#159 - RFA Interview:
Elin Anisha Guro,
Former Vice Chancellor of Mindanao State University,
Marawi City, Lanao del Sur Province, Philippines (August 2017)
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Voice of Educated Reason,
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BESIEGED MARAWI CITY AND THE MARANAO PEOPLE NEED SUPPORT!
The battle of Marawi, between Philippine government forces and terrorist groups, many of whom have come into Marawi and Maranao lands from outside the Philippines, currently rages for control of this symbolic and culturally rich city surrounded by a beautiful ancient countryside.
Marawi is located in the cool tropical mountain region nestled around the stunningly beautiful Lake Lanao, the largest lake in Mindanao and second largest lake in the Philippines (340km sq). It is also considered one of the 15 ancient lakes of the world (those lakes that have carried water for more than 1 million years). Lake Lanao is estimated to be up to 20 million years old in this ancient landscape.
Marawi City is also known as the "Summer Capital of the South" for its cool climate due to its high elevation. The city stands 700 meters above the sea level. It is home to some stunning sights such as the grand lake to the architectural wonders of Maranao royalty abode. Lanao is derived from a Maranao word “Ranao” meaning a body of water. “Meranau” means lake dweller. The Maranao are the natives of the place occupying the land around Lake Lanao.
- [A live video feed of the RFA interview via phone patch to Ms Guro, recorded using "El Anisha" Facebook account, went global with many comments flowing in from around the world during and after the interview. After just the first day of the interview there had already been more than 5,000 video views and over 100 supportive comments for Ms Guro, demonstrating the extraordinary support and goodwill which she enjoys.]
The battle of Marawi, between Philippine government forces and terrorist groups, many of whom have come into Marawi and Maranao lands from outside the Philippines, currently rages for control of this symbolic and culturally rich city surrounded by a beautiful ancient countryside.
Marawi is located in the cool tropical mountain region nestled around the stunningly beautiful Lake Lanao, the largest lake in Mindanao and second largest lake in the Philippines (340km sq). It is also considered one of the 15 ancient lakes of the world (those lakes that have carried water for more than 1 million years). Lake Lanao is estimated to be up to 20 million years old in this ancient landscape.
Marawi City is also known as the "Summer Capital of the South" for its cool climate due to its high elevation. The city stands 700 meters above the sea level. It is home to some stunning sights such as the grand lake to the architectural wonders of Maranao royalty abode. Lanao is derived from a Maranao word “Ranao” meaning a body of water. “Meranau” means lake dweller. The Maranao are the natives of the place occupying the land around Lake Lanao.
Photo above: Lake Lanao, with its stunning beauty, considered one of the most ancient lakes in the world.
Photo below: Elin Anisha Guro with participants in the question and answer forum on the Marawi conflict at the Australian National University (ANU). Other people in the photo with Ms Guro are senior embassy officials, senior ANU academics and specialists on the Philippines and South East Asia, Filipino students from the ANU and community leaders.
Photo below: Elin Anisha Guro with participants in the question and answer forum on the Marawi conflict at the Australian National University (ANU). Other people in the photo with Ms Guro are senior embassy officials, senior ANU academics and specialists on the Philippines and South East Asia, Filipino students from the ANU and community leaders.
Ms Guro is a former Vice Chancellor of Mindanao State University (MSU), a Fulbright Scholar from New York, USA, and a PhD candidate at Melbourne University, Australia. She conducted an interview with RFA to help spread the word about the current terrible plight of her homeland and beloved people.
She has been instrumental in the last month in helping students go back to study at the MSU whilst bombs and bullets explode and fly around them. The bravery of the students who are determined to continue their education, and Ms Guro's organisational support for them is commendable and morally inspiring.
She has been instrumental in the last month in helping students go back to study at the MSU whilst bombs and bullets explode and fly around them. The bravery of the students who are determined to continue their education, and Ms Guro's organisational support for them is commendable and morally inspiring.
In this heartbreaking interview Ms Guro is highly articulate as she talks with passion and emotion about her beloved homeland which is now being ravaged by war. She talks about the roots of conflict in her homeland which extend back to Spanish colonisation approximately half a millennium ago which her people resisted. She also discusses the recent triggers to the current conflict and the different groups involved.
Ms Guro further mentions with great sadness about the refugee situation. She specifically refers to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Almost all her family and friends have been forced to flee their homeland in the last few months. Some have also fled to other parts of the world. She asks people around the Philippines and the world to help her people in need. The Maranao people of Marawi need financial assistance and moral support.
Photo below: Marawi City in heavy smoke during intense fighting.
Ms Guro further mentions with great sadness about the refugee situation. She specifically refers to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Almost all her family and friends have been forced to flee their homeland in the last few months. Some have also fled to other parts of the world. She asks people around the Philippines and the world to help her people in need. The Maranao people of Marawi need financial assistance and moral support.
Photo below: Marawi City in heavy smoke during intense fighting.
Photo above: Maranao refugees fleeing the war in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur province. They were headed to Iligan City, ("Ilig" means "to go downstream"), in Lanao del Norte province, where they sought shelter, food and safety in evacuation centres.
Photo below: Refugees at one of the crowded evacuation centres on the outskirts of Marawi City.
Photo below: Refugees at one of the crowded evacuation centres on the outskirts of Marawi City.
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What is most notable about her interview is her strong spirit. She is a true courageous leader who wants peace in her homeland. She proudly talks about the blood and DNA of her ancestors which runs through her veins and how she and her Maranao people intend to rebuild their city house by house, and barangay by barangay (village) to honour their ancestry, culture and motherland. Ms Guro is very determined and says that in this endeavour the Maranao people "will prevail". All the people of the Philippines need to stand united with their noble Maranao country men and women (kababayans) in their time of need to show the strong and good spirit of the Filipino people in all their historical, cultural and religious diversity. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Photo left: Elin Anisha Guro, Former Vice Chancellor of Mindanao State University (MSU), Marawi City, proudly wearing her unique traditional Maranao and Islamic clothing during a cultural talk in Canberra, Australia. |
Photo above: A Maranao Sarimanok parade during a festival. The Sarimanok is a mythical bird of the Maranao people. It comes from the words “sari” and “manok.” “Sari” means cloth or garment, which is generally of assorted colors. "Manòk" is a Philippine word for chicken. It has become a ubiquitous symbol of Maranao art for which the talented and skillful Maranao people are very famous. The spirit and culture of the Maranao people, like that of Elin Anisha Guro, are strong, and they will stand tall to rebuild their culture, traditions and religion even stronger in the future to continue their unique identity in order to honour their ancestors and motherland.