Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner-up Venus Raj was proclaimed the new ambassador of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) Dayaw, the biggest gathering of indigenous Filipino culture. This year, it will be held in the province of Bulacan from November

27 to 29. Dayaw is an annual event happening in celebration of the National Indigenous People’s month.

“Napakaganda pong isipin na kahit papaano ay magiging instrument ako para ‘yung mga kabataan ay malaman kung ano ba talaga ang pinagmulan natin at ano ba talaga ang kultura natin [It is good to know that I can be an instrument that will show the youth our roots and culture],” Raj said in a press conference held on October 24 at the NCCA lobby.

As the Dayaw ambassador, Raj recalled her childhood experiences in Bicol. She said that it is an honor to be part of this cultural event since she herself is familiar with the activities of some of the country’s indigenous people.

“Maraming-maraming salamat kasi sa tingin ko naman po, isa po akong tunay, may dugo at katutubong Pilipina. Ako po ay lumaki sa Bicol, ang magulang ko po ay magsasaka. Nakita ko po sila na nag-aani ng palay at nagbabayo [Thank you very much because I consider myself, in my blood, a native Filipina. I grew up in Bicol and my parents are farmers. I watched them plant and harvest rice],” she explained.

NCCA’s Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA) commissioner Joycie Dorado-Alegre said that they easily agreed and never had doubts when Raj was suggested to be the face of Dayaw.

According to her, Raj is definitely an icon of Filipina beauty and is very ideal in representing the indigenous people of the Philippines and Dayaw.

“Kami po ay hindi talaga nagdalawang-loob, napansin naman ninyo na ang kanyang kayumangging balat ay kutis Pilipina [There was no doubt in choosing her, just with her dark skintone that is truly Filipina],” Dorado-Alegre said.

In relation to beauty, NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon Jr. stated the modern concept of beauty among many Filipinos is influenced by the western culture. He said that the color of the Filipino skin is beautiful and the Filipinos must be proud of it. He added that through Dayaw, Filipinos will appreciate and earn respect to their own culture.

“With Dayaw, I’m sure that we will begin to respect more our indigenous cultures. Kasi ipapakita dito ang galing ng Pinoy [This will show the capabilities of Filipinos],” de Leon Jr. said.

Dayaw 2012 will be attended by about 700 people from different indigenous communities in the Philippines. Indigenous groups such as Gaddang, Isinay, Tinggian, Itneg, Ibanag, Yogad, Itawit and malaweg, among others will be participating.

Sonny Cristobal, Dayaw 2012 festival director, also graced the press conference along with NCCA’s Vice head of the Northern Cultural Communities Antonio Cayyog and Head of Southern Cultural Communities Al-Anwar Anzar.

This year, Dayaw is guided by the theme “Katutubong Pamumuhay, Halawan ng Aral sa Buhay.”
For more details, contact Renee Talavera, head of the NCCA- SCCTA Section at 527-2192 loc.
502, or Rene Napeñas, head of the NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office at 527-5529 or 0928-5081057. E-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our Web site at www.ncca.gov.ph.