Beyond the Crown: Mutya ng Davao's Impact on Women's Rights and Advocacies

The Mutya ng Davao pageant is a celebration of the independence, intelligence, strength, and power of Dabawenyas. Founded by former Davao City Mayor Elias B. Lopez in 1969, it is far from being a mere beauty contest. As Lopez said, it is a "search for the symbol of our hopes and aspirations as Dabawenyos, represented by the beauty and character of our ideal woman."

The pageant has become one of the most anticipated events during the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations, where a new Mutya is chosen every March. The first official Mutya ng Davao, Rachel Arkoncell, was crowned in 1969. Since then, the pageant has become a symbol of bravery, optimism, and love towards others and oneself.

The Mutya ng Davao pageant is not driven solely by physical appearance and aesthetics but by a Dabawenya's intellect, compassion, and substance. The Women's Code (City Ordinance 5004 of 1997) is in place to ensure the implementation of gender-responsive policies for the protection and promotion of women's rights and welfare. It protects women from being objectified and used for one's sexual desire.

The Mutya ng Davao pageant is a representation of Davao's diverse culture, where the advocacy of the candidates range from environmental concerns to children's rights, empowerment, and gender-sensitive issues. The candidates' advocacies become a representation of themselves throughout the pageant.

Unlike other beauty contests, the search for Mutya ng Davao does not have a swimsuit portion. This is in accordance with the Women's Development Code of Davao City, which protects women from being a sexual commodity or from being manipulated and used for one's sexual desire.

On March 17 at USEP Gymnasium, the top thirty candidates who were officially picked during the semi-final stage at Abreeza Mall on Wednesday, February 15, will vie for the title of Mutya ng Dabaw 2023.

A look at some of the official fifty attractive contenders that are competing for the position of next Mutya Ng Dabaw. The event was held on February 4th, 2023 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao. On February 15, 2023, at two o'clock in the afternoon, there will be a selection event for the top 30 candidates that will take place in Abreeza Mall.

As part of the promotional efforts for the upcoming 86th Araw ng Dabaw, the official candidates for this year's Mutya Ng Dabaw appeared on the fourth episode of Madayaw Davao.