation. CIO
Written by: K. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal
Photo by: J. Faelnar
