3-days visit in Maguindanao - BARMM
It was February, I am privileged to visit the province of Maguindanao, one of the interesting fieldom in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Philippines. One of the most anarhic places in the country, unsafe, if you ask most!
Veritably early morning just before dawn, we traveled from Kidapawan City to Shariff Aguak town via Sultan Kudarat province. We passed through several municipalities in Maguindanao province; the Datu Paglas and the provincial capital of Buluan which overlooks the recently erected provincial statehouse on the trace. A little stop to take a shot and GO.
Also, we will renew our trip, passing through the municipalities of President Quirino, Tacurong City, and Isulan. Then we made another layover to eat breakfast, at Koykoys Kambingan located along the national road of Isulan. This café is notorious for its succulent cooked scapegoat, their specialty is kaldereta and adobo so we tried it plus there's free hot sour soup. Delicious! Katakamtakam!
Isulan is also famous for its notorious Capitol Building compound.
After the breakfast, we headed directly to Shariff Aguak town about an hour's drive, passing the town of Esperanza and a tiny town of Maguindanao that serves as the border of Sultan Kudarat and the eastern part of Maguindanao
At sheriff Aguak, we conducted a community visit to the Muslim areas we served. In the past, Shariff Aguak is the first provincial statehouse of Maguindanao. Then it was transferred to the municipality of Buluan years ago for some political issue and tragic history. There are also talks of dividing this province into two corridors, Maguindanao del Note and Maguindanao del Sur. It aims to develop both provinces briskly and attract further openings for Maguindanaoans.
After the community meetings, we will again be moving our foot going to Labangan town in the Lanao del Norte traveling more or less 5 hours down from our origin. But wait, let us have a quick stop to visit the most famous mosque in the Philippines.
Dimaukom Mosque or the Pink Mosque
Located in the city of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao, the Philippines, it's a sacred place to faith. Open to everyone who wants to go then. Gets colorful respect for its unique pink color. Symbol of universal love of oneself and others. It is erected by workmen who emblematize concinnity and inter-faith brotherhood, fellowship, affection, harmony, inner peace, and approachability. The Mosque is a symbol of the growing multi-cultures in the Philippines. Sacred place open to all, anyhow of religion. The place just wants to maintain peace, cleanliness, and respect for the culture it wants to save.
On the trip way to Labangan town, we're passing the province of Lanao Del Sur with a town border between the Matanog and Kapatagan. Also, a major bow of the roundball with an Ark and a military checkpoint. It is also very noticeable that the culture and traditions in each of the provinces are different noticing the huge tarpaulins displayed on the roadside or even the house entrance. A unique felicitation of proud families when one of their family members succeeded in their goals, either for education or career; aside from political advertisements.
The Problem
As the sun goes down, the darkness is remarkable while passing the Lanao del Sur portion. noticing the massive blackout in this area where most of the business establishments and houses rely on their solar-powered lights.
A result of chaotic political and against government separatist, maybe! adding the government aggression to bring back and gain more peaceful communities. By end of the day, people are not losing hope, immolating from poverty, and have more access to any basic commodities, including the access to electricity and water.
As we continued our trip we take our last stopped to have a quick bathroom time, from here, we quietly explore sa sunset and the tiny road tunnel where numerous trippers stopover. This tunnel also served as the border of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. It was late at night when we arrived in Labangan city, after regale we incontinently rested.
On the Second Day, there will be a community visit to Labangan. Go to Muslim communities, mountainous barangays. Also back to Cotabato City in the autumn. Nothing much more activities but the most important, being productive. In the evening, we take our dinner at the
On the third day, we visited the City of Matanog early morning for my 3rd-day community visit which was also covered by Maguindanao. It is further than an hour from Cotabato City. Then, we visited the Muslim community on the border where the iconic roundball is located. The community is veritably active when it comes to responding to our program. Tagalog dialect is very common in this community, as they are living on the border with multi-languages.
The Marayag Lake
Not so far from the roundball is The Marayag Lake Natural Park which is still covered by Matanog town. It has small lodges and a small canteen located right at the main entrance while the entire lake remains untouched vested with water lilies which serve as a shelter for fish.
According to the locals, there's a developing project for bamboo cottages around the lake with an iconic mosque for future tourist attractions in town. however, it is still in the big picture at present.
Food must try in Maguindanao
In my 3 days of visit to Maguindanao, I haven't lost my curiosity when it comes to local food but to try. On our trip back to Cotabato City from Labangan town, we came across a Maranao Restaurant as they served Maranao style of cooking distinct as spicy and flavorful. they love coconuts as found in different kinds of viands.
It was seen also some Homemade food in Matanog that may exist in different areas of Maguindanao like the Pelel ( cook with rice flour shaped into a circle), the Balebed (a kind of suman or sticky rice covered with banana leaves). But the most interesting food of Matanog that catches my tastebuds is the Tapay, a unique kind of preservation of leftover rice covered and fermented inside huge tree leaves for days.
Overall, people of Maguindanao are loving people.
We may have different perspectives on different aspects of life, but there is only one goal of each of us, to peacefully and bring the happiness. Hard work for family's economic growth and live freely from fear.
SUKRAN MAGUINDANAO!
HOW TO GET THERE
The closest airport to reach the Pink Mosque is in General Santos or Cotabato City
From Cotabato City
- Book a flight from Manila going to Cotabato City
- Rent a Cab going to the bus station going to General Santos via Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
- Ask your driver to drop you off at the Saudi Ampatuan Town police station
- Just a short walk to reach the Pink Mosque
From General Santos City
- Book a flight from your Manila to General Santos City
- Rent a Cab going to the bus station at Bulaong
- Catch up a Bus going to Isulan
- Then, take another bus ride going to Cotabato City
- Ask your driver to drop you off at the Saudi Ampatuan Town police station
- Just short walk to reach the Pink Mosque
TRAVEL NOTE:
- Husky Tours is the only Bus company that offers ride in this area. They offered rides from Isulan going to Cotabato City via Esperanza, Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak, Datu Hoffer, Datu Saudi, Datu Odin Sinsuat (Awang Airport)
- Public transportation is limited in this area, better to hire a private cab or you have local friend
- Pink mosque is less than 2 hours ride from Isulan Town
* * * ENJOY YOUR STAY * * *
