This immersion tour in Quiapo will let you experience the Filipino Muslim culture

A lot of non-Muslim Filipinos are aware of the rich Muslim town situated in the heart of Quiapo, but only a few have traversed through it with no fear or hesitations.

That is what the Quiapo Muslim Town Immersion Tour hopes to change.

"Gusto ko talaga matanggal 'yung takot kasi a lot of people will say na if it's a Muslim community, 'ay wag ka pumasok diyan, magulo,'" Ann Marie Cunanan, the founder of the tour, said. "Pagkatapos noon to have courage to go beyond the fear and see na ang payapa pala culture ng Muslim."

The tour lets visitors deeply immense themselves in the Muslim culture — from wearing the clothes and tasting of food to learning about the religion and their history in the Philippines.

Women in the tour were encouraged to wear the Islamic dress, the hijab, around their heads which according to Amanah Lao, the Muslim community partnership manager, has evolved to show the world not only of your religion but also of your chosen identity as well.

The tour also entails visiting the Manila Golden Mosque, both a church and a cultural center, to see the Islamic architecture of the church and also know more on the Filipino Muslim's history within the country.

It ends with a grand feast of Maranao cuisine where the visitors will be sitting on the floor with vibrant decorations surrounding them representing the Maranao culture.

According to Noro Maguindanao, the tour facilitator, it is important for Filipinos to know more about the Muslim culture. He said, "Marami pang kasaysayan about Muslim na hindi pa nasasabi na kailangan pang salisikin dahil 'yung kaalaman mo ay hindi kakulangan bagkus makakadagdag pa sayo bilang isang Pilipino." — LA, GMA News