MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--With its dedication to highlight even more the Maranao culture, the Raheemah Peace Weavers Producer Cooperative commenced training for the first batch of beneficiaries of its Meranaw Academy Program.

In partnership with the provincial government of Lanao del Sur through its Provincial Tourism Office, the training successfully carried on with the participants coming from different provincial offices, media partners, and the city government here.

This initiative is one of the capacity development programs of the Raheemah Economic Hub and Development Center in partnership with Save the Children Philippines to promote Meranaw cultural heritage through a series of learning modules developed by the organization named "Paninggalan: Pezinanadan ko basa, adat, taritib ago igma o Bangsa Meranaw". 

City Community Affairs Office Head Abulkhair Alibasa said the training led by the cooperative’s Meranaw Academy Program was relevant and timely, especially since this would help them understand and banner their distinct alphabet, norms, and customary laws.

He testified that as he joined the pilot session, he gained enough knowledge that it could be applied in his day-to-day life.

"I cannot wait for more learning in the days to come. An eye-opener indeed, and that is why we are thankful to Raheemah for coming up with this Meranaw Academy and to the PLGU for considering us in this first batch of trainees," said Alibasa.

Akhzanuniza Alonto from the Lanao del Sur Provincial Engineer's Office also affirmed the offer of honing the Maranaos knowledge of their own race.

She stressed that although she already has an innate love and appreciation for their tradition, there are still a lot of matters that need to be discovered and comprehended. 

Moreover, Alonto believed that this was also a means to stir everyone, including children, to continuously obtain teaching about their culture, values, and principles.

"The Meranaw Academy is exactly that—an avenue for us to further understand our God-given heritage, and I feel fortunate to be among the participants of its pilot class," she said. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)