MARANAO DELICACIES just like any other popular snacks in the country are just as tasty as it is, but they are not widely available outside the Maranao community. Many of these sweet treats are probably unheard of by many Filipinos.
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| Mindaya Ali shows her product - Ina's Mamis. |
Collectively, these sweet goodies are called “Mamis” – the ingredients are rice flour, coconut, and cassavas and are a crucial part of the Maranao food culture.
And this inspired Mindaya Lacsaman Ali, of Lilod Madaya village in Marawi City and currently residing in the Bakwit Village Phase 2 in Lanao del Sur’s Saguiaran town, to start her own small business – ‘ Ina’s Mamis.”
Mindaya, a mother of seven, is the woman behind Ina’s Mamis - a food enterprise in Marawi City serving different variants of sweet treats. “Bago po mag-siege, nandiyan na po ang Ina’s Mamis. Ang main product namin yung apa. Ang ibig sabihin ng apa sa Christian areas are sweet wafers kaya at that time konti lang at hindi gaya ngayon na at least nag-improve,’’ she says.
Ina’s Mamis was established because of Mindaya’s endeavor in making a mark of giving importance to the Maranao culture by introducing the Mamis to the public. “Ito pong Ina’s Mamis ay Maranao delicacies - sweet delicacies at ang main purpose po namin dito ay para hindi makalimutan ang mga Maranao delicacies dahil ngayon karamihan na may mga chocolate cakes, all kinds of cakes na naiiwan na sa isip ng tao imbes na Maranao delicacies,’’ she explains.
Aside from Mamis, Mindaya also sells Broa and Lukatis. Broa is a sponge biscuit - a spongy but compact bite-sized cake and best served with coffee and tea. And Lukatis, on the other hand, is a combination of donut and pretzel.
The five-month-long Marawi siege in 2017 stopped all Ina’s Mamis operation. Along with the other residents of Lilod Madaya, they were relocated to a temporary shelter for their own safety and security.
After the deadly siege, Mindaya, who managed to save a meager capital, pursued her business. And in support to Mindaya’s business, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in 2019 provided her family a livelihood settlement grant worth P20,000.00 and another P53,000 for the Transitory Family Support Package.
“Sa amount na P20,000 nakabili ako ng two or three machines para sa paggawa ng apa, so nagsimula na akong nag-accept ng mga orders from different outlets,’’ she says.
Now, Ina’s Mamis has been supplying three bakeshops, several grocery stores, including the Home Pasalubong in Iligan City and Quiapo in Manila, and in Greenhills Shopping Arcade in San Juan City.
“Kumikita po kami ng estimate sa isang araw ng P3,000, less pa yung capital so nakaka-net kami dyan ng P1, 000 in three to five days,” Mindaya says.
“Nag-iipon po kami. Yung family nag-iipon ng pambili ng machinery, gusto namin mapalawak para maging factory. Unti-unti nakakabili din kami ng mga machines na gaya nung apa maker. Pakaunti-konti lang every month or every 2 months nakakabili kami ng isa ganun,” she adds.
This year, Mindaya says she received an additional P14,400 cash assistance from DSWD and was thankful for the financial support. “Maraming salamat po sa DSWD at Task Force Bangon Marawi, nabago niyo yung buhay namin. Nabibigyan ninyo ng financial assistance yung gaya namin. Pasasalamat din kami dahil malaki rin ang naitulong niya para makaipon kami at nag iipon po kami ng pambili ng machineries,” she says.
And to help her fellow refugees, Mindaya says she shares her knowledge in delicacy making so they can start their own livelihood. “Sana hindi niyo malimutan ang mga tinuturo ko sa inyo mga kakanin ng mga Muslim sana ipagpatuloy niyo pa yun,” she tells her fellow Maranao. (PIA. With additional reporting by Rhoderick Benez)
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