ARMM

• The Autonomous Region of Muslim

Mindanao region was first created on August
1, 1989 through Republic Act No. 6734
otherwise known as the Organic Act in
pursuance with a constitutional mandate to
provide for an autonomous area in Muslim
Mindanao. The ARMM was officially
inaugurated on November 6, 1990 in
Cotabato City, which was designated as its
provisional capital.
• The region is divided into two geographical areas – the
Mindanao mainland and the Sulu Archipelago. Lanao del Sur
and Maguindanao Provinces are situated in the Mindanao
mainland, while Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi Provinces are
located within the Sulu Archipelago. ARMM covers a total of
12,288 km².

• The economy of the region is dominantly agriculture

and fishery and most of the people are Fisher folks and
farmers
 PROVINCES CAPITAL LAND AREA No. OF CITIES No. OF TOWNS
(in hectares) AND
MUNICIPALITIE
S
BASILAN ISABELA CITY 322, 447 2 11

LANAO DEL SUR MARAWI CITY 1, 349, 437 1 39

MAGUINDANAO SHARIFF 972, 904 1 28

AGUAK

SULU JOLO 343, 699 0 19

TAWI- TAWI PANGLIMA 362, 655 0 11

SUGALA
ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN
ARMM
BASILAN
• Kalun’s Park/Shrine – This
park/shrine was purposely built
as a tribute to a known Yakan
wily and fearless leader Datu
Kalun (a.k.a. Pedro Cuevas a
native of Cavite). It is a favored
spot for meetings, resting and
town walk.

•  Location: Lamitan
• Museum of Lamitan – It
serves as an information
center for the development
of Lamitan Municipality. It
also showcases the colorful
and highlights of the
traditional Yakan festival
called “Lami-lamihan”
LANAO DEL SUR
• Tomb of Jose Abad Santos – Tomb of
a great Filipino whose love of the
country offered himself sacrifices to the
political power of the Japanese Imperial
Army of WW II. His courage and
determination in facing the muzzles of
deadly guns of the Japanese firing squad
proved once more the Filipinos love for
freedom from foreign domination.

•       Location: Malabang
• Lake Lanao and its Twin
Islets – The most breath-
taking scene in the region
noted for its lust countryside is
the area fringing Lake Lanao.

•       Location: Marawi
MAGUINDANAO
• Blue Lagoon (Marguez
Lagoon) – named after the
heavily hued water that tries to
fill the brim of the pond. It is
naturally enclosure of body of
warmth and polarity whispering
on of the beauties and splendid
ness too rare to be found
anywhere else.
•       Location: Dinaig
• 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.

•       Location: Upi
SULU
• Princess Tarhata Shrine – Located at Maubuh, Patikul in memory of the
1st Tausug Muslim Scholar to Harvard University, USA.

•  Location: Patikul

• Sulu Provincial Museum – This Lone Museum in Sulu contains artifacts, relics

and other works on historical and archeological value of great worth to the people
inhabiting the island for the part centuries.

• Location: Jolo
TAWI- TAWI
• Tomb of Sheik Makhdum – In the southern part of the Island of Sibutu lies
in the peaceful harmony with nature of the Tomb of Sheik Makhdum.
•       Location: Simunul

• Panampangan Island Beach – A natural site, an oval shape, surrounded by

white sand beach; ideal for scuba diving, swimming, fishing, boating and
panicking. Rich in aquatic resources.
•       Location: Sapa-Sapa

• Marlboro Beach – The most popular sandy beach in Mapun.

•       Location: Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi
FOODS AND DELICACIES
IN ARMM
Basilan delicacies
•Dulang - "Yakan dish; a thanksgiving set of food composed
of rice mixed with “malagkit,” viands like “kaliya” (Yakan
chicken dish), “kenna” (fried fish) and vegetable dish, with
the cone-shaped rice placed on a large round platter with
banana leaves and the viands surrounding it"

Kaliya Manuk - "chicken cooked by Yakan ladies for rituals,

thickened by ground rice and colored yellow using turmeric"
LANAO DEL SUR DELICACIES
•Palapa is a sweet and spicy Filipino condiment consisting
of thinly chopped white scallions (sakurab), pounded
ginger (luya pagirison), turmeric (kalawag), labuyo chili
(luya tiduk), and toasted grated coconut (niog). It originates
from the Maranao people of Lanao del Sur.

•Chicken Piaparan
•Chicken Piaparan is a dish made up of chicken with
desiccated coconut and turmeric. It is usually served during
feasts or happy events. The cooking style is like chicken
curry without the curry. The soup may be served separately
and palapa is usually used as its side dish as it gives the
extra spiciness most Maranaos look for.
MAGUINDANAO DELICACIES
• Tinapayan
salted fish with fermented rice
• Tinadtag 
looks like crispy bihon noodles shaped in a
triangle. It is made of finely ground rice mixed
with sugar and fried until it is a crisp golden
brown.
SULU DELICACIES
•Chicken piyanggang
•Piyanggang is a light green chicken dish made
of the same pulp used in the Tiyula Sug but
with added coconut milk to make it creamier.

•PIYOTO (SALTED CASSAVA CAKE,

WITH COCONUT FLAKES)
•Steamed Cassava Salted Cake, is very
common to all people living in Sulu. It’s like
an appetizer, in which it is eaten before the
meal.
TAWI- TAWI DELICACIES
• SYAGUL 
• A very spicy and tasty meat of stingray cooked
with coconut milk then added with burned
coconut grated meat that gave the sauce its olive
like color.

• Agal-Agal (Seaweed):
•  Tawi-Tawi is said to be the “Seaweed capital of
the Philippines” and they even celebrate an
Agal-Agal Festival every September to
showcase their major industry. 
FESTIVALS IN ARMM
• MEGUYAYA FESTIVAL (Upi, Maguindanao-December 19)
• The term is a Teduray word meaning ‘Merrymaking and Thanksgiving” This is a
universal expression of thanksgiving for the triumphs, abundance, prosperity or
any form of blessing received.

• KALILANG SA RANAO (Marawi City) (April 15)

•  A festival commemorating the charter anniversary celebration of Marawi City
Highlights of the festival are Qur’an Reading Contest, presentation of colorful
Muslim songs and dances, Islamic Quiz Bee, exhibits of Maranao crafts, native
delicacies, traditional games and musical instruments competition.

• SEAWEED FESTIVAL (Bongao, Tawi-Tawi) (September 25)

• This Festival is also called Agal- agal Festival (local name for carrageen seaweed),
Thanksgiving festivity for its good harvest (similar to Meguyaya). 
• SHARIFF KABUNSUAN FESTIVAL (Maguindanao) (December
19)
• Shariff Kabunsuan Festival is a very significant event not only to
Maguindanao people Cotabato City and Region XII but to the
whole Muslim Mindanao.

• SHEIK KARIMUL MAKDUM FESTIVAL (Simunul, Tawi-Tawi)

(November 07)
• Sheik Karimul Makhdum Festival is celebrated in commemoration
for his good deeds for bringing Islam to the land. Sheik Karimul
Makhdum is a 13th century Muslim missionary from Malaysia who
established the first mosque in the Philippines.
MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN ARMM

• The thriving industries in ARMM Region include

Manggosteen, canned tuna, mango, rubber and
poultry products.