COMPOSITE PROVINCES IN ARMM

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Filipino: Rehiyong Awtonomus sa Muslim Mindanao)
(abbreviated ARMM) is an Autonomous region of the Philippines, located in the Mindanao island group of
thePhilippines, that is composed of five predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan (except Isabela City),Lanao
del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government. The regional capital is
at Cotabato City, although this city is outside of its jurisdiction.
The ARMM previously included the province of Shariff Kabunsuan until 16 July 2008, when Shariff Kabunsuan
ceased to exist as a province after the Supreme Court of the Philippines declared the "Muslim Mindanao Autonomy
Act 201", which created it, unconstitutional in Sema v. Comelec.[2]
On 7 October 2012, President Benigno Aquino III said that the government aimed to have peace in the autonomous
region and that it will become known as Bangsamoro,[3] a compound of bangsa (nation) and Moro.[4]

For the most part of Philippines' history, the region and most of Mindanao have been a separate territory, which
enabled it to develop its own culture and identity. The region has been the traditional homeland ofMuslim
Filipinos since the 15th century, even before the arrival of the Spanish who began to colonize most of the Philippines
in 1565. Muslim missionaries arrived inTawi-Tawi in 1380 and started the conversion of the native population to Islam.
In 1457, the Sultanate of Sulu was founded, and not long after that the sultanates ofMaguindanao and Buayan were
also established. At the time when most of the Philippines was under Spanish rule, these sultanates maintained their
independence and regularly challenged Spanish domination of the Philippines by conducting raids on Spanish
coastal towns in the north and repulsing repeated Spanish incursions in their territory. It was not until the last quarter
of the 19th century that the Sultanate of Sulu formally recognized Spanish sovereignty, but these areas remained
loosely controlled by the Spanish as their sovereignty was limited to military stations and garrisons and pockets of
civilian settlements in Zamboanga andCotabato,[6] until they had to abandon the region as a consequence of their
defeat in the SpanishAmerican War.
The Moros had a history of resistance against Spanish, American, and Japanese rule for over 400 years. The violent
armed struggle against the Japanese,Filipinos, Spanish, and Americans is considered by current Moro Muslim
leaders as part of the four centuries long "national liberation movement" of the Bangsamoro (Moro Nation).[7] The
400-year-long resistance against the Japanese, Americans, and Spanish by the Moro Muslims persisted and
morphed into their current war for independence against the Philippine state.[8]
In 1942, during the early stages of Pacific War of the Second World War, troops of the Japanese Imperial Forces
invaded and overran Mindanao and the nativeMoro Muslims waged an insurgency against the Japanese. Three years

later, in 1945, combined United States and Philippine Commonwealth Army troops liberated Mindanao, and with the
help of local guerrilla units ultimately defeated the Japanese forces occupying the region.

CULTURE
The native Maguindanaon and other native Muslim/non-Muslim groups have a culture
that revolves around kulintang music, a specific type of gong music, found among
both Muslim and non-Muslim groups of theSouthern Philippines.
LITERARY FORM
MANILA, Philippines - Anak-Mindanao partylist Rep. Sitti Djaliah Turabin Hataman partners with the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for some historical projects. Incidentally, ARMM is
celebrating its 25th founding anniversary this month.
Composed of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the ARMM has been the
traditional homeland of Muslims. For centuries, the sultanates in this part of Mindanao have established
their own culture and government. The ARMM was created by law as an independent region in Muslim
Mindanao and held its first elections in 1990. As part of President Noynoy Aquinos reform agenda in
establishing peace in the region, the ARMM will be known as Bangsamoro by 2016.
The festivity kicked off with a local pilgrimage to the countrys oldest mosque, the Sheik Makdum, in
Timunul, Tawi-Tawi, last Nov. 7. Built in the 14th Century by an Arab trader, the historic site was named a
National Treasure by former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Meanwhile, the Morolympics sports festival is being held until Nov. 18 at the Office of the Regional
Council (ORC) Compound in Cotabato City. The teams come from the ARMM local government units and
the executive branch.
ARMM will pay tribute to the people who served the region former ARMM secretaries, legislators and
governors at the Mini Theater. The ARMM will also award pioneering employees and retirees.
The climax of the two-week event is a cultural program titled Gabi ng Kultura at Kasaysayan, showcasing
Muslim history and culture. Prince of Beads and Tausog designer Amir Sali will present his fashion
collection inspired by the Maranao, Maguindanao, Yakan and Tausug clothing. Maranaos, Yakans,
Tausugs and Maguindanaos will also present the best of their music, drama and dance in cultural
numbers.

Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Delicacies, crafts and products from the ARMM region will be featured in booths at the ORC compound.
ARMM Gov. Mujiv Sabbihi Hataman said that these events serve as a good promotion. These will take
us out from obscurity as the public sees our cultural treasures.
Fortunately, Hatamans idealism and vision are matched by his politician-wife Princess Sitti, who
succeeded her husband as representative of Anak Mindanao Party List.