Pakaradyaan, a special women’s month celebration of the UP TricCollege, celebrates the rich Meranaw heritage through various activities showcasing traditional arts, crafts, and practices. This year’s theme, “Women weaving Meranaw Culture,” highlights the essential role of women in preserving and promoting the Meranaw cultural identity.
The event’s opening day on March 28, 2023, was graced and opened with the welcome remarks of the UP System President Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez and MSU System President Atty. Basari D. Mapupuno. A special opening remarks was delivered by the OIC Chancellor of UP Diliman, Dr. Ma. Theresa T. Payongayong,.
The keynote speeches were delivered by the Philippine Women Commission Undersecretary Sandra Sanchez-Montano, DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, and Quezon City Mayor Hon. Maria Josefina Belmonte, emphasizing the importance of empowering women in safeguarding the country’s cultural heritage especially the Meranaw Culture. The Opening of the exhibit was done with the opening remarks of Dr. Amerkhan G. Cabaro, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of MSU-Marawi, and Commissioner Amielyn Asliyah Limbona of PCWC.
The festival featured an exhibit of woven textiles and other crafts made by Meranaw women. The event does not only showcase the beauty of Meranaw culture but also provide opportunities for the neighboring communities to witness the Meranaw history, culture and language through a conference where representing scholars from MSU will be speaking on the second day of the event at Palma Hall, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.
The Meranaw exhibit of crafts and textiles will be running up to the 1st of April 2023. Spectators are expected to witness this celebration of the Meranaw Culture and its People with the kind consideration of the resiliency of the Meranaw people after the Marawi Siege.