Mutya ng Dabaw 2010 Screening Tougher than a Presidential Candidate's Forum

 

If only we choose our politicians the way we choose our Mutya ng Dabaw, we'd probably have better officials leading us.  Because the screening to select the top 15 finalists for Mutya ng Dabaw 2010, which  started last Friday, February 19, was tougher than a presidential candidate's forum.

 

The whole day screening process had the Mutya candidates wearing their best job interview outfits and natural look (meaning no make-up) and facing a diverse panel of judges asking questions ranging from their advocacy projects to their opinions on the Maguindanao massacre. And all 32 candidates intelligently and candidly answered every question thrown at them without losing their composure (which cannot be said for most politicians).

 

Indeed, Mutya ng Dabaw 2009 Resci Angeli Rizada, a registered nurse who graduated summa cum laude from San Pedro College, inspired a lot of beautiful, brainy young women to cross over from oratorical contests, debating competitions, and quiz shows to Mutya ng Dabaw. The qualifications of the 32 candidates who trooped to Oroderm Hotel last Friday proved to be greater than those running for office in the local elections in 2010. Most of the women graduated with honors, received leadership awards, held top positions in their respective organizations, implemented various community projects, and represented our city to various competitions here and abroad.

 

These young Davaoeñas are all articulate and very opinionated with strong feminist views. Some of the candidates admitted that they are fulfilling their mothers dreams of becoming Mutya ng Dabaw and that they were convinced to join because it is no longer just a beauty contest like the others. All candidates were drawn to the idea that the Mutya ng Dabaw can be a vehicle where they can continue their advocacy and community projects. They look forward to the project grant more than the cash prize they will get for themselves.

 

So it is no surprise that we find an industrial engineer of a multinational corporation, a magna cum laude BS Math major, another magna cum laude nursing graduate who is willing to quit her job as a flight attendant because she believes realizing her community project as Mutya would be more meaningful, a young GABRIELA activist who dreams of becoming a lawyer, and a reigning Mutya ng Davao Oriental and niece of our majority floor leader as among this year's Mutya ng Dabaw hopefuls.

 

On Thursday, February 25, the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolt, the best 15 of the 32 hopefuls will be presented during a program at the NCCC Mall of Davao in Ma-a. Those who will not make it to Mutya ng Dabaw 2010 can always run for City Councilor or Congress Representative in the next elections (they have to be 40 to qualify for the presidency). After all, our judges have interviewed them and they are more qualified than those running in this year's elections. #