Maru Aihara poses with her paintings during her first-ever solo art exhibit at Arts Underground Manila, San Juan City, Metro Manila, in 2023.
Globally, rich culture isn’t solely determined by distinctive languages, notable facial features, vibrant textiles, or cherished customs and traditions. Sometimes, it’s conveyed through timeless and phenomenal arts.
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), six artists received the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA), also known as the National Living Treasures Award, from the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA).
The NCCA is the overall policymaking body, coordinating, and grant-giving agency for preserving, developing, and promoting Philippine arts and culture.
For over 30 years, this entity, also an award-giving body, has recognized outstanding traditional artists who are undoubtedly the genuine pride of the Filipino people.
Among these distinguished artists are Bangsamoro figures: Samaon Sulaiman, a kulintang (gong-chime) and kutyapi (two-stringed plucked lute) instrumentalist from Maguindanao; and Basilan’s Uwang Ahadas, playing gabbang, a bamboo xylophone-like instrument, agung (gong), a circular percussion instrument, and kwintangan kayu, Yakans’ most important musical instrument.
Joining these gentlemen are empowered Bangsamoro women, namely: Darhata Sawabi, a Tausug weaver of Sulu, especially crafting pis syabit, a cloth tapestry worn as a headscarf; and Haja Amina Appi of Tawi-Tawi, a well-known master mat weaver of the Ungos Matata’s Sama indigenous community.
Also part of these renowned treasures are Ambang Ausalin, known for her fine and unique skills in Yakan weaving conventions, of Basilan; and Tawi-Tawi’s Hadja Sakinur-ain Delasas, referred to as Danda Pandey Ngigal (Igal expert), for mastering the art of “Igal,” a Sama term for “dance.”
This list wouldn’t be iconic without the 2006 National Artist for Visual Arts, Abdulmari Asia Imao, a native of Sulu Province, who is a gifted painter, sculptor, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, and articulator of Philippine Muslim art and culture, among others.
Such a milestone is indeed a source of Bangsamoro pride, making him the first-ever Bangsamoro to receive such recognition.
In today’s generation, we often hear Bangsamoro youngsters excelling in professions like law, medicine, accounting, engineering, teaching, among others. Rarely do we hear stories about those choosing arts as their career paths.
Daring to defy conventions, Marwah Arsad, 26, famously known as “Maru Aihara” on social media, is a Bangsamoro graphic artist and an Information Technology (IT) graduate who possesses a profound passion for painting and art in general.
Journey to Fearlessness: The History
Growing up, she was influenced by her father’s love for art. Since then, she never stopped exploring different art media such as acrylic, ink, oil, and pencils.
Maru had enough exposure to various art styles, which led her to realize that watercolor painting stood out among her preferences.
“I really enjoyed it; it’s very calming and therapeutic to me, which I eventually used, starting in 2018,” stated Maru.
Last year, statistics showed that watercolor paints garnered the largest art materials market share.
To engage a wider audience, she took the risk of getting herself involved in art exhibits.
However, this journey was not easy. She was warned by some of her co-artists not to join because she lacked resources, including a portfolio, money, and connections.
Despite the uncertainty of what awaits ahead her, Maru entered the door of the unknown, facing her fears and unlocking her full potential as a Bangsamoro artist.
“Even though I was told that there’s a great possibility that I get rejected, I still took the risk,” she fearlessly stated.
Against all odds, she managed to be one of the participating artists who showcased their artworks to thousands of people, justifying that Bangsamoro talents will ultimately shine resplendently above all.
From Galerie Raphael Davao, a local art gallery that features stunning masterpieces in Davao City, the Painter debuted her art pieces at the Art Underground Manila in San Juan City, Metro Manila, where she had her first-ever solo show.
Established in 2014, Art Underground Manila is a modern-day platform that provides opportunities for Filipino artists to exhibit their world-class works not only in the Philippines but also in other countries.
This served as an avenue for her unique style to be introduced to art-inclined individuals and, doubtlessly, soon-to-be customers.
Maru shares photos of some of her eye-pleasing, and magnificently and dominantly red-colored masterpieces on her Instagram account.
Making It to International Spotlight
Maru met a Mexican-American artist online who encouraged her to make earnings out of her hard-earned skill and one-of-a-kind artistry.
Though she was devoured by skepticism at first, Maru later decided to go out of her comfort zone and started selling her artwork a few years ago.
The price range for her paintings is from ₱4,000 to ₱12,500 depending on the sizes and details of the masterpieces, especially if the clients request additional designs.
She also sells prints, posters, stickers, cards, and phone cases, with her artwork featured on them, starting at around ₱200.
[Visit the shop here: http://surl.li/qxtnz]
According to the Bangsamoro artist, her subjects were mostly inspired by the things she loves dearly, such as cats, birds, fish, dragons, and mystical creatures, among others.
Moreover, she is also known to use “red” as a dominant color in her paintings, believing that having a touch of such a bold color makes her works eye-catching.
Indeed, she has over 21.4 thousand followers on Twitter and around 6.6 thousand followers on Instagram, with @midnightrØse and @midnightrose.studio as her usernames, respectively.
Heartwarming Embrace to What the Heart Screams
Maru confessed that her parents used to discourage her from being a full-time artist, for they believed that it was not a ‘stable’ job.
Nonetheless, she convinced them by saying, “One day, it will pay off well.” And, it eventually happened!
Of all the possible professions Maru may have chosen, she undoubtedly lived in the field of artistry.
“I broke out of the norm. I wanted to go out of the norm and try to pursue things that a normal Bangsamoro would not really consider doing,” she said.
To her fellow Bangsamoro artists, she encouraged them to stay persistent with what they truly love, especially those who hold themselves back from living their dreams.
“Embrace your uniqueness, preserve your creativity, and do not let rejections diminish your morale,” she emphasized.
Likewise, Maru stressed that in whatever line of expertise Bangsamoro people venture, they always stand out because of their unfathomable versatility.
