MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Appreciations and praises poured in for master artisans during the culmination ceremony of the Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) skills training program of the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage-Lanao del Sur (BCPCH-LDS) due to their contributions in preserving the cultural heritage and traditions.

"It is important to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our cultural masters and trainees that have gone into the skills training program. Both the cultural masters and the trainees have gone countless hours to learn and perfect their craft, and it is only fitting that we celebrate their achievement today," said BCPCH-LDS chairperson Dr. Salem Lingasa.

Mindanao State University Department of History Professor Tirmizy Abdullah said it is only right to be proud of the master artisans because of their contributions to the cultural heritage by making and producing various cultural assets. 

He said it is everyone's responsibility to preserve it and pass it on to the next generation as he believes that the culture of Lanao and the Bangsamoro is rich and deserves to be recognized around the world.

Meanwhile, Marawi Compensation Board Chairperson Lawyer Maisara Dandamun-Latiph commended not only the master artisans but also the learners for their participation and interest in learning the culture. 

"Our learners are the next generation of tradition keepers. Sila ang ating mapagkakatiwalaan na magtuturo sa mga bagong henerasyon(they are the ones we can trust to teach the new generations). To all the learners, congratulations on your hard work. Keep sharing these skills, keep our culture alive," said Latiph. 

After completing the SLT skills training program, trainees expressed their gratitude to BCPCH-LDS for organizing the program and to the master artisans for sharing their knowledge and talent with them.

"Sa una mahirap kasi wala akong idea sa paggawa ng langkit pero napakasaya kasi yung mga trainers namin ay napaka-approachable nila kaya madali rin kami natuto sa paggawa ng langkit," said Ainah Datumanong, langkit-weaving trainee. 

(At first, it was difficult because I had no idea about making a langkit, but we were very happy because our trainers were very approachable, so we learned how to make langkit easily.) 

"Nagpapasalamat kami sa BCPCH-LDS sa pagconduct ng ganitong programa kasi nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon para matutunan at maipromote ang aming kultura," said Amerodin Abdulhamid, baor making trainee.

(We are grateful to BCPCH-LDS for conducting this program because we were allowed to learn and promote our culture.) (JND/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)