Cleia Tadena: The Eskaya girl with the golden voice

Retired hospital administrative staff Fidelito Digal Doria
 (second from right) with his nephew, US-based
insurance broker Andy Digal Doria and niece Fatima at
The Buzzz last May 23, 2019. 

Wake-uppers:

Seen: Sandra Jele, who represents Tagbilaran City, in Mutya Pilipinas 2019. The pageant night is on Aug. 18 at SM MOA Arena at 7 p.m.

Seen: Brian Klein Villapaz Fernandez, a graduate of the University of Bohol, held the 8th spot with a rating of 85.55 percent in the Physical Therapist Licensure Examination given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) last August 2019.

Scene: Lobocanon Fidelito Digal Doria, a retired hospital administrative staff at Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, passed away last Aug. 11. He was 62. Known to his friends as "Dodong", Sir Fedel was a wide reader (he was also a fan of The Bohol Chronicle) and a story-teller. The last time I met him was on May 23 this year when his nephew, US-based fashionista and insurance broker Andy Digal Doria and his sister Fatima visited him. So long Sir Fidel.

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The mountainous regions of Bohol hide one of the province’s well-kept mysteries—the Eskaya Tribe. But it also hide a young girl whose voice reverberates in the mountains, a lullaby for neighbors in a less visited place.  

Cleia Tadena from Eskaya Tribe in Taytay, Duero.
Photo: abs-cbn.com

Cleia Tadena, from the Eskaya Tribe in Taytay, Duero town brought her heritage to a wider audience when she joined "The Voice Kids Philippines,” the first in her tribe to share and charm the nation with her voice.

The Eskaya is an indigenous tribe found in the hinterlands of the towns of Duero, Guindulman, Pilar and Sierra Bullones, Bohol's southeast interior. The settlement of this tribe is at Biabas, Guindulman, established in the early 20th century by one Mariano Datahan. The tribe has its own distinct culture, literature, and language.

Cleia, a Grade 5 student at Taytay Elem. School, bagged the top spot in the provincial search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Kids for 2019 organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to recognize the performance of children belonging to the family beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The awarding ceremony was held last week at the Panda Tea.

Criste Tadena receives the award
on behalf of her daughter Cleia
who was the winner in the provincial
 search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Kids
for 2019 organized by the Department
 of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Photo: Leo Udtohan

Cleia, 10, is eldest of three siblings. Her younger sister, 6-year-old Cian and Ernie Jr, 2. His father, Ernie, 37, is a farmer while her mother, Criste, 29, is a housewife.

Cleia performed effortlessly “Oras Na” last Sunday’s episode of “The Voice Kids,” while delivering a fresh sound to those familiar with the lyrics. The three judges- Lea Salonga and Bamboo and Sara Geronimo- turned for her. But it isn’t just her stage presence captivating a crowd of followers. It’s her highly relatable, humble disposition as well.

Criste said Cleia likes singing when she was two years old. Her favorite songs were "My Heart Will Go On" of Celine Dion and "May Bukas Pa" by Rico J. Puno.

Criste narrated that when the family had TV, Cleia was curious to watch singing contests. She would ask her lola how to be inside the TV.

Years later, Cleia’s question was answered on TV last Sunday.

“Nalipay ko pag-ayo kay dili tanan bata makaabot ana,” Criste told VRS.

As she continues her journey in “The Voice Kids Philippines,”  Cleia's eyes are gleaming with excitement; her voice resonates with enthusiasm.

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