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Heritage Sites

Torogan of Marawi City: Home of the Sultans

torogan marawi city mindanaoThe Torogan is the traditional residence of the reigning Sultan of the Maranaw people and his family. It is where the community traditionally gathers for wedding thanksgiving rites, enthronements and vigils for the dead. For more than two and a half centuries, the Dayawan torogan served as a school for living traditions and an important cultural center for the different peoples in Lanao del Sur, one of the provinces of the Philippines.

The torogan is a masterpiece of Filipino craftsmanship. Carved on the torogan wooden posts is the niyaga, a stylized mythical snake design that can be found in many Muslim artworks. Each design was different, and varied in detail and the degree of complexity. The whole structure was put together without using a single nail. Instead, the wooden beams are skillfully interlocked together and the building has remained standing for almost 265 years. The lumber was hauled to the construction site by carabaos using bamboo sleds over a distance of some twenty kilometers. (more…)

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Vigan: The Old World Charm Of Ilocos

by: John Grant

vigan crisologo streetGoing to the province of Ilocos is like treading back in time. Not only for the Spanish colonial houses, but for the simple, laid-back feel of the towns and its people.

In old times, Ilocandia has been described as a God-forsaken land because of its arid and difficult terrain. But the hardy people of this province had the patience and the will to survive, and eventually turned it into a lush and abundant highland. Amidst all these, is a rich history consisting of legendary uprisings, monumental edifices, and noble men and women who have made Ilocos a unique and remarkable place that it is today. (more…)

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