The Bangon MaraWe Story

The Story of Bangon MaraWe

The Backdrop

The battle for Marawi City started on 27 May 2017. A group of former bandits attacked and overran the Islamic city in Mindanao. This sad chapter of our history resulted in the loss of hundreds of Filipino lives. It also forced thousands of residents to flee their homes, and find refuge in neighbouring towns and cities. Some families even made their way to Metro Manila. The conflict did not spare anyone from pain and anguish. Men, women, children, the sick, and the elderly from different social backgrounds and faiths; all Filipinos.

Government and non-governmental organizations struggled to deliver goods and services to those directly affected because of security and other restrictions. The most vulnerable ones suffered; some even perished in the evacuation centres. Relief efforts from the private sector and the population in general, have been sporadic. The response was lukewarm because of political and legal controversies in the backdrop that clouded the attention of the nation. Both the President and Vice-President of the Republic have called for national unity in the face of the tragedy. It was from this backdrop the concept of Bangon MaraWe was born. The opportunity was ripe to bring the entire nation together.

The Productive Break

By the third week of the siege, the City of Marawi was reduced to ruble and smoldering ashes. Thousands of civilians remain trapped between the terrorists' sniper rifles, and the Howitzers and the constant aerial bombings. It was at this point when Jamar Lucman contemplated on going home to help his family defend their property from the bandits. A few days prior to that, his uncle led civilians to safety out of the battle-zone, and to the evacuation sites.

As Jamar shared his sentiments to his co-workers at a Manila call centre, he was persuaded to stay on and just concentrate his energy on the relief effort. It was suggested that a benefit concert to raise funds and awareness for the relief and rehabilitation of Marawi can be organized in the capital. And this was the eureka moment for the individuals that make up the core of Bangon MaraWe. And who ever said cigarette breaks don't accomplish anything relevant?

And The Saga Continues...

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