You probably wonder why I am writing about this subject. Some of you readers here are friends of mine on Facebook. Maybe some of you hardly open your Facebook too. Well if you are a frequent FB user, you’ve probably noticed my recent profile photo.
I changed my picture, to one with me wearing a hijab. It was really my first time to wear it. A hijab is a cloth that covers your head (entire hair) and just your face suppose to be seen. That photo, that was taken a few years ago when we visited Tugaya, near Marawi City, in Lanao del Sur Province, which is probably at least 80% Muslim.
For a Muslim woman it’s a natural thing to wear one. So being I had one on in that picture I was asked by someone on Facebook if I am a Muslim. I was shocked by the inquiry but I answered her back nicely. I told her that I am not a Muslim (nothing wrong if I were). For the record my dad is from Tagbilaran, Bohol, my mom was born from San Fernando,Cebu. But she was raise in Lala, Lanao. My parents met in Lala, Lanao. After few years of marriage, my parents moved to South Cotabato then, Sarangani Province. I was born in a small town in Malapatan, Sarangani Province. Grew up there until I went to high school (Notre Dame of Lagao For Girls then) in GenSan. Then college in Cebu City. Then 2 months shy of my college graduation I married Bob. Three months after graduation I went to the States and lived there for 10 years.
That photo was taken on one of my unforgettable visit to the places that many Filipinos dared not to go to. It was really an honor for me to be visiting there with the invitation of our special friends who live there. You can already tell that, that’s not the place for the tourist to go to. They fear of being kidnapped, in which case I can’t blame them of thinking that. Really the place was nice, but not also the place to visit if you don’t know anyone from there. We were just so lucky to have some friends that we knew that the family was from there. I am not going to mention who they are, but it was really a pleasure going there. Words can’t even explain how I felt on that day when we were there.
But to be totally honest I had mixed feelings after going there. I was happy to be there visiting the place. The people were nice and accommodating to us. The purpose of going there too was to see the stuff that they make there. They make big native drums, gongs, kulintang, brass vase, nice furniture with mother of pearl in-lay, swords and others. They had all those stuff but not many people go there to see and purchase because of fear. They had dealers that go there but just buy few stuff. The big plus of going there was seeing the beautiful Mosque that was built by the father of a friend of ours. It was really awesome. Our friend’s dad, he was just a grade school graduate, but he designed and built the Mosque. The upstairs was not totally done yet though. I think he used part of his own money for that mosque. I’ve heard women were not allowed to go inside the mosque. I was allowed because our friend told the caretaker to let me inside. I was humbled and honored by that and I really treasured that memory. The view upstairs was stunning and overlooking at Lake Lanao.
I was also sad being there, just seeing the way below poverty line people who live there. Just looking at the houses and the lifestyle they have there, really makes my heart ache for the people there. That’s one of the places that I’ve been that I cried while passing by. It’s really hard to explain what I saw there. But people still had smile on their faces seeing us. For the first time I saw the disposable diaper being washed and hung dry to re-use over again. It was really an eye opener for me. And I told my kids we are so lucky to have the life that we have now. We don’t live in fear. Those kids there, they might be on alert most of the time in case there is a war going in the area. That part of Mindanao really is on the “Hot Zone” (war zone as the press say). But I saw big and fancy houses on top of the hill side. I didn’t really know that rich people live there on top of the hill side.
But in short… no, I am not Muslim.
Help us pray for peace in Mindanao!
I fully understand Feym….
Hi Perla – Thank you so much my fellow Mindanaoan. Always good to see you here.
Take care and have a wonderful day!
Nice article Feyma.
Hi Kuya Robert – Thank you so much for the nice comment. Are you guys in the States already? Hope you had a good vacation here.
Take care Kuya Robert and hello to Ate Susie for me.
Have a great day!
Thank you for clearing that up for us. I suppose it is a natural assumption when one wears such clothing. You have mentioned God in some of your articles so can we assume you are some other religion. Sorry, but you have opened the hot topic now.
Hi Nick – Thanks… I was raised Catholic and studied in Catholic school (high school and college). Became born again Christian during college days. I’d rather not indulge anyone of my faith. It’s for me and my family. It’s enough for you guys to know that I’m a Christian and happy to be one.
Thank you for stopping by here!
Thank you Feyma, thought you may have been. My wife did the same as you from a Catholic background. We were married there in Davao in All Nations Christian Fellowship. Looking forward to getting back there and checking out their new church building.
Thank you so much Nick for stopping by here on LIP. Good luck and enjoy your next visit to the PI.
Have a pleasant day!
Hi Feyma – A lady from a christian church in Dumaguete had a similar picture on her facebook profile, but she was actually holding a gun in her picture. It sure makes people think and provokes reaction. From previous study head coverings far outdate the muslim and christian faiths, but people associate it as mainly Muslim now.
Hi brenton – I wore that hijab and respected the request of the friends that brought us there. I respected their wishes that the women should wear those when going there. I will tell you though I will not wear one and had gun on my hand. It’s just not for me I think.
We were even criticize a little bit that we’re wearing short sleeve shirt. Their were few of us women. We didn’t know before going there. It’s too late for us to change, we are already halfway there before anyone mentioned it to us. Anyway, we agreed to go there. So we had to follow what they want us to do to wear hijab.
Thank you for sharing that story. Good to see you again here. Cheers!
For me personally never even crossed my mine one way or the other, . Now I will read your article 🙂
Thank you Kenneth.
This kinda got me to thinking. If one of my friends said they were Muslem or even if I just met the person, Im not going to change how I feel about that person or judge him. Christ wouldn’t. Christians killed in the name of Christ, I wouldn’t call them Christians. I consider myself a Christian because I believe in Jesus Christ. Others considers themselves Muslem Buddist, etc. I believe all religious groups have killed others in the name of their GOD, let their GOD judge them. I do not and will not get into a discussion about this, everybody has their own beliefs and all should be accepted. We’ll know in the end
Hi again Kenneth -Totally… I’m with you, I don’t want to go into others beliefs. Like you, I’m happy with mine and Bob’s beliefs. I don’t get involve with what others do and what they believe in as long as it doesn’t affect me and my family especially my kids.
Good to see you here. Take care!
Hi Feyma,
I may have to start using my full name as there is another Jay commenting. I like your point about your beliefs and your husbands beliefs being the only ones that concern you. I actually went the opposite way you went I was Protestant and I became Catholic. Partly because of my wife. When we were writing before we got married, I started attending a Catholic Church in Raleigh to learn about her faith. I guess I am somewhat of a hybrid Catholic in that there are some belief of the Catholic Church I agree with and some that I don’t. There are also some Protestant beliefs I used to believe, but no longer think are correct. My point is that I think it is important to the raising of children to share a common faith.
On the head covering it always reminds me of the head covering worn by nuns. In the US most nuns no longer wear the habit, but there is one I have seen here in Raleigh that does. I think it was good that you showed respect to local customs when you were visiting. I always try to do the same.
Hi Jay Stainback – Good that you mention that, I of just one person too. Good that you clarify that. To be totally honest Bob was raise Catholic too like I am, both of us felt we’re happy to be Christians and the kids too.
Most nuns here covered their heads too. Some nuns they’re allowed to expose a little hair in the forehead, some are also totally covered. Correct, I’m glad you had a good attitude. We have to follow the rules of the place that we are going to visit or else we are in for trouble. Or better off not to go there if you have to have your own set of rules.
Nice to see you here. Have a wonderful day!
Thanks for your very appropriate and sensitive comments, Kenneth and Feyma. I totally agree with you. What we need more of is tolerance, understanding and acceptance in everyone’s right to belief however each person choses…as long as they also respect the rights of others to do the same without judgement or harm. I firmly believe that people who are strongly religious should lead the way in promoting love and peaceful co-existence, rather than emphasizing differences between people and their belief systems. Relgious and spiritual beliefs are an individual’s private choice, and should be honored as such. Peace, harmony, and best wishes to all….
Hi G T – Amen to that. Well said. I can’t agree you more.
Like what I said on my article too. Please help us pray for the land of Mindanao. I’m hoping and praying that Mindanaoan will achieve it through time. Peace and love to everyone!
Thank you for the article, Feyma. It got me thinking about ethnicitiy as opposed to faith in the Philippine context. If Filipino adherents to the Muslim faith are called Moros, what is the ethnic term for Filipinos who practice Christianity? This has been playing in my head since I saw the TITLE of your article.
Hi John Reyes – Hmm, you got me thinking there too. I guess growing up, I never heard my parents called other people through their faith. We’ve known people that were from other religion too.
Maybe someone here will enlighten us a bit. Feel free to share here guys.
Cheers and Mabuhay!
Hi Feyma – I am still pondering the answer to my own question in the post above, “If Filipino adherents to the Muslim faith are called Moros, what is the ethnic term for Filipinos who practice Christianity?” During the Spanish period, the same question would have been easier to answer. Since the Spanish colonizers were the ones. who coined the term, “Moro”, to refer to the Muslim indigeneous people they found in southern Philippines upon their arrival in the 16th century, they did so in a grudging tribute to the fierce but culturally cultivated Muslim Moors who settled in the Iberian peninsula.centuries ago. During colonization of Islas de las Filipinas, the Spanish largely deferred to the Moros, perhaps out of fear or foreign policy, or both, while they easily subdued the more docile and subservient pagans and the animists found in Luzon and the Visayas and proselytized them to the Christian tradition. The Spanish called these Christianized Austronesians, “Indios.” This was then.
Hi John Reyes – Good info there. Something for us to think about.
Thank you for sharing.
hi feyma,
i believe, though don’t know how “ethnic” this may sound but christians in the philippines are called “kristiano” o kaya, to give an example, saying to someone, “mga kristiano sila.” (they’re christians). or else “katoliko”, if you’re a catholic; “protestante”, if you’re a baptist, evangelical, etc..etc… some are “iglesia ni kristo!” and some others are “aglipayans!” and maybe that’s plain enough for me, and that’s how i knew of such from the beginning. btw, that term “moro” i didn’t encounter until much, much later because we were always taught in school that muslims were that, muslims, and can be found mostly in the island of mindanao, etc… just my two cents in! peace, indeed, is long overdue in mindanao! thank you for the article.
What does a head scarf or head covering have to do with who a person real is? Maybe time to show our intelligence instead of proving our ignorance. You look great in the photo and never need to explain why. Thank you for having the wisdom to respect another humans beliefs and customs. Keep it up, you make the world a better place.
Thank you so much Ralffy DipSwitch. Highly appreciated.
Have a great one!
I very nice article Feyma.
Thank you so much David. I really appreciate your comment.
Have a pleasant day!
I apologize for my little above rant but her article did move me. I think its great what she did, says volumes about her character and compassion for others.
Great article Feyma!! You and Bob explore everything and loved the post! #GodBless
Hi Tommy Seilheimer – Thank you so much for commenting my post. I really appreciate very much.
Good to see you here!
Thank you all of you for the nice comment. I really appreciate very much. Cheers. God bless!
Actually, I think it’s rather impolite for folks to put you on the spot like that. It’s really no one’s business. In my brief sojourn in the Middle East, I noticed that women of all faiths wore a hijab of one type or another. Whether it’s for religious reasons, simply to fit in without hassles, or out of respect for the culture, is no ones business but that individual.
Take care,
Pete
Hi Cordillera Cowboy – Sometimes people just didn’t think that way though.
*** In my brief sojourn in the Middle East, I noticed that women of all faiths wore a hijab of one type or another. Whether it’s for religious reasons, simply to fit in without hassles, or out of respect for the culture.*** — I think it’s probably both.
*** is no ones business but that individual.*** — I totally agree with you.
So nice seeing you back here again. Have a great day!
Cheers!
lovely article! very interesting
Thank you so much Victor Emanuel Nobrega.
Cheers!
The word Filipino comes from native of the Philippine Islands, that was named after King Philip of Spain. In the past Filipinos were known by their linguistic or native Island definitions as Visayans, Tagalogs, Tasuigs, etc, and other explorers before the Spanish era knew them collectively as “Malay people groups” related to Indonesian and Malaysian group of families. They are classified as Austronesian people groups that speak languages that are of the Malay-Austronesian grouping. 400 years of Spanish rule and isolation from other parts of Asia locked out by Spanish have considerably Westernized and Christianized much of the modern day Filipino people. Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia are all modern created nation-states, but their history they had their own unique original names for the kingdoms/regions/sultanates/Rajahnates that spanned the area, heavily influenced by Indian-Chinese-Indonesian systems of culture and beliefs.
Hi realist – I’m so glad to be learning those since grade school. But, thank you so much for the info it freshens all of our memories here.
Are you a history teacher here in the Philippines?
Mabuhay!
In hot climates, the head scarf keeps out dust and sand, and hot sun from spoiling the woman’s hair like a hat.
Hi realist – Maybe to some women, when they travel. I remember when I was a kid, some women wears a small cloth (just the size of a bowl) just inside the church. So for me it’s more than a hot climate thing. I think mostly its for a religious reason. that’s just a thought.
Thank you for your comment here. Have a good day!
Wow, that’s the trip of a lifetime. I need to get over there some time soon! Great pics too!
Feyma I really enjoyed your article and really want to visit Lanao del Sur! Very respectful of you to wear hijab while there. 🙂
Jay
Hi Jay Khilnani – That was really an awesome trip. But I would not recommend to travel there right now. Wait when it’s a bit stable in that part of the country.
i’m glad you like the place and the pictures.
Take care!
Your race and your friends is the same, some kind of Filipino. Your nationality is the same Filipino.
your religion is different you have so much in common like language. I have seen allover the Philippines poverty. I have bought many things I did not need, these our kin and we need to help each other.
Hi Rosanna – Yep for sure I’m of Filipino descent. It’s a common knowledge here that we have so many people lives below the poverty line. I agree with helping each other, as long as they also tried their best to help themselves.
Really good to see you here. Hoping to see you more here.
Cheers!
Mrs Feyma,
It would be nice if there was peace in Mindanao. That would really help tourism and growth for the Philippines, especially Mindanao. I am interested in the different native crafts from the area. But unfortunately there are so many different groups there and peace will be difficult
Hi PapaDuck – That’s would really be a good achievement for Mindanao then. Like you we are hoping here.
Yep, like that place that we went to, they had so many different native products there and good quality too. Bad too bad not much people shop there and not safe to go there now especially.
Let’s continue praying for peace in Mindanao. Thank you so much PapaDuck for your comment.
Mabuhay Mindanao!
Dear
It’s nice to know that a Christian woman and his husband went there and actually living there in Mindanao. As you mentioned right there in your article that the place there is like a war zone. I beg to disagree but that place over there is really a peaceful place. It’s just what really matters is the people you know there so as to be safe there. Whenever I drop by that place there, I always dream big when I see the monsters in Lake Lanao over there.
There you go.
Hi Abdul Kiram – Thank you so much. We really like living here.
It’s fine to disagree with me. We both free to say what we think. I’m still sticking to what I previously say “certain area in Mindanao that I will not and would not recommend to anyone to travel without knowing anyone from there. Especially right now”.
Really happy to see someone from around that area that reads and comment here. I really appreciate you thoughts Abdul Kiram.
I’m like you, I also had big dream for Mindanao. I hope peace and unity will come our way soon.
Cheers and Mabuhay Mindanaoan!
Feyma;
As a Catholic growing up in an Irish Catholic area of Boston in the 50’s and 60’s. I remember that all women entered the church with their head covered and all men uncovered. I believe they don’t do it anymore..
Hi Paul – Since you mentioned it. I remember when going to church with my mom when I was a kid, she’s wearing those small lace cloth thing on top of her head during the mass. Never seen it now here. Those are the days I guess.
Thank you for reminding me. It brought back childhood memories for me.
Have a great day Paul!
Hi Abdul – Woman are more intelligent than men in so many ways. Globally where woman are permitted to gain education, they excel greater than men. Naturally if you oppress woman from getting educated or just oppress them, then they will not flourish. I am a man, and I admit woman are by IQ and EQ are ahead of us men. I have read multiple studies on the matter. If education of equal portion isn’t afforded to woman as men, then men will do better.
Hello Feyma
I am an Aussie and hope to come to Mindanao in future
in fairness you guys are courageous to come inside that place
an Australian was kidnapped for a year now he has been freed.
thanks for a good story about the town and compassion towards them. You mention Bob came to see their drums and gongs.
I wish i can ask his thoughts on them
such an interesting folk music tradition in Mindanao
i am a guitarist and music fan
I saw on TV documentary of similar gongs makers in Vietnam.