When you say “province in the Philippines”, the first thing that comes to most Filipinos’ minds is the idea of land-locked province that’s located somewhere in Luzon. Well, it’s automatic because the provinces in Luzon are way more popular than any provinces in the Philippines. But if you will talk about the provinces in Mindanao, Sulu is one of the places that people seldom tackle with.
Sulu is an island that’s located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM. It’s capital is Jolo and it encompasses various islands located in the middle part of the Sulu Archipelago, between Tawi-Tawi and Basilan. In the aspect of geography, the province’s main island which is Jolo, is rated as the 15th largest island in the country (in area).
There are 19 municipalities in this area and these are the:
1.Banguingui (Tongkil)
2.Handji Panglima Tahil
3.Indanan
4.Jolo
5.Kalinga Caluang
6.Lugus
7.Luuk
8.Maimbung
9.Old Panamao
10.Omar
11.Pandami
12.Panglima Estino
13.Pangutaran
14.Parang
15.Pata
16.Patikul
17.Siasi
18.Talipao
19.Tapul
This province has long been in the livelihood of agricultural farming and fishing. People make ends meet by means of planting and selling various crops and fishing. Some of the products coming from Sulu are: lanzones, coconuts, abaca, and oranges. There are also rare fruits that are being shipped from Sulu like the Durian and Mangosteen. Sulu is also considered as one of the best fishing grounds in the Philippines. When you talk about amazing products coming from this island, you will be amazed to discover that there is also an extensive pearl industry in the Marungas Island.
Aside from the mentioned livelihood, other sources of income also include fruit preservation, coffee processing and handicraft-making. It might be illegal for some organizations but the backs of sea turtles caught in this island are made into trays and combs. People here are also fond of making unique creations like bladed weapons., brassware, traditional house carvings, pis cloth and carved wooden grave markers.
The people of Sulu have a mixed community – the Muslims and Christians. Because Christianity was not really embraced in this place, even the political structure of the province is different from the other provinces’ system in politics. Sultan is the highest rank in leadership and succession is done by election – only by the staff involved. When it comes to race, the Tausug people dominate the island predominantly. These are the people who took initiative in accepting Islam as their official religion. They are also called “people of the current” which associates with the people’s close ties with the sea.
If you will analyze everything, Sulu has a lot of beautiful beaches that are not ruined by commercialization. Well, terrorism will surely discourage the tourists to visit this place. Because there had been political and local issues in this province, a few to no tourists visit don’t bother to visit the island. You may have more details about Sulu and its system by visiting the province’s main website.