The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
Dulang Festival: Keeping the Meranao cuisine alive
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – How you ever experienced Meranao hospitality and unique cuisine?
Meranaos are known for being hospitable and their warm hospitality is best reflected in a prestige feast called ‘Pagana Meranao’ where guests are entertained with traditional dance performances and treated to an extravagant banquet that features Meranao cuisine. The cuisine is showcased in a native food arrangement called ‘Dulang.’ The arrangement contains traditional cuisine placed on brass food trays called ‘tabak.’ The food trays are covered a Meranao tray cloths called ‘ampas’ and decorated heavily following the traditional Meranao aesthetic, with accents of gold or silver which symbolizes prestige and nobility. Dulang is often served during special occasions such as dialaga (engagement), kawing (wedding), graduations, kapapakaradiyaan
(merrymaking), enthronements, religious festivity like Eid’ul Fitr and Eid’ul Adha, and even homecomings of people who had gone to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. The city government of Marawi highlighted this tradition during its 76th Charter Day Anniversary which focused on enriching Meranao culture through a Dulang Festival. The cultural celebration, which aims to cherish Meranao culture, was participated by the 96 barangays of the city, public and private schools, government agencies, and civil society organization, among others. In his keynote message, City Mayor Atty. Majul Gandamra underscored the importance the celebration to enrich Meranao culture and traditions. He said the strong ties among Meranaos which are showcased during cultural celebrations also help in building a peaceful community. The Dulang Festival featured the most beautiful, best-tasting and artistically-arranged Meranao cuisine in Marawi. It contains dishes with unique
blend of flavors and spices such as kuning (yellow rice), piyaparan (carp, mudfish, chicken, shrimp meat with coconut shavings), desserts like dodol (sticky rice in coconut milk) and browa (muffins), among others. The Dulang is not complete without the
Palapa, a Meranao condiment made of shallots, ginger, and chili peppers simmered in coconut oil. (SAMD/APB/ PIA-10)
Gata Bridge to boost trade, travel in Lanao del Sur MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The opening of the P32,024,994.62 Gata Bridge is expected to increase trade in the province by facilitating the transportation of goods and services between Marawi City and its neighbors. Provincial Governor Soraya Alonto Adiong led the ribbon-cutting and turn-over ceremony of the newlyconstructed 37.2 linear meter bridge, along the Marawi-Masiu National Road, in the section of Poona Bayabao town, September 18. Governor Adiong said traders can now easily transport their goods and services to Marawi City and nearby municipalities which can help the local economy. She said the bridge will also provide safety to public commuters and travellers. The new bridge replaces a 50year old dilapidated bridge. Poona Bayabao Vice Mayor
Lampa Pandi said accidents happened on the old bridge due to its worn-out state. The construction of the new Gata Bridge was implemented and supervised by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 10. Engr. Mikunug Macabantog of DPWH Region 10 said the project was requested from the national government in 2014 by Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr. and his brother Congressman Ansaruddin Adiong. (PIO Lanao del Sur/APB/PIA-10)
Implementation of BuB projects seen CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Soon an P8 million worth of BottomUp Budgeting (BuB) projects will be implemented in Cagayan de Oro. Supporting the national government’s Millennium Development Goals against poverty, the 18th City Council headed by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy is fast tracking the implementation of the 2016 BuB projects in Cagayan de Oro City. The committees on public works, on finance, budget and appropriations and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Zaldy Ocon, Edna Dahino and Ian Mark Nacaya, respectively, endorsed the proposed ordinance confirming and ratifying the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entered into by and between the city government and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG10) covering the implementation of two more BUB projects. The projects involve the construction of a multi-purpose evacuation center in Barangay Canitoan and implementation of the Community-Based Monitoring system in the city’s 80 barangays. The proposed ordinance also earmarks the sum of P3.5 million from the “Non-Office-General Public Services: Special Purpose FundsBuB Poverty Reduction Projects” in
the 2016 annual budget to be made available as city’s counterpart fund. Under the MOA, the DILG will provide an allocation of P4.5 million, P3 million for the construction of the evacuation center and P1.5 million for the monitoring system. Legislators noted the certification of the City Budget Office that the amount of P20 million from the annual budget of 2016 under the poverty reduction project is available for BuB projects in the city. The implementation of these projects is in line with the Philippine Development Plan for 2011-2016, which aims to reduce poverty in the country. The proposed legislation will be tackled during the regular session, September 19. (SP)