DAVAO CITY (PIA)- After two years of hiatus, a new Hiyas ng Kadayawan was finally crowned.

26-year-old Beauty Rose Gandarosa, representing bangsa Maranao was proclaimed as the Hiyas sa Kadayawan during the coronation night held August 27 at the RMC Petro Gazz Arena she succeeds Nuranie Ampatuan Datumanong, of bangsa Maguindanao who was crowned in 2019.

Nuranie is the longest serving Hiyas sa Kadayawan after the Kadayawan Festival was scrapped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an online celebration of the Kadayawan Festival in 2021 did not have a Hiyas ng Kadayawan pageant.

Also named as Hiyas ng Panaghiusa (Unity) is 25-year-old Alneza Bangasin of the Kagan tribe and Hiyas sa Kalambuan (Progress) is 21-year-old Krezyl Joy Ungab, representing the Bagobo Klata.

The Hiyas sa Kadayawan is an annual search for the distinctive indigenous lady knowledgeable of her own culture and wisdom as shown in a pageantry of Mindanaoan myths and legends. The event is an integral part of the yearly Kadayawan Festival.

Each of the 11 candidates of the Hiyas represents the 11 recognized ethnolingiustic groups in the city. The other candidates who vied for the 2022 Hiyas ng Kadayawan and are named as Hiyas sa Kaliwatan included: Emelyn Armodia (Ata), Leizly May Mendoza (Bagobo-Tagabawa), Dianaruth Campong (Matigsalug), Lady Ray Bangga-an (Obu-Manuvu), Erika Kandog (Iranun), Jiara Mae, Sakal (Maguindanao), Sitti Rohalmina Emani (Sama), Masaira Mendoza (Tausug).

Beauty Rose who is currently the program head of the tourism department, Philippine Women’s College will receive P100,000 in cash prize  alongside a customized crown. (PIA/RG Alama)