KRISTINE Claire Tar, who represented the Bagobo-Klata tribe and was crowned the Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2023, intends to use his newfound status to revive their dying cultural practices.
Tar will focus on generating more interest in weaving, a dying practice within their tribe, as she dedicated her victory to their last weaver, Apo Rita.
“I am thankful to God and to my tribesmen sa ilang support (for their support). I promise na I will really fight and make my advocacy come to life, and really actualize it para dili lang sya diri nga words nako but actions also (so that it will not just remain as words but will turn into actions),” Tar said.
Tar recognizes the importance of education to empower the Lumads and sustain their culture as she plans to incorporate her advocacy to that of Ata Hiyas, Niña Mie Lausan which is education.
“Not only that but also their cultural conditions such as their language na slowly diminishing and sguro kana ang pagtuunan ng pansin man gud (and that is what should be prioritized). Dapat ibalik kay nindot jud sya, beautiful jud kaayo siya and sayang lang kung mawala na sa atoa (It has to be revived because it is beautiful, and if it is forgotten, it will be put to waste),” Tar said.
Tar stunned the judges in the Q and A portion with her winning response on how Hiyas sa Kadayawan empowered the women of Davao City during the coronation night at RMC Petro Gazz Arena on Aug. 17.
“Hiyas sa Kadayawan is a great avenue for us to show not only our strength as a tribe but to show as a woman that we are powerful, we have a voice, and that we are talented. The Hiyas sa Kadayawan is a showcase of different diversity, the unique beauties of the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes of the city. It is a way for us to showcase our uniqueness and our diversity, and I am an example of that. I, as a Hiyas, has experienced the great opportunity to show and share my voice in sharing my advocacy and my plans as a tribal youth president, and as a woman,” Tar said in her answer.
Tar told TIMES that everything felt surreal when her name was called as she was not expecting to bring home the crown.
Meanwhile, Erwin Adolfo, Bagobo-Klata deputy mayor said he is delighted that Tar won as it has been six years since one of them brought home the crown.
“She did all her best para irepresenta dili lang iyang kaugalingon, mahimo ming magmadaugon sa karong Hiyas…Makalipay kaayo dili lang para sa tribung Bagobo Klata, on behalf napud sa lima ka IP sector sa syudad sa Davao nga walay imposible og maningkamot ug magkahiusa ( to represent not only herself, making us victorious for tonight’s Hiyas. I am delighted not only for Bagobo-Klata but also for the five IP sectors of the city, nothing is impossible as we work hard and unite),” Adolfo said.
Tar received P150,000 cash prize. Meanwhile, Juhanah Sultan, Maranao Hiyas was hailed as Hiyas sa Panaghiusa and received P100,000, and Althea Asnawi of Taosug was Hiyas sa Kalambuan and received P80,000.
