Thousand residents in their colourful Meranao regalia came out to flock the streets of Marawi City, September 14 morning, to join the parade in celebration of the city’s 76th charter day anniversary.
All the 96 barangays in Marawi, public and privates schools,
fraternities, government agencies, and civil society organizations,
joined the colorful parade.
The parade assembled in Barangay Marinaut at 7:00 a.m. and culminated
in City Hall at 11 a.m. followed by a Dulang Festival that exhibited
the exotic flavors and extravagant colors of Meranao cuisine.
Marawi City Mayor Atty. Majul Gandamra thanked everyone in attendance
especially Marawi City and Provincial officials and dignitaries,
including Provincial Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. who showed unity
with Marawi City during the parade in behalf of Governor Soraya Alonto
Adiong and the whole provincial government.
Sultan of Bacolod Atty. Nashrollah B. Conding, City Administrator
Sultan Camid Gandamra, Marawi City Division Superintendent Pharida
Sansarona, and Former National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)
Secretary Bae Omera Dianalan Lucman also graced the event.
“Your presence here today indicates only one thing -- that you are
with me in my quest to reform and bring back the old glory and beauty of
Marawi City,” said mayor Gandamra.
He also underscored the importance of remembering the glorious
history of Marawi City for it gives a sense of pride and a vision of
what everyone wants for his family and the community as a whole.
Marawi was formerly called Dansalan. It became a charter city on
August 19, 1940 but inaugurated only on September 30, 1950 due to the
Second World War. Its granting of a charter was sponsored by Senator
Tomas Cabili. On June 16, 1956, Senator Domocao Alonto passed an
amendment to the charter renaming the city from Dansalan to Marawi in
memory of the Confederation of Marawi.
Finally, on April 15, 1980, Marawi City was renamed Islamic City of
Marawi under a City Council Resolution No. 19-A, giving credence and
recognition of the fact that 92 percent of the population of the city
were Meranaos who are Muslims.
Marawi City is celebrating its charter day anniversary a month late due to transition concerns.
“We cannot afford to not celebrate because this occasion is
foreshadowing our dreams of making this city a better place for us and
future generations to come,” said mayor Gandamra.
With the theme “Enriching Meranao Culture: A Clean and Peaceful
Marawi City,” the week-long celebration will also feature Quran reading
contest, presentation of different Meranao cultural entertainment,
office beautification competition, inter-barangay cleanliness and
beautification contest, concert and fireworks display.
The celebration will culminate on September 17. (SAMD/APB/PIA-10)
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