Astonishing Maguindanao

MARK Twain once said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness." People's Palace of Cotabato City.So, we travel not only to behold the beauty of a place but to expose ourselves to new ideas, lifestyles and cultures. It's a potent means of breaking down barriers and stereotypes, allowing us to appreciate a place for what it is, rather than what it should be. Grand Mosque Cotabato City plaza Inaul fabric Municipality of Upi Maguindanao del Sur Capitol Tamontaka Church Grand Mosque Cotabato Old City Hall Pink Mosque Maguindanao house Tubao dancers of Maguindanao Pink Mosque One such place nestled in the heart of Mindanao is Maguindanao, whose history traces back to the late 15th century when Sharif Muhammad Kabungsuan of Johor introduced Islam to the Maguindanaos. He married a Maranao princess and established the Sultanate of Maguindanao, stretching from Zamboanga Peninsula to Davao. Maguindanao's capital was Kuta Wato, now known as Cotabato. Maguindanao women making bagsThe Maguindanaos lived in peace but fiercely resisted Spanish and American invasions. Their culture revolves around music, dance, literature and religion. They are renowned for their metalworking skills, crafting wavy-bladed swords called keris and playing musical instruments like the kulintang. Maguindanao weavers produce intricate, colorful fabrics known as inaul. Any Filipino traveler seeking an authentic Malay culture, untouched by colonial influences, should visit Maguindanao. Kulintang maker in Cotabato CityHowever, prejudices fueled by a lack of understanding of their culture, along with tragic events like the Maguindanao massacre and the Mamasapano clash, have deterred tourists. These incidents, though tragic, have been overshadowed by the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019, promising conditions for lasting peace and socioeconomic development. Maguindanao and its peace-loving people are now prepared to welcome visitors. Maguindanao singkilGetting in and awayThough now divided into two provinces since September 2022, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao are still collectively referred to as Maguindanao. Cotabato City, once the capital of the Sultanate of Maguindanao and now an independent component city, serves as the regional center of Bangsamoro.The quickest route to Maguindanao is via direct flight from Manila to Cotabato City. The newly opened Bangsamoro Airways offers flights from Zamboanga and Jolo to Cotabato City. Travelers can also reach Maguindanao by land from major cities like Davao, General Santos and Cagayan de Oro in less than five hours, using Mindanao's modern highways. Expect to encounter several military and police checkpoints in Maguindanao and Cotabato City, established to maintain peace and security. Ranao Pilayan FallsNatural attractionsAbout 30 minutes from Cotabato City lies the Blue Lagoon in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, boasting crystal-clear waters ideal for boating and other water activities. However, swimming is discouraged due to the depth of the water.Another gem is the municipality of Upi, an hour away from Cotabato City and dubbed the Summer Capital of Maguindanao. A short drive and trek lead to one of Maguindanao's most stunning waterfalls, the 92-foot Rana Pilayan Falls.Liguasan Marsh, situated between Maguindanao, Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat, is considered the country's largest intact wetland and an internationally recognized important bird and biodiversity area, gradually opening its doors to tourism.Mosques, churches and heritage buildingsMaguindanao boasts some of the Philippines' largest and grandest mosques. The Pink Mosque in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, a two-hour drive from Cotabato City, stands out with its unique color. The Grand Mosque of Cotabato, also known as the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, is the country's second-largest mosque, adorned with golden domes and crescent moons. Maguindanao womenIn Cotabato City, visitors can explore the old and new city halls, with the former now serving as a museum showcasing neo-vernacular architectural style. The new city hall, dubbed the People's Palace, blends ethno-modern architecture with a Muslim-inspired roof. Other notable sites include the Tamontaka Church, Tantawan Park, Kutawato Caves, ancestral houses, old commercial buildings in the Old Downtown and the barter market offering Maguindanao souvenirs.Traditional craftFor a leisurely experience, visitors can explore Maguindanao's community-based tourism sites, where traditional craft is still practiced. Women cooperatives in Barangay Bulalu and Al Jameelah create traditional woven inaul fabrics, while local cooperatives in various towns produce handicraft using native materials like water hyacinth, bamboo and pandan. In Cotabato City, Kalanganan Brasswares continues the tradition of crafting beautiful kulintang using traditional brass-making techniques. These are just a few of Maguindanao's treasures awaiting discovery in this jewel of Bangsamoro.