Tindig Marawi : Mindanao Peace Advocate Robin Padilla Launches "Kabahayan, Kabuhayan for Marawi"

Robin Padilla well known film director, screenwriter, producer, actor and MINDANAO Peace Advocate launched, Tindig Marawi, yesterday, October 26, 2017 held at Ilustrado, Intramuros, Manila. 

Tindig Marawi, Padilla's  personal advocacy to help rebuild the war-torn city and provide support for its people in terms of shelter and livelihood opportunities.

Marawi City, officially known as the Islamic City of Marawi, is the capital and the only city in the province of Lanao del Sur on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. The people of Marawi are called the Maranaos and speak the Maranao language. They are named after Lake Lanao, which is called Meranauin the language, upon whose shores Marawi lies. The city is also called the "Summer Capital of the South" because of its higher elevation and cooler climate.

All hopes and effort for the full-blown rehabilitation, reconstruction and rebuilding to get back into normalcy of the city after the five-month battle against Islamic State-inspired terrorists.

“Ang Mindanao at kapayapaan ay dalawang bagay na malapit sa aking puso,” Padilla shares, explaining why the Marawi Siege that lasted for five months has impacted him in a big way. 

Unknown to many, Padilla has already started helping the people of Marawi since the war started last May by reaching out to friends, relatives, and private companies to gather relief goods for those displaced by the war. Padilla also recently donated Php5 million for the psycho-social intervention of the kids of Marawi and personally distributed Php5 million worth of relief goods to affected families.

Despite these efforts, Padilla admits that the people of Marawi need so much more help.

An advocate and dedicated Filipino, Padilla created the “Tindig, Marawi” movement to create heightened awareness on the critical needs of the people of Marawi despite the recent government’s declaration on the end of the Marawi siege. 

Padilla said that the worst thing that could happen is for the public to forget that the people of Marawi still needs everyone’s help, especially at this time of rebuilding.

“Ang Tindig Marawi po ay isang kilusan, hindi poi to pansariling pagkilos ko lamang. Inaanyayahan ko po ang lahat na tumulong para sa pagbangon at pagtindig na muli ng Marawi. Natapos man po ang digmaan, napakalaki pa rin po ng kanilangang pangangailangan. Bahay, hanapbuhay, pagkain, ospital, paaralan—napakarami pong nawasak sa Marawi at malawakang pagtulong po ang kailangan para makatindig silang muli,” Padilla said during in a press conference yesterday.

Damaged buildings and houses. (Reuters/Romeo Ranoco)

Padilla said that he hopes to use “Tindig, Marawi” as a springboard to generate more support from private individuals, corporations and organizations to support and help in the rebuilding of Marawi.

During at the yesterday’s press conference, Bhavna Suresh, managing director and Chief Executive Officer of the global property portal Lamudi, signed a memorandum of understanding to officially partner with the Tindig Marawi program, particularly in the establishment of a portal that will help serve as a fund-raising platform for the rebuilding of shelters in Marawi.

Lito Villanueva, managing director of the financial technology company FINTQ, is also collaborating with Tindig Marawi through the “Pabuhay” component where they commit to assist the Marawi victims regain their livelihood and facilitate organic farming and micro business training through their program, KasamaKa. 

They will also kickstart the Tindig Marawi Livelihood Fund, hoping to raise a minimum of P10 million which will be used to provide seed money to the people of Marawi so they could start and rebuild their businesses.

Dr. Potre Diampuan 

Also present during the press conference was Interfaith peace advocate Dr. Potre Diampuan who shared with the media the three things that the Maranaos need at this time – Shelter, Subsistence and Sustainability. 

Padilla appealed for media, government and non-government, and all to support this cause - Tinding Marawi.

“Umaasa ako na sana’y itong proyekto nating Tindig Marawi ay maka-antig sa puso ng ating mga kababayan na tumulong sa mga kapatid nating naapektuhan sa katatapos lang na labanan sa Marawi,” Padilla said.

Padilla mentioned some of his colleagues in the industry, such as actor Piolo Pascual and director Joyce Bernal, have already donated to the Tindig Marawi fund and Padilla hopes that more people will follow suit.