Modest celebration for ARMM Day
COTABATO CITY—With no movie stars or street-dancing, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will mark its 26th anniversary today (Thursday) with a muted celebration in the wake of terror attacks around the world, according to a regional official.
“Given recent events, we feel that it is best to direct our attention to expressing solidarity with the rest of the world that mourns the countless deaths resulting from indiscriminate attacks against humanity,” ARMM spokesperson Amir Mawallil said.
Early this year, thousands of people have also been displaced by armed conflict in Maguindanao.
The ARMM was created under Republic Act No. 6734, which was signed into law by then President Corazon Aquino on Aug. 1, 1989, and ratified in a plebiscite in November 1989. Its provinces are Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
The executive committee of this year’s celebration has canceled a number of events, including the street dancing competition and tribal parade, Mawallil said. Though simple and modest, it will still highlight the history of the region and its achievements over the past 26 years.
“It will pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives fighting for the Bangsamoro people,” Mawallil said in a statement. “It will also underscore the agenda of peace and reform that Gov. Mujiv Hataman have set to ensure that the people will benefit from the regional government’s services and enjoy life without armed conflicts.”
Activities that aim to provide services and promote a better understanding of Islam will be held, such as the ARMM People’s Day and an exhibition of Quran readers who won in recent local and international competitions today.
The cultural tourism exhibits at the ARMM government compound include mock Moro villages.
The Maguindanaon presentation reflects much of the people’s recent history, covering the reign of military rule during martial law, and the recurrence of war atrocities on civilians.
The Maranao boast of the precision of their art-imitating-life in culture, as exuded by the award-winning Kamabayoka Cultural Arts and Dance Troupe of Mindanao State University (MSU), as well as the preservation of the “Darangan,” one of the world’s longest epics.
The Sama people brought in an innovative version of their old dance, inspired by the “pangalay” of Sulu.
The Tausug chose to be more literally authentic with Ruma Bichara (Royal Council), and the “khutba” tradition which, for the last 600 years, has ruled on the succession of Sulu sultans to the throne, said Assistant Secretary Sharifa Pearsia Ali-Dans of the regional Department of the Interior and Local Government. With a report from Nash B. Maulana, Inquirer Mindanao
