SITE VISITATION OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS

AT DATU ODIN SINSUAT, MAGUINDANAO 

            As part of the DOT-ARMM Plans and programs, Technical Staff of DOT Maguindanao led by Secretary Sittie Jehanne Mutin conducted site visitations to the existing and potential tourist sites/destinations  in the municipality of  Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.  Sites visited were Benolen Hot Spring  Taviran, Pinguiaman, Butilen Creek, Kabuntalan, DOS, Maguindanao.

            The Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat (formerly Dinaig) is one of the targeted priority areas for tourism promotions in the province of Maguindanao due to its accessibility, availability of standard tourism facilities, and peace and security considerations.  It also boasts of natural attractions such as falls, hotsprings, marsland, among others.(DKSantos)

 

Inaul

 

Inaul, the Art of Weaving ...

Inaul... is the famous Maguindanao handwoven fabric.  It is used by the Maguindanaons as a “malong”, a tabular skirt or “sarong” that wraps around the lower part of the body and worn as traditional dress by both men and women.

Inaul, is a treasured cultural tradition as it captures the Maguindanao symbol of distinction and royalty.

A source of pride and a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the people of Cotabato City.

Color Symbolism

Colors of yellow and orange represent royalty while red means bravery.  Green signified peace and tranquillity.  White, the color of purity spoke of sadness and mourning.  Black means dignity.  At present, the colors and lines are a matter of choice.  New designs incorporate pastel to dark shades are very commonly used.

Weaving Design

The intricate art of weaving introduced various designs. The most popular is the plain weave such as binaludto (rainbow), makabimban (stripes) or panigabi (taro).  A weft weave included sinodengan, matampuhay-seko, kawang and sinukipan designs.  The practice of tie-dying is another rare method locally called binaludan (ikat).

Uses

Inaul is one of the most versatile handwowen textile ever conceived.  Women wear it as a malong skit and as garments for formal or royal events such as weddings.  Men can wear it as a trouser for formal wear.  Wound around man’s head it becomes a turban, Folded malongs can be used as a basket, baby cradle or bag.  Others use it as a blanket, mat, curtain or pillow cases.  Nowadays its uses include gowns and dresses for women and tuxedos or polo barongs for men.

 Launching of Water Hyacinth

Products of Cotabato City

May 20, 2013

DOT-ARMM Asec. Bai Shalimar A. Candao graced the Launching ceremony of Water Hyacinth-Products of Cotabato City, held at Cotabato City Plaza Stage on May 20, 2013. 

City folks found useful ways to utilize these water hyacinths with minimal or no capital needed. Aside from using them as material for bags and baskets, water hyacinths can be utilized in making home decorations and furnitures, slippers and even costume attires such as traditional gowns and barongs. It could also be a good source of living in the course of livelihood programs to be given to those families who have low source of income, and a souvenir products (culturally-based) can also be developed not just in the City, but also in its nearby places like the Province of Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region.

The event was also well attended by the Local Officials, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and different sectors in the City. (Pinky Sula)

DOT – ARMM Asec. Bai Shalimar A. Candao being interviewed by a freelance journalist Bijoyeta Das of AlJazeera, a satellite TV Network owned by the government of Qatar in the Middle East that broadcasts news events in and outside the Middle East.  The topic raised was on the present tourism and economic situation of the Region, the current programs, projects and activities initiated, planned and organized by the Department of Tourism-ARMM, and the potential long-term programs and projects that will be undertaken by the Regional Government mostly on the tourism aspect for the upcoming transitional government. (Pinky Sula)

LAUNCHING-BANDINGAN Magazine

The Department of Tourism -ARMM ably represented by Assistant Regional Secretary Shalimar A. Candao and Dulce K. Santos graced the  Launching Ceremony of Gandingan, a lifestyle magazine in Central Mindanao.    

The event was well attended by local dignitaries and personalities who comprised the different sectors of life in Central Mindanao.  It was also the venue for the publishing staff to formally introduce their literary product to the media for appropriate information dissemination.

All things considered, the launching of Bandingan Magazine is a welcome addition to the current publications in the market today as it focuses on the ordinary and not so ordinary happening in our day to day life. (May 5, 2013/DKSantos)