Arkat A Lawanen and the Women Film Festival

By Asa T. Madale
Iligan City, Philippines
March 26, 2018

The Philippines Commission on Women, Department of Interior and Local Government and Film Development Council of the Philippines just Launched "CINEMARYA: Women Film Festival," held in Manila on March 22,2018. Let’s do this, Chair LIZA DINO- SEGUERRA, ASEC MARJORIE JALOSLOS, TRIX UMALI and HONEY M. CASTRO # WOMEN MAKE CHANGE #CINEMARYA. - ATM/RSP

Here’s my story adopted from the Darangen (a compilation of Maranao folktale, legends and true stories of the Maranao Kingdom)

Title: Arkat A Lawanen (precious Lawanen)

Genre: Romance, Action, Fantasy, Drama

Prologue:

Once there was this powerful Kingdom in Mindanao, a well-known rich cultured kingdom known as Bembaran. In this kingdom lies the daughter of Ayunan Pasandalan, sultan of Bembaran, named Princess Lawanen. Lawanen in her younger days, lived in a separate world from her parents and brother, she lived in a Lamin (A room for the future princesses and created in the sky) and was trained to be the Arkat A Lawanen is a Marawi Icon Doll especially created for some Marawi IDPS affected by the Marawi Siege.

This livelihood project aims to develop talented Maranao women who have special skills in weaving Malong, langkit and inawol, that normally display their colorful indigenous culture and traditions.

This livelihood program wanted a sustainable development project that shall give Maranao woman a decent living to sustain there basic needs. That eventually shall teach them socio-enterprising while trapped in some evacuation center.

At the same time, while they are learning the crossroads of survival for a living, they are going to teach the world about thier rich culture and traditions using the meduim of the Dolls as Arakat A Lawanen Famous Princess in the Darangen epic, who was living in a lamen (torogan, house) with extra ordinary beauty and power.Thus, creating dolls will also strengthen the tourism and awareness about the survivors of Marawi siege.

In every Muslim community Woman plays an important role of the transformation of the society.

This is the equal transition of the modern heroes of Maranao woman society.

At present , DILG ASEC, Marjorie N. Jalosjos who handles the special concern and GAD ensures that eventually Arkat A Lawanen Marawi IDPs Dolls will find its way to the market to empower every Maranao woman with special interest in Doll making.

Jalosjos also launched the CineMarya last March 22, 2018 as film making contest that shall.tackle woman issues that bring out the Magna Carta Law. She intends to localize this film festival to touch the heart of women especially those that live in the remote areas.

the noble endeavor is in partnership with Philippine Woman Commission and the Film Development Cinema Acadmy chaired by Liza Dino-Seguerra. 

Ms Dinio accepted the challenge of developing the artistic innovative ideas for the sake of creating awareness about woman's life.

Every one is invited as the saying goes. You can send messages through the power of tried media. - ATM/RSP