52nd Araw ng Lanao: A day of merrymaking

MANILA, Philippines - Lanao del Sur is home to a world-class indigenous culture, and it continues to bloom under the leadership of Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr.

I revisited my hometown upon the gracious invitation of Gov. Adiong and Raifa Adiong, who was in charge overall of the 52nd Araw ng Lanao. Gauging from the adulation and respect they get from their constituents, they will be public servants for a long time.

The 52nd Araw ng Lanao was a day of merrymaking where the province showcased its young creative talents and rich cultural heritage.

Prominent guests like Cannes Film Festival winner Brillante Mendoza watched the spectacle of culture and traditions of the province when First Lady Raifa Adiong tendered a Pagana M’ranao held at the Social Hall of the provincial capitol. In this traditional manner of serving food, all the courses are placed at the dining table at the same time, including the palapa, made from local green onions; the fermented fish paste; pusan, the main dish from Lake Lanao; curried arowan and chicken; and the rice pudding desserts, amec and dudul. Served in metal ware, almost all the dishes, even the rice, assumed the yellowish tinge of the kalawag spice. Yellow is the color of royalty for the M’ranao people. Every aspect of the M’ranao life and culture was intricately woven into this meal.

Garbed in traditional costumes, high school students perform ethnic dances showcasing Lanao del Sur’s rich cultural heritage during the 52nd Araw ng Lanao celebration.

“Fabulous. I have so much yearning for the M’ranao arts and designs,” Direk Mendoza said.

The guests were welcomed by M’ranao women in their colorfully embroidered traditional landap malong.

My yearning to retrace the native traditions of the M’ranaos that survived the erasures of time led me to cover the traditional “open house.” It showcased M’ranao artistry — metal and wooden tools, baskets and pottery. But what impressed me the most were various well-crafted native weapons like bows and arrows, weapons, swords, spears, daggers, guns and armor, and manggis, a colorfully decorated lattice in the shape of a mythic bird that symbolizes the M’ranao people, the sarimanok.

The program started with a parade participated in by high school students of selected Lanao schools. There were no floats this time. I was delighted with the props and costumes of the dancers. Quite frankly, I was astounded, too, with the quirky, jovial mood of those who participated, and the interesting way their hands and legs moved that the spectators could not resist to applaud.

The championship trophy went to Tadman ko Inandang Ensemble of the Butig National High School, one of the leading cultural troupes in Division II-A of Lanao del Sur. The ensemble, being the official cultural troupe of the school, has proven its worth in promoting, protecting, and preserving Lanao del Sur’s cultural heritage.