The Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) introduced the 11 Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2025 candidates during a media gathering on Friday. Each candidate represents one of the city’s 11 ethnolinguistic groups, embodying their vibrant culture and heritage.
More than a pageant, Hiyas sa Kadayawan is a celebration of cultural identity, unity, and tradition, held annually as part of the Kadayawan Festival.
During the launch, the candidates shared their advocacies, which center on cultural preservation and fostering awareness among the youth about their roots.
The candidates’ advocacies are also anchored on cultural education that seeks to incorporate indigenous traditions and practices to the existing educational system.
Several of the Hiyas candidates also eye the incorporation of their music, arts, and crafts for youth and women empowerment, and mental health.
For the Hiyas candidates, these advocacies not only seek to ensure that their culture and traditions are preserved and passed on to the next generation, but also empowers all sectors of their community while taking advantage of the existing innovations.
The Hiyas sa Kadayawan candidates will showcase their cultural presentations on August 9 at the SM City Davao, followed by the coronation night on August 14 in USEP Gymnasium and Cultural Center. CIO