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Historical Places in ARMM

A plebiscite was held in the provinces of Basilan, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Lanao del
Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Palawan, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat,
Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur; and in the cities of
Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, General Santos, Koronadal, Iligan, Marawi

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region located in the

Mindanao Island group of the Philippines that is composed of predominantly
Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan (except Isabela City), Lanao Del Sur,
Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own
government. The regional capital is at Cotabato City, although this city is
outside of its jurisdiction.

The ARMM previously included the province of Shariff Kabunsuan until July
16, 2008, when Shariff Kabunsuan ceased to exist as a province after the
Supreme Court in Sema v. Comelec declared unconstitutional the "Muslim
Mindanao Autonomy Act 201" which created it.

Wall of Intramuros, Sulu

Madi Mahat was fortifed by Spanish in 1876 and eventually became Jolo Walled City. This
also known as Spanish Brick Wall that served as Spanish Garrison of having 5 gates which
were all used as watch towers to monitor and to prevent the attack of the Sulu Warriors.

Malabang, Maguindanao
Execution site of Jose Abad Santos by the Japanese Army during World War II

Poon Tao Kong Marker, Sulu

Built as a reminder of the Chinese Relations with the Pre-Spanish Sulu people

Princess Asturias Fort, Sulu

A defences edifice of the Spanish Regime which became an American Headquarter. It
served as a dungeon for tortured Filipinos by the Japanese during World War II
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Festivals In ARMM

ALIWAN FESTIVAL

An Annual festival held at Star City Complex, Pasay City. This activity
gathers different cultural festival in the country where contingents competes in
Dance Parade, Float Competition and Beauty Pageant. This event begun in 2003,
dubbed, Mother of all Festival aimed to showcase the richness of different Filipino
cultures and heritage to the rest of the world. Consequently, the contingent aims to
promote their respective regions economy and tourism pride. The event is
organized by Manila Broadcasting Company and Cultural Center of the Philippines.

PHILIPPINE TRAVEL MART

This enables all regions in the country to showcase their tourism products
and services. Likewise, many regions has to promote its existing and potential
tourist destinations. Potential tourism areas will be showcased to attract tourist
investors to develop the areas. Region will have chance to display and exhibit their
tourism products and services so they can invite more tourist to come in the areas.
Thus, ARMM participation is imperative to showcase its own tourism wealth and rich
cultural heritage.

MEGUYAYA FESTIVAL (Upi, Maguindanao-December 19)

The term is a Teduray word meaning Merrymaking and Thanksgiving

This is a universal expression of thanksgiving for the triumphs, abundance,
prosperity or any form of blessing received. The word in a multi-cultural society
wherein different expressions or way of thanksgiving and merrymaking practices are
recognized and honoured . Amidst Upis triumphs, abundance and prosperity is the
conceptualization of Meguyaya Festival, Upians way of expressing gratitude for all
the bounties. Meguyaya is a three-week celebration which culminates every 22 nd of
December.

Meguyaya Festival was conceptualized sometime in 2004 purposely to

help boost the Tourism program of the municipality, and to serve as a window to
showcase the economic potential of the area such as; pleasant climate all year
round, wide agricultural lands, built-up areas, open grass land, forest land fall,
caves, manmade, lake springs, rivers and creeks; Marine and mineral products;
agricultural products, particularly corn, palay.

KARIYALA FESTIVAL (Wao, Lanao Del Sur) (February 22)

Kalilang and Kariyala both mean merrymaking and thanksgiving This

universal expression of thanksgiving for the triumphs, abundance, prosperity or any
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Festivals In ARMM
form of blessings received. The celebration of this is festival are similar to Lami-
Lamihan of Lamitan, Basilan and Meguyaya of Upi, Maguindanao.

KALILANG SA RANAO (Marawi City) (April 15)

A festival commemorating the charter anniversary celebration of Marawi

City Highlights of the festival are Quran Reading Contest, presentation of colorful
Muslim songs and dances, Islamic Quiz Bee, exhibits of Maranao crafts, native
delicacies, traditional games and musical instruments competition.

LAMI-LAMIHAN FESTIVAL (LAMITAN, BASILAN) (June 26-27)

A Lami- Lamihan is a yakan word means merrymaking, started in 1983, a

yearly festival celebrated un the town of Lamitan in Basilan province and showcases
the traditional Yakan customs and traditions, music, dances, and crafts that has long
been preserved.

Celebration of the event rekindles the native Yakans culture and diversity;
the gentle people of province of Basilan south of the Philippines Townspeople are
dressed in colorful costumes take part in horse races, parades, and other activities.

SEAWEED FESTIVAL (Bongao, Tawi-Tawi) (September 25)

This Festival is also called Agal- agal Festival (local name for carrageen
seaweed), Thanks
giving festivity for its good harvest (similar to Meguyaya). This week-long festivity is
celebrated every fourth week of September showcasing the regions economic
potentials, culture, costumes and tradition; with like activities such as; street
Dancing Parade and field demonstration; Trade fair, Regatta; Cultural Night
Presentation; Beauty Pageant; Environment Protection and Conservation Forum; and
to capped with is the conduct of business matching with ASEAN countries.

SHEIK KARIMUL MAKDUM FESTIVAL (Simunul, Tawi-Tawi) (November 07)

Sheik Karimul Makhdum Festival is celebrated in commemoration for his

good deeds for bringing Islam to the land. Sheik Karimul Makhdum is a 13 th century
Muslim missionary from Malaysia who established the first mosque in the
Philippines; the mosque is located in Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi.

Sheik Karimul Makhdum festival is a display of Muslim religion, culture and

tradition, similar to Shariff Kabunsuan Festival. This festivity is a very popular
among foreign and local tourists.

SHARIFF KABUNSUAN FESTIVAL (Maguindanao) (December 19)

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Festivals In ARMM
Shariff Kabunsuan Festival is a very significant event not only to
Maguindanao people Cotabato City and Region XII but to the whole Muslim
Mindanao. This colorful festival is a commemoration of the arrival of an Arab-Malay
missionary from Johore, Malaysia in the 16 th century, landed along the banks of
pulangi now known as Rio Grande de Mindanao. Shariff Kabunsuan introduced Islam
to the natives, which lead to the established of the Sultanates of Maguindanao,
Rajah Buayan and Kabuntalan.

LAMI-LAMIHAN FESTIVAL
2nd or 3rd Week of April - Lamitan, Basilan
A yearly festival coinciding with the founding of Lamitan Municipality; showcases the tradi
Yakan customs and traditions, music and dances, and traditional crafts.

December 31, 2008

The Festival
A yearly festival celebrated in the town of Lamitan in Basilan Province and
showcases the traditional Yakan customs and traditions, music, dances, and crafts
that has long been preserved.
Celebration of the event rekindles the native Yakans culture and diversity, the
gentle people of province of Basilan, south of the Philippines. Townspeople are
dressed in colorful costumes take part in horse races, parades, and other activities.
The perplexed Yakan hand-woven fabric symbolizes these people of unique culture
of the Basileos that goes along with the challenges of global modernity.
The festival brings to completion with traditional display of skills in Yakan music,
games, and Yakan hand-weaving competition. Authentic Yakan rituals are publicly
displayed the next day the peggunting or baptism, pegtimbang or weighing,
magtammat or graduation, and the pegkawin, the Yakan wedding as the main
attraction. It has been a tradition that these competition and activities be
distinguished as the highlight of the festival, sharing to the world the rich culture of
the Yakans.
It may be obvious to notice during the festival that elder competitors of the
traditional musical instrument competition are dominant in numbers, although
young maidens participate in the weaving competition of yakan.
Origin
Started in 1983, Lami- lamihan Festival has since held annually. The incumbent
official of the city inherit the tradition from the former mayor and the present
mayors uncle and continues to enrich the festival by showcasing and preserving
the Yakan traditions.
Facilities, amenities and attractions for tourists, livelihood assistance for the locals,
new commercial centers, transport terminal, road repairs and construction, and a
RORO seaport are among the infrastractures the city offers for the visitors comfort
during the event.
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Festivals In ARMM
The Scoop
A Yakan word the means merrymaking, Lamitan is also derived from Lami-lamihan.
Among th seven municipalities of the island-province, Lamitan is along Isabela,
Maluso, Sumisip, Lantwan, Tipo-tipo, and Tuburan.
In Succession
Lami-lamihan Festival today may seem predominantly populated by Christians,
probably since the apporval of the great Datu Kalun of the Yakan Tribe in the 1800s.
Chrisians and Yakans proverbially laying out red carpet and warm hospitality for
spectators who will come and visit the annual Lami-lamihan Festival in the
renowned Lamitan town of Basilan.
Regatta de Lamitan kicks off at the municipal port in the morning followed by a
fluvial parade, motocross and mountain bike racing, tennis tournament, fun run and
agro-ethnic fairs.
Aside from the mentioned activities, the festival features cultural performances that
showcases the tribal arts and dances of Yakans. Also beauty pageant is held in the
evening.
Other activities include street dancing contest, presentations of culture and religion,
Miss Gay Lami-lamihan, traditional games, boxing and other sports, and on the final
day, the feast of towns patron, St. Peter.

Aliwan
Festival

MEGUYAYA FESTIVAL
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Festivals In ARMM

KARIYALA
KALILANGFESTIVAL
SA RANAO