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Lanao del Sur Wedding Destination

Lanao del Sur - Cradle Of Muslim Art

Lanao comes from the word ranao, meaning "lake." The province centers on the basin of Lake Lanao; thus, it is the land of the Maranaos, the "people of the lake." The Maranaos are among the most devout of Muslim tribes as well as the most artistic. Nowhere is this more evident than in the people's most natural way of life and the land's most attractive sites.

Speaking of attractive sites, Lanao del Sur has an array of sites that reflect the Maranao way of life and the Muslim culture. From museums to cultural villages, to natural sites, once can see a reflection and experience their culture-rich way of life.

Demographics

1. Population - 1,138,544 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area - 12,051.9 sq. km
3. Capital - Marawi City
4. Language/Dialect - Maranao, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (1)

  • Marawi City

Municipalities (39)

  • Bacolod-Kalawi (Bacolod-Grande)
  • Balabagan
  • Balindong (Best Municipality)
  • Bayang
  • Binidayan
  • Buadiposo-Buntong
  • Bubong
  • Bumbaran
  • Butig
  • Calanogas
  • Ditsaan-Ramain
  • Ganassi
  • Kapai
  • Kapatagan
  • Lumba-Bayabao
  • Lumbaca-Unayan
  • Lumbatan
  • Lumbayanague
  • Madalum
  • Madamba (Uya-an)
  • Maguing
  • Malabang
  • Marantao
  • Marogong
  • Masiu
  • Mulondo
  • Pagayawan (Tatarikan)
  • Pinantao
  • Poona Bayabao (Gata)
  • Pualas
  • Saguiaran
  • Sultan Dumalondong
  • Picong (Sultan Gumander)
  • Tagoloan II
  • Tamparan
  • Taraka
  • Tubaran
  • Tugaya
  • Wao
Famous For ...

Lake Lanao
The life of the Maranaos centers on Lake Lanao, the second largest and deepest in the Philippines and one of the most breathtakingly beautiful. The lake is surrounded with myths and legends.

Aga Khan Museum
This repository of Maranao and other Moro artifacts boasts a huge collection of indigenous art and cultural materials.

Mindanao State University (MSU)
Founded in 1962, it serves as an educational institute and a center of social and cultural integration.

Places of Interest

Cultural

Aga Khan Museum
Location: Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
Named in honor of King Aga Khan who contributed to the realization of the museum. Historical development is banked on the large space where cultural materials where conserved. It has a huge, collection of indigenous art and recorded ethnic music tapes. It also highlights the native folk dances from different regions of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan. The native tools and weapons used by the Muslims and different artistic designs of houses are the main attractions of museum.

Cultural Town of Tugaya
Location: Tugaya, Lanao del Sur
It has a near-exclusive reputation for producing brassware, being the only community in the province that produces excellent brassware. Practically every family has a bellows in the area where the metals are smelted. Using the cire perdule or lost wax technique, cannons and gongs, betelnut boxes and rice pots are made.

Torogans & Sambitory Old Building
Location: Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
The unique natural setting of the Maranaos in the city is best manifested by the presence of the many large torogans, the Maranao houses, characterized by an antique royal high roof with curved designs.

Historical

Moncado Colony
Location: Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
It was named in honor of Dr. Hilario Camino Del Prado Moncado, who is best known as the founder and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Filipino Crusaders World Army. He is a leader, an organizer, author of books and lecturer of humanities, a delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention and a candidate for President of the Philippines in 1941.

Man-made

Mindanao State University
Location: Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
Mindanao State University was established on September 1, 1961. Formal classes opened in June 1962. It has six autonomous campuses throughout Mindanao.

Kilometer Zero Point Marker
Location: Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
It is an important landmark in Lanao del Sur, from which all distances in Mindanao are measured. This is similar to the measures of distances in Manila which begin at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park.

Natural

Lake Lanao
Location: Lanao del Sur
It is the largest lake in Mindanao, and the second largest lake in the Philippines and counted as one of the 15 ancient lakes in the world. It is also the deepest in the Philippines, at 2,300 feet above sea level. The lake is home to 18 endemic species of freshwater fish and supports a large number of waterfowl.

Agus River
Location: Marawi City - Linamon, Lanao del Sur
It is considered as the swiftest river in the country. Its famous cataract is the Maria Cristina Falls, outlet of Lake Lanao to Illana Bay. In Maranao mythology, Lake Lanao once threatened to drown the people of Sebangan with its ever-rising waters. The Archangel Gabriel is thought to have made the Agus river in order to drain the lake.

Bagang Beach
Location: Caloocan, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
The beach is filled with rocks and boulders that serve as benches, and trees in the lakeside that provide shade. It is ideal for picnics, and its clear water makes it a good place for boating and swimming.

Mt. Mupo (Sacred Mountain)
Location: Brgy. Papandayan and Guimba, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
It is proclaimed as one of the national park and protected area. The forest area covers around 372.986 hectares. A variety of high value timber trees such as narra, lawaan and tangile. It is known for its untouched trees, beautiful and perfect cone.

Mt. Siningcaongan or Signal Hill
Location: Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
It is occupied as the home of the military camp of the battalion command of the Philippine Army. This small mountain is facing the Provincial Capitol of Lanao del Sur and the panoramic view of Lake Lanao .

Festivals

Eidil Adha
Place: Bacolod-Kalawi, Lanao del Sur,
Date: Two and a half months after the Eid’l Fitr
it is in commemoration of the Islam Revolution. It signifies the progressive realization of Islamic principles and teachings among believers.

Learn More
How To Get There?

By Air-Land:
From Manila, take a flight bound for Cotabato City. Another option is to take a flight bound for Lanao del Norte. From there, several taxis travels to Marawi City.

By Sea:
Manila to Cagayan de Oro City travel by sea takes about an entire day. Once at the port, there are available public vehicles bound for Marawi City.