The Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2026 unfolded as jewel of heritage, with 11 candidates stepping into the spotlight not to simply chase the shining crowns, but to carry the voices of their people, the pride of their cultural communities and the joy of unity in diversity.
City Councilor Myrna Dalodo Ortiz, delivering the message of Mayor Sebastian Duterte, said that the Hiyas sa Kadayawan is more than a showcase of beauty and culture as it is a platform to advance advocacies that preserve the city’s cultural tapestry and indigenous history for generations to come.
“As a diverse and vibrant community, Davao City, home to the 11 tribes ethnolinguistic groups, continue to stand as a shining example of unity in diversity. We are not just showcasing the unique beauty of our traditions, our rich cultural heritage, the distinctiveness of our languages and dialects and the richness of our customs but also emphasizing the very importance of promoting meaningful advocacies that help preserve this rich cultural tapestry of Davao City and our indigenous history for future generations,” he said.
On August 13, 2026, Davao City crowned three remarkable women, with Christine Faith Gawilan from the Matigsalug tribe emerging as Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2026. Gawilan is a teacher who vowed to dedicate her advocacy to documenting indigenous cultures and traditions.
“As a teacher, akoang iimplement ang akoang advocacy, dili lang sa akoang mga estudyante kung dili pati sa akoang mga kauban nga IP as well as Moro. Mag highlight pod mi sa amoang cultural video project nga about idocument ang amoang cultures and traditions para naay access ang musunod sa amoa. Dili na sila mag lisod pangita og mga resources para ma explain og maayo kung unsa gyud ang amoang kultura (As a teacher, I will implement my advocacy not only among my students but also with my fellow IPs and Moros. We will also highlight our cultural video project, which documents our cultures and traditions so that future generations will have access to them. This way, they will no longer struggle to find resources to properly explain and understand our culture),” she said.
Gawilan also received a cash prize worth Php 200,000, along with the PLDT Home Davao’s Choice Award and the Best in Project Proposal Video recognition worth Php 25,000.
The Hiyas sa Panaghiusa 2026 title was awarded to Bai Ayessa Mangansakan of the Bangsa Maguindanaon who received Php 150,000 while the Hiyas sa Kalambuan 2026 was awarded to Marziyah Channa Abinal of the Bangsa Meranaw, who also won the Smart People’s Choice Award, bringing home Php 100,000.
Best in Cultural Presentation was also awarded to Jamaica Prado of the Kagan tribe, with a Php 25,000 cash prize.
In recognition of the dedication of all candidates, the eight non-finalists were honored as Hiyas sa Kaliwatan, representing the Kagan, Bagobo-Klata, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Iranun, Sama, Tausug, Obu-Manuvu, and Ata tribes, each receiving worth Php 50,000.
For Gawilan, the crown symbolized more than a victory, it embodied a responsibility to lead through service that empower communities.
“Akong gipakita kay akoang gi dala dala ang amoang community. Kay kami tanan hawd man gyud ang eleven ethnolinguistic groups pero sa akoang sarili, akoang gi dala dala ang identity as a Matigsalug (I carry our community. Because all representatives of the eleven ethnolinguistic groups are truly skilled but as for me, I carry the identity as a Matigsalug),” she said.
“Maskin walay korona or title, dapat naa moy ginabuhat sa inyohang community (Even without a crown or title, you should still be doing something for your community),” Gawilan added.
As the lights dimmed on the Kadayawan stage, the queens of Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2026 stood not only as symbols of beauty, but as advocates carrying forward the legacy of Davao’s eleven ethnolinguistic groups into the future. CIO
Written by: N. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal
Photo by: J. Faelnar