IN MAY 2017, Marawi City descended into turmoil. Clashes broke out between government troops and militants, transforming the once-vibrant Islamic city into a landscape marked by devastation and fear.

For five long months, Marawi stood as ground zero—a place where gunfire, explosions, and shattered hopes dominated daily life. The conflict displaced hundreds of thousands, razed homes, and left the heart of the city in ruins.

Even after the fighting ceased, the impact of the siege continued to haunt its people—especially the children who, beyond losing their homes, also lost access to education, stability, and the vision of a promising future.

Eight years later, the Marawi Siege remains etched in national memory as a painful and defining episode. Yet amid the loss, a new story is unfolding—one filled with optimism, renewal, and forward-looking change.

This time, the effort is driven not by soldiers but by educators, media partners, technology champions, and public servants—working together under a single banner: Pay It Forward: A Digital Transformation Advocacy.

A Glimpse of the Present

In the aftermath of the siege, Marawi’s education sector faced overwhelming setbacks. Classrooms were destroyed, thousands of learners were uprooted, and many saw their schooling halted for an indefinite period.

For a city determined to move beyond its past, bringing education back is not a minor detail—it is a vital foundation for healing and rebuilding both individual lives and the broader community.

During the Pay It Forward team’s visit to Marawi on Friday, July 11, republicasia had a brief yet touching encounter with Abdulhakim Caris, a Grade 12 student at Marawi City National High School, who vividly recalls how the siege disrupted their education.

“Noong nangyari ang Marawi Siege, I was 11 years old. It really affected my studies po kasi nag-evacuate kami nung time na ‘yon. Palipat-lipat kami ng place na pinupuntahan, para safe ‘yung living namin,” Caris said.

“Naapektuhan ‘yung studies, kasi nga transfer kami nang transfer, until hindi na ma-arrange ‘yung pag-aaral namin po,” the 19-year-old student went on to recall .

Despite the setbacks brought by the 2017 siege, Caris remains determined to finish his studies. The motivation comes from a deep desire to give back to his grandmother, who has stood by him and supported his schooling.

“Since pinalaki ako ng lola ko, pinangako ko sa sarili ko na magtatapos at magtatapos ako kahit anong mangyari. Kahit mahuli man ako sa pag-aaral, ikakayod ko pa rin ang pag-aaral ko,” he said.

“Kasi ‘yung sakripisyo na ginawa ng lola ko, gusto kong masuklian ‘yun ng pagiging successful ko po sa pag-aaral,” he went on to explain.

Walking Side By Side

Restoring a community torn apart by war takes more than just reconstructing buildings—it calls for the renewal of opportunities, particularly for the younger generation. This is why Pay It Forward stepped in to help bridge the digital gap in Marawi.

Pay It Forward is a collaborative effort led by RepublicAsia Media, in coordination with iACADEMY, GMA Network, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Education.

As a meaningful act of solidarity, 150 tablets were distributed to Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak Elementary School, situated near the epicenter of the siege. For many of the city’s students, this was more than a gift—it was a lifeline.

“Wala kaming gadget, walang cellphone, walang tablet. TV lang ang nasa classroom,” Khawla Abduljabbar said in a separate interview. “Makakatulong samin ‘yung tablet kasi makakagawa kami ng video presentation at makapag-research kami online.”

The tablets provided through Pay It Forward come equipped with learning materials, interactive features, and connectivity to online classes. But beyond their function, they carry a powerful message: you are not forgotten, and you matter.

“Maraming salamat po sa binigay niyong tablet sa amin. Maari po itong makatulong sa amin at saka ito po ‘yung pinakamagandang nangyari sa buhay namin,” the 13-year-old Norhamida Khalid said.

Even from the rubble of war, a signal of hope now beams—one powered by compassion, collaboration, and the belief that every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves a future.

As Marawi continues to move forward in its recovery, initiatives like Pay It Forward remind us that healing isn’t just about what we restore—it’s also about what we reimagine. 

By focusing on enhancing the digital skills of the city’s youth, we are doing more than just restoring a city—we are planting the seeds of empowerment right at the very heart of ground zero.



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