In Marang-Marang, a quiet coastal barangay in Isabela de Basilan, women who once spent their days cooking for families and tending to household chores now welcome visitors with seafood feasts, guide them on kayak tours through mangrove lagoons, and weave mats that carry the patterns of their culture.
Thirty-seven-year-old Mayra Abbas was once a full-time homemaker whose days revolved around raising her three children and managing household chores. She had never led an organization, handled a business, or imagined herself as an entrepreneur.
That changed in 2019, when the city government encouraged Marang-Marang to organize for tourism. The women, already used to cooking and hosting, formed an association and chose Abbas as president. What began as simple meals served in floating cottages has since evolved into a sustainable, women-led enterprise that is now recognized nationally.
“We used to think of ourselves only as homemakers. “But when we came together as women, we discovered that what we had – our food, our mangroves, our culture – was enough to build something bigger than ourselves. Now we see that we are also leaders, guides, and entrepreneurs.
In September 2025, the Marang-Marang Women’s Association was named one of the pioneering awardees of the Philippine Tourism Awards 2025 under the institutional category — a milestone that conveyed how far a group of homemakers had come in just a few years.
The feat followed two earlier recognitions – the Global Culinary Travel Award in September 2024 and the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards in January 2025, which placed the women of Marang-Marang on both regional and international stages.
Livelihood tradition
The association’s strength lies in its deep connection to the Sama-Bangingui, the indigenous ethnolinguistic group to which Abbas and most of the members belong. Known as people of both land and sea, the Sama-Bangingui have long depended on the mangroves for food and survival.
“Our pride is the mangroves,” Abbas said. “That’s where we get what we serve.”
From clams locally called imbaw to shrimps and crabs harvested at dawn, the dishes the women prepare are derived from the rhythm of their coastal environment. Visitors experience not just a meal, but a way of life.
Hospitality to enterprise
The group’s early efforts were modest – a single floating cottage where meals were served to small groups of guests. Over time, however, the women learned to think beyond hospitality.
With support from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), they attended trainings in product development, branding, and even water safety.
A grant worth P1.9 million in 2023 allowed them to purchase fiberglass kayaks, kitchen equipment, and a transport boat. With these resources, the association formalized its services: seafood dining packages, kayak tours through the mangroves, and cultural demonstrations. Elder members also revived traditional weaving, producing pandan mats and other handicrafts.
What sets the enterprise apart is that women manage every aspect of the operation. They cook, guide, row, and even handle bookings.
“Here, we are all women,” Abbas says with quiet pride. “We don’t just serve food. We manage everything ourselves.”
Social core
The impact on the community has been immediate. For families that once relied on irregular fishing incomes, the association provides a steady livelihood. Children who used to watch their mothers labor quietly at home now see them as leaders, guides, and entrepreneurs.
“Before, we only sold our catch to the market. Now, tourists come directly to us. Our children see that what we have – our culture, our mangroves – has value,” she said.
Membership has also broadened to include solo parents, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens, making the group as much a social support network as it is a business venture.
Moving forward
While recognition has come early, Abbas knows the work is only beginning. The women are now exploring ways to diversify their income, including a souvenir shop and new products that can reach markets beyond Basilan. Weaving and food processing are among the avenues being planned.
“We’re still dreaming,” Abbas admitted. “But the most important thing is that we stay together. Whatever happens, we want to grow as a community.”
From a handful of women serving home-cooked meals to a nationally awarded model of community tourism, the Marang-Marang Women’s Association carries a larger truth – when women lead, they don’t just build businesses — they transform communities.
