What do ABS-CBN’s Singing Bee lead singer Sue Castrodes  and United Opposition spokesperson Adel Tamano have in common? They are Maranaos, who proudly trace lineage to Lanao del Sur.


In a region thirsting to see good news about them, the  Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), where most Maranaos reside, can stand proud of a culture that has been preserved despite the impact of pop culture in global media.


Home of the Sultanates, sarimanok, and Islam, visiting Lanao del Sur province of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is like going back to centuries ago when women walked around gracefully in their malongs (wrap-around clothing) and men who had betel-stained golden teeth played chess all day. But although being transported to a place that seems stuck in time could be soothing to a frazzled urbanite, the truth is Lanao del Sur is that way largely because it is one of the poorest provinces in the country, while ARMM is the poorest region in the Philippines in all indicators of human development.


As Lanao del Sur celebrates  its 48 years of being chartered in week-long rites starting today until the anniversary on July 4, the province is challenged to overcome perceptions of insecurity due to recent kidnappings of non-natives, including a Mindanao State University Professor last June 26 in Saguiaran town.


Where is Lanao del Sur?


Because of this negative image, few know about the tourism potentials of the province. Lanao comes from the word ranao, meaning "lake." Lanao centers on the basin of  the majestic Lake Lanao , where a mountain shaped like a lady called Sleeping Beauty catches visitors in awe.


Lanao del Sur forms the western portion of Northern Mindanao . It is bounded on the north by Lanao del Norte on the east by  Bukidnon, on the west by Illana Bay , and on the south by Maguindanao and Cotabato . One can travel to Lanao del Sur 3 hours away from Cagayan de Oro's Lumbia airport.


The landscape is dominated by rolling hills and valleys, placid lakes and rivers.


The climate in the province is characterized by even distribution of rainfall throughout the year, without a distinct summer season. The province is located outside the typhoon belt.


The Filipino’s Last Samurai

Few also know the rich history of the province , which some find to be fascinating as its colorful artifacts. When the Spaniards first explored Lanao in 1689, they found a well-settled community named Dansalan at the lake's northern end.

 In 1895, Lanao was created as a district of Mindanao.  In 1903, Lanao was incorporated into the Moro Province by the American government. In 1914, the province of Lanao was born with the organization of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu.

Lanao hosted some of the bloodiest revolts in Philippine history. Hundreds of natives battled thousands of American troops in the wars in the towns of Taraka and  Bayang . In May 2, 1942 , the former chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Jose Abad Santos was killed by the Japanese Imperial forces by the firing squad at Malabang. Maranao guerrilla units used the infantry weapons together with the Maranao Kris, Barong and Kampilan swords against the Japanese forces during in the Battle of Lanao .

When Lanao was divided into two provinces under Republic Act No. 2228 in 1959, Marawi was made the capital of Lanao del Sur.

Lanao also hosted several uprisings led by the Bangsamoro Liberation Organization (BMLO) in the 70s against national government.

Because of the peace agreements between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government, Lanao del Sur in a plebiscite voted to join the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 1989.


The Warrior-turned Trader Community

The Maranaos are said to be the most conservative and religious, yet the most mobile and business-minded among the 13 ethno-linguistic Muslim cultural communities. Decades after the traumatic martial law period in Mindanao, thousands of Maranaos after acquiring education and civil service opportunities have traveled and made home across the country and the Middle East to work and help their poor families back home.  From Bataan to Jolo, Maranao traders selling DVDS, jewelry and clothing can be found in most of the public markets and shopping centers anywhere. They have also set up mosques in the mostly-Christian dominated towns where they have settled.

With the rise of income of many of the Maranaos, today Lanao del Sur hosts the most number of Islamic schools and the biggest Islamic university .

Keeping traditions and customs alive in the traditional Sultanate system, the Maranaos still follow many folk rituals when it comes to persons and family relations.

One can find many prominent individuals among the Maranaos - former Senator Mamintal Tamano, former Governor Ali Dimaporo, former ARMM Governor Lininding Pangandaman, founder of the Mindanao State University (MSU)  Domocao Alonto , the first lady president of MSU Emily Marohombsar, Bishop Ulama Conference co-convenor Mahid Mutilan .