Childhood is only experienced once, and every child is expected to enjoy it. But life is harsh, given the circumstances of a poor country where indigenous peoples suffer not only from poverty but also from discrimination and oppression making them lose out in the very few opportunities available for a better life. This is a story of four Badjao children whose only desire is to survive another day and dreams of earning enough to be able to study and marry to be able to escape poverty.
BY HANNAH FAITH S. DORMIDO AND JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 14, May 11-17, 2008
Childhood is only experienced once, and every child is expected to enjoy it. But life is harsh, given the circumstances of a poor, backward country where indigenous peoples suffer not only from poverty but also from discrimination and oppression making them lose out in the very few opportunities available for a better life Because poverty is an everyday reality for indigenous peoples (IP), some IP children spend their childhood roaming the streets and begging for food. Over the years, a growing population of Badjaos has started to fill the streets of Balayan, Batangas hoping to escape the war and poverty in Mindanao, in search of a secure place to live in.
Badjaos are popularly known as the “Sea Gypsies” of the Sulu and Celebes seas. The name Badjao is a Malay-Bornean word that means "man of the seas." Living in house on stilts in Mindanao and in other parts of the country, the Badjaos are among the poorest peoples in the country.
In the heart of the municipality, the terminal of vans to and from Manila, has served as the “playground” for four Badjao girls. All four girls wore skirts that touched their ankles, slippers that were too big, and their hair were burnt brown and red, manifestations of living by the sea.
They try to get the attention of passersby by tugging on their clothes or blocking their way, and then ask for any amount the person may offer. The usual reactions of the common people were either to ignore them, or give them sharp looks. Some good-hearted individuals would bother to search their pockets for coins and hand them over to the girls. Every peso given to them painted a smile on the girls’ faces, but every sharp look and indifference made them walk away with heavy hearts.
Rosalinda is the tallest among the four girls and probably the oldest. She does not know how old she is nor the date of her birth. In crooked Tagalog, she told Bulatlat that she is responsible for equally dividing among the four of them the amount they collected for the day. They normally bring home around P20 to P50 ($0.47 to $1.17 at an exchange rate of $1=P42.48) a day. The biggest amount she has ever had was P100 ($2.35) but it only sufficed for buying their food.
Other than begging for money from church goers and terminal passengers, Rosalinda said market vendors sometimes give them food. “Kung meron salamat, kung wala, salamat rin,” (If they give us something, we say thanks. If they don’t, we still thank them.) she added.
Rosalinda could not identify the exact place where she came from or where she grew up. She didn’t also know her family name. When asked where her parents were, she sadly told Bulatlat that she didn’t know their location, nor was she interested to find them. She didn’t want to elaborate on where she lives, how and when they arrived in Balayan, and who her companion is.
She shared that she wants to study but “Hindi ako marunong dahil Badjao ako. Pero kapag malaki na ako, gusto ko.” (I don’t know how because I’m a Badjao but when I grow up, I would like to study.)
Salma, around 9-11 years old, was more eager in answering questions than Rosalinda. She said she lived with her mother near the shoreline while her older brother and sister are already in Manila. She claims that her father was gunned down by the Abu Sayaff while fishing in the seas of Basilan. After her father’s death, her mother decided that they find another place to live in.
Her mother does laundry for other people in order to earn a living. Because the money her mother gets paid for doing laundry is not enough to sustain them, she is obliged to roam the streets and ask for money. “Mahirap. Nakakapagod pero magagalit si Nanay (kapag hindi nanlimos.)” (It’s hard and tiring but I have to do it or my mother will get mad,) she sadly told Bulatlat.
Like Rosalinda, she could not tell her age nor her date of birth. Salma shared that she used to attend classes in Basilan but since they took refuge in Balayan, she never went back to school. Actually, she no longer dreams of attending classes again. “Ayaw na rin ni nanay (na mag-aral ako),” (Mother doesn’t also want me to go to school.) she said flatly. Her only dream is to marry and to never again roam the streets asking strangers for alms.
Rosamia, one of the shortest among the four girls, had a hard time conversing in Tagalog. Salma had to translate the questions in their native language so Rosamia could understand. Like the other two girls, her age, date of birth and family name were unknown to her. She lives with her grandmother while her parents worked in a place she couldn’t specify. Salma said Rosamia cries everyday and complains that she doesn’t want to beg anymore. But because her grandmother couldn’t sustain them both, she still has to ask for money from strangers to be able to bring home food on the table.
Rosamia didn’t want to study as well. “Hindi ako marunong.” (I don’t know how) was all she told Bulatlat when asked if she’s interested to study. There was a sense of inferiority in the manner she answered, and the way she reacted.
Marica, the smallest among the four girls, is around 4-6 years old. When asked, all she gave was a smile, nod or a blank face. When Bulatlat asked if she’s interested to look for her parents, she immediately turned to Rosalinda and shrugged. She just sat beside the other girls during the interview, speaking in their native language for sometime, but too shy to answer the questions or share her thoughts.
Mayor Manny Fronda said the Badjao population in Balayan has increased through the years. Now, there are around 200 families living in the shores of the municipality. “Galing sila sa Mindanao and according to them, magulo sa kanilang bayan kaya sila umalis doon. Naghanap sila ng tahimik na bayan upang sila ay mamuhay ng tahimk,” (According to them, they came from Mindanao. They said they decided to find a more peaceful place to live in because of the on going armed conflict in Mindanao.) said Mayor Fronda.
The local government talked to the parents that in exchange for being allowed to live in the municipality, their children should not roam the streets and beg. Police officers would usually warn the children whenever they are seen begging. Mayor Fronda said the local government has plans of providing the Badjao community a permanent and better residential area. Unfortunately, there are no government-owned lands available for their resettlement.
Despite the fact that some children from the Badjao community ask for alms, Mayor Fronda said, “Ang nakakatuwa sa kanila, hindi sila nagpupunta sa munisipyo para humingi ng pambili ng bigas at gamot. Masipag sila. Naghahanapbuhay sila. Yung hindi nakakapag dagat, nagtitinda ng mga perlas.” (They’ don’t go to the municipal hall to ask for money to buy rice or medicine. They are industrious; they try to earn a living. Those who can’t go out to fish sells pearls.)
Childhood for Rosalinda, Salma, Rosamia and Marica means asking for money and bringing home food. They may be considered victims of unequal development in the country: development benefiting a few and showcased by infrastructures but does not uplift the quality of life of majority of the people, including the indigenous peoples who live along the fringes of society. These children, like any other children should be enjoying their childhood; they must be in schools where they are taught not only to read and write, but also to dream beyond getting enough alms or marrying as the only way out of poverty. Bulatlat
