3 – 5 February 2026 | 4th Floor Event Center | SM CDO DOWNTOWN
The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, through the Provincial Tourism, Culture, and the Arts Office (PTCAO), will be staging the second edition of its OKIR Art Exhibit on 3-5 February 2026 at the Event Hall of SM CDO Downtown, Cagayan de Oro City.
According to the official invitation from the office of Lanao del Sur Provincial Governor DR. MAMINTAL ALONTO ADIONG, JR., the Okir Art Exhibit reflects the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur’s commitment to cultural preservation, artistic expression, and community resilience. This exhibit provides a unique opportunity to showcase and celebrate the rich heritage of the Meranaw people through the intricate and culturally significant Okir art form.
By supporting this initiative, the program seeks to promote cultural diversity, strengthen community connections, and provide a platform for local artists to express their creativity in the mainstream market.
The three day event will feature the following events and activities: Art Exhibition, Cultural Performances, Artists/Artisans’ Demonstrations, Lectures, Partnership Building / Networking and a press conference.
Among the A-List Exhibitors from Lanao del Sur to be featured are Edris Tamano, an Okir artist and cultural advocate whose works highlights the significance and intricacies of Meranaw Okir design; Omelcair G. Domangcag, a traditional Lakub (a Meranaw traditional cylindrical bamboo container primarily used to store tobacco leaves or betel quid (nganga) master maker and member of the Bakayawan Lakub Producers; Danny Arumpac, master miniature wood carver of Meranaw forms such as torogans, panolong (house beams), boor, gador and debakan; and Walad Serad Solaiman, a freelance visual artist whose works are informed by Meranaw culture and incorporate Okir inspired elements, reflecting themes of identity, tradition, and community.
Other featured master artisans include the following:
Hanifah Lalia Amelo, a weaver and member of the Raheemah Peace Weavers Cooperative, masterfully skilled in weaving langkit with traditional okir patterns that is fast gaining popularity with modern ethnic fashion designs. Langkit is a traditional Meranaw, intricately handwoven/embroidered multi-colored fabric strip, primarily used to adorn and connect panels on the malong landap (tube skirt), it features traditional okir (geometric/floral) designs, created using a backstrap loom, representing deep cultural significance.
Master Artisan Lantong Pangcoga from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur masterfully skilled in the carving of traditional Meranaw Okir art forms such as the Baur, Gador, Okir, and Panulong. He has been nominated for the prestigious Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) or National Living Treasures Award, the highest state honor given to a Filipino in recognition of their outstanding work as a traditional folk artist.
Pendocina Omar, a Meranaw traditional beader masterfully skilled in hand-sewing beads and sequins such as Mamandiyang, Ampas, and Payong o Diyakatan. She is also a member of the Raheemah Peace Weavers Cooperative.
Asnaida Amelo, also a Meranaw traditional weaver and member of the Raheemah Peace Weavers Cooperative who specializes in Landap Weaving, a prestigious type of malong tradionally worn by Sultans and the elite.
The Okir Art Exhibit presents itself as a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Lanao del Sur, featuring the intricate and traditional Okir art form; empower local artists by providing them with a prominent venue to display their Okir artworks, foster a sense of pride and recognition within the community; facilitate community engagement through the Okir Art Exhibit, encourage dialogue, appreciation, and understanding of the cultural significance of Okir art among residents and visitors; promote Lanao del Sur as a cultural tourism destination by leveraging the Okir Art Exhibit to attract visitors and raise awareness of the unique artistic traditions embedded in Okir; and not the least, contribute to the holistic growth of Lanao del Sur by integrating cultural expressions like the Okir Art Exhibit, fostering resilience, unity, and a renewed sense of identity among the Meranaw community.
The Okir Art Exhibit is designed as a strategic cultural and economic initiative to showcase the profound artistic heritage of the Lanao del Sur province. Beyond its cultural significance, the exhibit serves as a vital component of the post-conflict recovery efforts for Marawi City, providing a platform for local artisans to access broader markets. By positioning Okir as a premier cultural product, we aim to align traditional craftsmanship with modern trade, tourism, and MSME development goals. The event is open free to the public during SM CDO Downtown’s Mall Hours from 10AM to 8PM for the duration of the 3-day exhibit.
Lantong Pangcoga is widely recognized in the field of art for his exceptional skill in the creation and design of traditional artifacts in Tugaya, Lanao del Sur. His craftsmanship is deeply rooted in the innate knowledge and artistic traditions passed down by the ancestral master artisans of Tugaya, reflecting a long-standing lineage of Meranaw artistry. Through this inherited expertise, he continues to uphold and embody the community’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.
I, together with many researchers who have gathered substantial data and insights from him, expresses our profound gratitude for his invaluable contributions. His willingness to share accurate and culturally grounded information has been essential to the study of language associated with local artifacts. As a result of his mastery and dedication, Lantong’s works have gained both local and national recognition from distinguished professionals and researchers affiliated with prestigious universities in the Philippines.
In this light, we extend our sincere gratitude to our local artisans and reaffirm our continued support for them as they preserve, develop, and enrich our artistic and cultural heritage for future generations.