MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The "Peace Walk: Fashion For A Cause" was back on the runway here with stunning creations by local fashion designers!

Peace champions walked the runway at the Mindanao State University Gymnasium, Thursday, Oct. 20, in dresses designed with 'langkit' accents, a band of woven Meranaw fabric.

The fashion show was organized by Raheemah Peace Weavers Cooperative in partnership with Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, and Save the Children Philippines as one of the core events of the Marawi liberation 5th anniversary commemoration.

The fashion show featured 29 peace champions dressed in various collections by local fashion designers Abdel Esmail, Abudar O H Isah, Hafiz "Sasa Stylista" Abdul, Alinabil Jeru Ala, and Jubair JB Lomodag Ali.

Leading the peace champions were Raheemah Peace Weavers Executive Director Sittie Aishah Baicon Cayongcat-Nuska and TFBM Field Office Manager Asec. Felix Castro Jr.

They are joined by Lanao del Sur Provincial Social Welfare & Development Officer Mariam Balindong Casim, First Maranao Lady Architect Janisha Batuampar Dimaampao-Ali, Lanao del Sur 2 Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Rubina Mimbantas, City Schools Division of Marawi Superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto, DXSO Radio ng Bayan Marawi Station Manager Baealabi Soraida Maruhom Sabdullah, Assistant Provincial Health Officer and Chief of the Technical Services Dra. Apasrah Macumbal Mapupuno, Teen Achiever Shareef Aleigh Pacasum, Kid Achiever Raja Emiyr Youssef Pacasum, Ditsaan-Ramain town Senior Councilor Nurbani C. Macaraya, MSU Summa Cum Laude Nurhafeiza Jannah Imaam Abinal, Lanao del Sur Board Member Jamil Faisal Saro Adiong, Navy Captain Norsal Diampuan Dimaporo, Bangsamoro Commissioner on the Promotion of Cultural Heritage Maulana Marohombsar Alonto.

Davao City’s Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2022 Beauty Rose Gandarosa, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Assistant Governor Atty. Arifa Alauya Ala, and Malaysian visitors Norisham Baharin, managing director of Flavorista Malaysia, and University Putra Malaysia senior lecturer Dr. Wan Melissa Wan Hassan also walked on the runway.

Members of the Rawaten Children Advisory Council and representatives of Save the Children Philippines likewise participated in the fashion show.

Nuska said the show aims not only to revitalize the cultural heritage of Meranaws but also to showcase the fusion of the weaving and fashion industry through local couturiers.

“The peace walk is an effort to bridge the link between cultural revitalism, the economic aspiration of the people, and the peacebuilding effort," she said.

The holding of peace walk was also part of the legacy event for the 'Restoring Livelihoods and Learning Marawi Project' funded by the government of Japan through the Asian Development Bank and implemented by Save the Children Philippines. The event is anchored on the theme 'Kapelayalayag', a Meranaw word for 'journey' to highlight the project's journey in creating colorful, economically-empowered and peaceful Marawi for women and children. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)