Syjongtian : Good day now we will explore the Mindanao, the second largest island and may

fond in the southern part of the Philippine archipelago “Land of Promise”.

Syjontian : now we will tour you in Jolo the capital of Sulu and let us discover things in there.
(play montage video of Sulu and picture)

Manaois (voice over): Sulu Archipelago, archipelago comprising hundreds of volcanic and coral
islands and numerous rocks and reefs in the southwestern Philippines. The islands are thickly
forested, and their fertile soils support some rice, cassava, coconuts, and fruit. Marine-based
activities, however, are the economic mainstay. It is a double island chain, it extends 170 miles
(270 km) southwest from Basilan island off southwestern Mindanao and ends near the eastern
shores of Sabah (East Malaysia). The Sulu “sea world” has had a tempestuous history. Its people
have been characterized by a fierce sense of cultural and political independence. The islanders
were converted to Islam by the missionary adventurer Abū Bakr in the mid-15th century.
Manaois : Here are some events in Sulu
Transition (rajah baguinda festival pictures)

Aganon : Rajah Baguinda Festival is celebrated every 2nd week of August. The festival is
celebrated to the essential contribution of Rajah Baguinda in history. The history of this
celebration dates back to 1390 with the arrival of Rajah Baguinda from Sumatra Indonesia. He
led the spread of the adoptation of Sulu Sultanate government and Islam religion. It starts on
the second week of August in Jolo, Sulu. Knowing that they have the same faith, the natives
accepted Rajah in the island and his arrival is not welcomed by the natives but he fought back.
Participants are in the city throughout with the colorful costumes and the performance of
different cultural shows is done to give honor to the arrival of Rajah.
Aganon : next we will know who are the artists in Sulu
Transition (picture of Abdulmari Imao)

Jumao-as : One of the artist in Sulu is Abdulmari Imao. A native of Sulu, Abdulmari Asia Imao is
a sculptor, painter, photographer, ceramist, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher,
writer, and articulator of Philippine Muslim art and culture. Through his works, the indigenous
ukkil, sarimanok and naga motifs have been popularized and instilled in the consciousness of
the Filipino nation and other peoples as original Filipino creations. His U.P. art education
introduced him to Filipino masters like Guillermo Tolentino and Napoleon Abueva, who were
among his mentors. With his large-scale sculptures and monuments of Muslim and regional
heroes and leaders gracing selected sites from Batanes to Tawi-tawi, Imao has helped develop
among cultural groups trust and confidence necessary for the building of a more just and
humane society.
Here are his artworks (picture of sarimanok)

Jumao-as : The sarimanok is a stunning, multicolored bird emerging from the folk legends of the
Maranao people in Mindanao. Akin to the phoenix in its mythical and elusive qualities, there
are many stories surrounding this captivating creature. It is the legendary bird that has become
an ubiquitous symbol of Maranao art. It is depicted as a fowl with colorful wings and feathered
tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head is profusely decorated with scroll, leaf, and
spiral motifs. It is said to be a symbol of good fortune.

Araojo : Other artist in Sulu is “Darhata Sawabi” (transition her picture) Darhata Sawabi is a
Filipino weaver from Parang, Sulu known for pis syabit, a traditional Tausūg cloth tapestry worn
as a head covering by the people of Jolo. She was hailed as an expert in weaving colorful
squares of cloth used for the pis syabit and for adornment of the native attire, bags and
accessories as well as in teaching the art to the younger generation.

One of her artworks is Pis Siyabit (picture of pis siyabit)

Araojo : In Barangay Parang, in the island of Jolo, Sulu province, women weavers are hard at
work weaving the pis syabit, the traditional cloth tapestry worn as a head covering by the
Tausug of Jolo. Pis Siyabit is a Tausug woven head-cloth made from cotton or silk (or with gold
threads) characterized with intricate geometric patterns of colors segmented into the smallest
squares, triangles and diamonds.