AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO

2. The ARMM has diversity in arts and culture ,historical heritages and
landmarks,and natural wonders.Furthermore,it is the only region that has its
own government by virtue jurisdiction.ARMM is composed of primarily Muslim
provinces namely:
☆BASILAN
☆LANAO DEL SUR
☆MAGUINDANAO
☆SULU and
☆TAWI-TAWI

3. For the most part of Philippines' history, the region and most of Mindanao has
been aseparate territory, which enabled it to develop its own culture and
identity. The region has been the traditional homeland of Muslim Filipinos. The
economy of the region is dominantly agriculture and fishery and most of
the people are fisherfolksand farmers.
In the early 1900’s, the Manila government opened Mindanao,
dubbed as “The Land of Promise”, to settlers who were welcomed
to share the fruits of its vast and rich natural resources.

4. THE FIVE PROVINCES

5. 》
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines in
the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. It’s capital is Lamitan
Lanao del Sur, officially the Province of Lanao del Sur, is
a province in the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The capital is
the city of Marawi, and it borders Lanao del Norte to the
north, Bukidnon to the east, and Maguindanao del Norte
and Cotabato to the south.

6. 》The Maguindanao are one of many groups of "lowland"
Filipinos who appear to have arrived in the islands during
successive waves of migration from the Southeast Asian
mainland several thousand years ago. They were well
established in their present homeland by the time of the first
known foreign contact around a.d. 1500.
》The Sulu “sea world” has had a tempestuous
history. Its people have been characterized by a fierce
sense of cultural and political independence. The
islanders were converted to Islam by the missionary
adventurer Abū Bakr in the mid-15th century.

7. 》Mindanao may not be the most preferred
tourist destination in the country due to past
security concerns but it actually has a lot to
offer when it comes to tourism. Tawi-Tawi
alone is blessed with unspoilt natural
attractions and interesting culture that will
surely attract the most adventurous tourist.

8. CAPITAL
LAND
AREA
(in hectares)
MAJOR
INDUSTRIE
S
NO. OF
CITIES
NO. OF
TOURIST and
MUNICIPALITI
ES
BASILAN ISABELA CITY 322,447
Agriculture,Fishing
,Rubberwood
Products,Livestock
2 11
LANAO DEL
SUR
MARAWI CITY 1,349,437
Agriculture,Fishing,
Livestock 1 39
MAGUINDANA
O
Shariff Aguak 972,904
Agriculture,Fishing,
Livestock 1 28
SULU Jolo 343,699
Agriculture,Fishing,
Livestock 0 19
Tawi-Tawi
Panglima
Sugala
362,655
Agriculture,Fishing,
Seaweed,Mercantil
e
0 11

9. HISTORICAL,CULTURALAND
HERITAGEATTRACTION

10. Kalun’s Park/Shrine
A few meters away from the
Kalun's Park, the shrine serve as
the resting place of the late Pedro
J. Cuevas, aka Datu Kalun. This is
also a private cemetery of the
Cuevas-Pamaran Clan, decendants
of the late great founder of
Lamitan.
Showcases the color and highlights of the Lami-lamihan
festival. It also serves as the information center for the
development of this town.
LAMITAN MUSEUM

11. TOMB OF JOSE ABAD SANTOS
The memorial is located at a backyard place of
a private lot in Malabang town, Lanao del
Sur where Abad Santos is believed to be
buried on May 7 of 1942 after Japanese forces
executed him because he refused to cooperate
during their occupation here.
Torogan is a traditional house of the Maranaos. Made of hard
woods with post made up of whole tree-trunks and are known
for intricately carved panolong (beam-ends) with okir designs,
the torogan was once a symbol of high social status.
TOROGAN

12. JAPANESE FORT
Now accommodates the Municipality’s Phil.
Nat’l Police Headquarter. The barracks is
self-sustaining with potable crystal-clear
spring water where local residents flock for
their drinking water, have their bath and
wash their clothes.
AGA KHAN MUSEUM
This striking university museum houses the
largest Philippine Muslim collection in the
country. Based in Mindanao State University,
it is named after His Royal Highness, Prince
Karim Aga Khan IV (of the Persian royal
dynasty), whose donation made the
construction of the building possible.

13. TAMONTAKA LOURDES GROTTO
The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
Tamantoka is historically linked to the Jesuits
in 1871 during the conversion days. The
Church is a living witness to the harmony
that exists among Muslims and Christians.
TOMB OF DATU MASTURA AND SULTAN KUDARAT
The tomb of Sultan Kudarat, one of the most highly
hailed Maguindanao heroes and from whom the
name of the municipality derived, and is located in
the heart of the municipality.

14. WALLED CITY
Dubbed as the smallest walled city in the world,
The Walled City testifies to how the Sulu warriors
bravely fought against foreign colonizers.
Unfortunately, neglect is leading to its
deterioration.
FORT ASTURIAS
Fort Asturias was built during
the Spanish period. It now
serves as the station of the local
PNP Command of Jolo.

15. AMERICAN CALVARY MONUMENT
The American Cavalry Monument bespeak the
direct interference of the Americans to Filipinos’
internal affairs during the first half of the
20th century. It also signifies the locals
unwavering commitment to defend their land
and culture from foreign invasion.
TOMB OF RAJAH BAGUINDA
Lying at Bud Datu or the mountain Prince is
the tomb of Rajah Baguinda. He was a
Muslim prince from Manangkaw, Sumatra in
Indonesia who introduced Islam to Sulu in
1390. Every year, hundreds of Islamic
pilgrims visit the tomb to pay respect.

16. SULU MUSEUM AND LIBRARY
The Sulu Museum and Library was
established through a Sangguniang
Panlalawigan resolution in 1981 to house
ethnographic materials of Sulu culture and
a library.
PRINCESS TARHATA SHRINE
The shrine commemorates
Princess Tarhata who was the
first Tausug Muslim scholar
to Harvard University.

17. SHEIK MAKDHUM MOSQUE
The Mosque is considered as one of the
Philippines’ oldest existing Muslim
Houses of Prayer. The new historical
landmark is located in Tubig Indangan,
Simunul in the province of Tawi-Tawi.
TOMB OF SHEIK MAKDHUM
Sheik Makdum Tomb is considered as one of
the the landmarks of ISLAM in the Philippines
due to the fact that the First Arabian
Missionary Sheik Kharimul Makhdum in 1380
landed in this beautiful Island Sibutu to
Introduce Islam and the circumtantial
evidence is his tomb located in Brgy. Sheik
Makdum a barangay named after him.

18. NATURAL
ATTRACTIONS

19. Malamawi White Beach is one of the
hidden paradise and the top tourist spot
in Isabela City, Basilan. It is a privately
owned resort in the island with a long
stretch of fine white sand shoreline.
Kumalarang Falls is situated on Kumalarang
River which emenates from pristine forest
upstream.It is around 14 meters high with a wide
and very deep pool.

20. PALM BEACH
Commonly referred to as People’s Paradise
Beach, this picnickers' haven is the most famous
of all the beaches in Lamitan due to its
accessibility. A mere five-minute ride from the
poblacion will take you to its white sands and
blue waters perfect for swimming. Boating,
fishing, and snorkeling.
BALAS BEACH
A cove-shaped about 25 minutes away
from the town hall of Lamitan; ideal for
scuba diving and water skiing.
35 BLOCK FALLS
Located at Menzi Plantation. This offers
a picturesque magnificent wonder of
nature. The sight is also ideal for
spiritual upliftment.

21. MABUL BEACH
is one of the top Lanao Del Sur tourist spots.
Although it does not offer the typical powdery white
sands, Mabul Beach is special for its pristine
condition. Its black sandy beach contrasts the blue
waters of the ocean. The surrounding waters teem
with marine species such as colorful reefs and many
more.
LAKE LANAO
Situated right at the heart of Mindanao,
Lake Lanao is the second largest
freshwater lake in the country with a
surface area of 349.4 square kilometer
and a mean depth of 60.30 meters,
with the deepest part at 112 meters.

22. is composed of seven levels ranging from
five to forty feet of elevation. It takes an
hour of trekking to reach Sumpitan Falls
from the municipal hall of Balindong,
Lanao del Sur.
SUMPITAN FALLS
KANAPNAPAN FALLS
Located at the heartland of a 400 ha forest
reservations dwarfs at its towering height of 400 ft.
It rumbles river water at great gallop showering flora
and fauna with vapors that also form cycles of eye
captivating rainbows.

23. MT. MAKATURING
Makaturing, is a stratovolcano on Mindanao island in
the Philippines. It is found in the province of Lanao
del Sur (particularly in the town of Butig) in the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao.
BLUE LAGOON
This fresh water blue lagoon, owned by the
Usman-Gani Farm in barangay Margues,
Datu Odin Sinsuat municipality in
Maguindanao, offers cool respite to local
residents amid the warm climate. The
downstream provides irrigation to farms.

24. the only manifest one of the nature’s breath of
awe and wonder. The warm water that gushes
forth from the spring provides the wholesome
pleasure and relaxation for Cotabato City
dwellers and people from the hinterlands.
LIMPONGO HOTSPRING
PUNTA BEACH
Is the northern counterpart
of Kusiong Beach with Cotabato City as point
of reference. City dwellers and people, and
nearby dwellers flock to this beach especially
during weekends they get the relaxing breath
of sea breeze.

25. Kiga Falls, Sapala Falls and Tabuan Falls – This
magnificent wonder of nature is a sight to behold
where cool, clear water gushes down from top of
the mountain. Aside from its nature preserve
sceneries, the site is also ideal for spiritual
upliftment.
RIO GRANDE DE MINADANAO
Mindanao River, also called Río Grande De
Mindanao, or Cotabato River, main river of
the Cotabato lowland,
central Mindanao, Philippines. It rises in the
central highlands of northeastern Mindanao
(island) as the Pulangi and then flows south to
where it joins the Kabacan to form the
Mindanao.

26. PALA RIVER
Pala River is the longest river of Sulu, famous for
boating, swimming, and whitewater rafting. The Pala
river originates from Municipalities. Bangas Island is a
white Sandy Island with crystal clear water. The
splashing of water on the shoreline make this site
worth seeing.
JIKIRI CAVE
Jikiri Cave is not your site for
stalactite and stalagmite rock
formations. But what makes it
special is its historical role.

27. BANGAS ISLAND
Bangas Island boasts of crystalline
white sands and crystal-clear waters
calmly splashing on the shoreline. It
is one of the top Sulu tourist spots
and could easily rival other popular
beaches in the Philippines.
TAPAAN ISLAND
is located in Pandami, Sulu.Tapaan Island
has powdery white sands and turquoise
waters that sparkle with the sun. That
makes it one of the best tourist
attractions in Sulu.What makes this
island even more special is the presence
of a rare type of seashell called “bussu.”

28. GUSONG REEF
is one of the most preserved Tawi-Tawi tourist
spots. It is considered as one of the best
diving sites in the Philippines because of the
coral reef's pristine conditions. It boasts of
various colorful and beauteous squads of
aquarium and non-aquarium species.
TURTLE ISLAND
Located in the southwestern tip of the
Philippines is one of the farthest municipalities
in the Province of Tawi-Tawi, and a paradise for
marine turtles, the Municipality of Turtle
Islands.

29. KABAN-KABAN NATURAL
SWIMMING POOL
Tawi-Tawi cannot help offering its natural richness of
elegant and beautification characters like the Kaban-
Kaban pool with its crystalline water. The place is an
excellent resource for picnic goers.
SIBUTU NATURAL WILDLIFE
SANCTUARY
upon setting foot in the strange wild of the Islandone could
meet here black, reddish brown, white and spotted black
wild boars fragrantly roaming in frenzy. Exotic birds like
Oriole, Canaries, Lovebirds, and Parrots of various colors
abound the treetops of Sibutu. Its forest is also proud of
the “Dandunay” of the peacock variety and the sleek
“Labuyo” or wild rooster.

30. BONGAO PEAK
TAHING-TAHING BEACH
It was in this place in where a group of American soldiers
were inspired to compose the song Tawi-Tawi beach. The
place offers a good sight for picnic goers w/ its clear cool
water and aura of contentment.
on of the pride of Tawi-Tawi projecting luscious out growths of
green forests where hundreds of varied sized monkeys of
white and brown varieties find their sanctuary. People who
traverse the peak by nightfall speak of its spell sorcery. Going
deeper into the peak one can almost touch the pretty heads of
wild but tame – looking monkeys which roam and acrobat on
the well of tree branches.

31. BOLOBOC CAVE
Previously used as a fortress against foreign
invader now converted into a tourist
destination about 8 km from Bongao.
SITANGKAY ISLAND
Sitangkai is one of the remotest
islands in the Philippines chain
and is known as the ‘Venice of the
Philippines’ due to its stilted
houses and boat transportation.

32. FOOD AND DELICACIES

33. DULANG
KALIYA MANOK
Dulang (Yakan Dish of Basilan)It is a set of food
composed of rice mixed with “malagkit”, viands like
“kaliya” (Yakan chicken dish), “kenna” (fried fish) and
vegetable dish.
chicken cooked by Yakan ladies
for rituals, thickened by ground
rice and colored yellow using
turmeric"

34. PINALAM-PINALAM
JAH PANYAM PITIS
Pinalam-pinalam is spicy native chicken
with dulang.
The jah panyam pitis, a rectangular sweet
made with sticky purple rice, coconut milk
and brown sugar, is also popular with the
Tausugs.

35. PALAPA CHICKEN PIAPARAN
Palapa is a sweet and spicy Filipino
condiment consisting of thinly chopped
white scallions, pounded ginger, turmeric,
labuyo chili, and toasted grated coconut.
Piaparan A Manok (Chicken Piaparan) is a
chicken dish that is cooked with coconut milk,
turmeric and a special paste called ‘Palapa’.
The cooked chicken is taken out from the soup
and then cooked with additional grated
coconut which makes this dish really stand out.

36. BADAK
PAKBOL
Badak is like a small jackfruit.
Its fruit can also be used as
vegetable or can be eaten fresh
when ripe. The seeds can be
boiled or roasted for food.

37. KINILAW NA TANIGUE
BIYARING(kinilaw na hipon)
Kinilaw na Tanigue or kilawing
tanigue is a type of Filipino fish
ceviche wherein Wahoo fish fillet is
cut into cubes and cured in a mixture
of calamansi juice, fresh ginger,
onion, chili, and seasonings.
Among the Maranao people of
southwestern Mindanao, biyaring is a
type of kinilaw made with tiny shrimp.
It is a regional favorite and is notable
because it is ideally prepared while the
shrimp are still alive.

38. RENDANG
Maranao’s rendang is prepared by
crushing the spices before frying
and cooking it with the beef and
coconut milk. The dish can also be
described as a spicy caramelized
curry.
INALOBAN A TILAPIA
Inaloban a Isda is a Filipino Maranao
dish prepared with grilled tilapia
served in a spicy coconut gravy
infused with ginger, chillies and a
local type of onion called sibujing.

39. PASTIL
Pastil which is known to have been originated
in Maguindanao is an easy to cook ulam
composed of rice, topped with sautéed
chicken, fish, or beef flakes. This banana leaf
wrapped meal is a staple in Maguindanao’s
market places, sidewalks, and alleys.
PANLAYAM
Panyalam or panyam, is a traditional Filipino-
Bangsamoro fried rice pancake. It is made
with ground glutinous rice, muscovado (or
brown sugar), and coconut milk mixed into a
batter that is deep-fried.

40. BULWA
In Maguindanao, these muffins are called buluwa or
bulwa. Made from rice flour, eggs and sugar, a little
sweet and nutty when slightly toasted, and will surely
lift anyone's bad mood when eaten anytime of the day.
LININGGIL
Lininggil is a type of dry curry from
the province of Maguindanao,
Philippines prepared with chicken,
string beans and chillies cooked in
palapa, turmeric, chicken liver and
coconut milk.

41. KUMUKUNSI
TINAGTAG
A traditional Filipino deep-fried doughnut
originating from Maguindanao people.It is
made from flour, eggs and sugar.It is
traditionally fried into spiral shapes.
It is made up of ground rice and sugar with a
little water added which produce a thick
mixture placed over a coconut shell drilled
with small holes and fixed to a wooden stick
bind with a rope and tied to a pole.

42. TINAPAYAN
TIYULA ITUM
It is a salted fish with fermented
rice. Tinapayan is among the
most sought dishes among the
Magaindanaon people. It is
basically made of Pangus(Sun-
dried local fish)
Tiyula Itum is a Filipino beef soup
prepared with beef or goat pieces that
were cooked with lemongrass, ginger,
turmeric and charred coconut meat.

43. CHICKEN PYANGGANG
is a Filipino dish consisting
of chicken braised in turmeri
c, onions, lemongrass,
ginger, siling
haba chilis, garlic, coconut
milk, and ground burnt
coconut.
SYAGUL
A flavored Syagul should be really spicy,
cooked with coconut milk with burned
grated coconut and of course, with the
main ingredient - meat of a stingray.

44. UTAK-UTAK
is a spiced fish cake made of shredded tuna
meat mixed with spices and grated coconut
meat. Ingredients are shaped either by hand or
by using banana leaves then coated in a flour-
egg-water combination for frying.
SYANGLAG
is made from grated cassava that
is fried until yellowish. Both also
replace rice as an
accompaniment to savory dishes.

45. FESTIVALS
ND SPECIAL
EVENTS

46. LAMI-LAMIHAN
FESTIVAL
PAKARADJAAN
BASILAN
(JUNE 26-27) showcases
traditional Yakan’s customs,
traditions and crafts.
(MARCH 1-7)
commemorate the
anniversary of
Province of Basilan
KALILANG SA RANAO
(APRIL 15)to
commemorate the charter
anniversary of Marawi
City

47. KARIYALA FESTIVAL MEGUYAYA FESTIVAL SHARIFF KABUNSUAN
FESTIVAL
(FEBUARY 22) literally means
as “thanksgiving” it is a
celebration of the
triumphs,abundance and
prosperity of the province.
(DECEMBER) a thanksgiving festival
that is also serve as a venue to
promote economic potentials of
the province such as agricultural
products ,built areas and mineral
products
(DECEMBER 19)a
commemoration of the arrival of
Arab-Malay Missionary from
Malaysia in the 16th century.It is
a celebration significant to the
whole Muslim Mindanao.

48. VINTA FESTIVAL MALIGAY FESTIVAL PANGALAY FESTIVAL
(FEBUARY 14) grand
showcase of the vintas
the traditional boats
that define the culture
and identity of the
Badjaos.
Celebrated every
Islamic New Year
A showcase of the
traditional Tausug finger
dance called pangalay.

49. SEAWEED FESTIVAL
(SEPTEMBER 25) also called
as Agal-Agal Festival it is a
thanksgiving celebration of a
good harvest of carrageen
seaweed.
SHEIK KARIMUL
MAKHDUM FESTIVAL
(NOVEMBER 7) a
commemoration for his good
deeds for bringing Islam to the
land of Mindanao ;similar to the
Shariff Kabunsuan Festival in
Maguindanao.