Badjao kids and teenagers on jeeps and buses... what's your take on them?
By allen0187
@allen0187 (58444)
Philippines
November 1, 2009 7:07pm CST
if you commute daily to and form work, i'm sure you had an experience with our badjao brothers and sisters who ride jeeps and buses asking for alms. for those who are unaware, the badjaos are popularly known as the "sea gypsies" of the sulu and celebes seas. they are generally boat dwellers whose religion is ancestor worship mixed with islamic influences.the term "badjao" is a malay-borneo word which connotes "man of the seas" or orang laut in bahasa malayo.the Badjaos call themselves as sama laus(sea sama). badjaos maybe divided into two groups: the southern badjao and the northern badjao. the southern badjao is located on the islands of Tawi-Tawi, Sibutu and Semporna(Sabah) while the northern badjao is located in Siasi, Jolo, Basilan and Zamboanga.
now, personally, i'm unsure how they got here in manila in the first place. what they usually do is board jeepneys or buses in twos or threes and pass around envelopes with a handwritten notes to passengers saying that they are badjaos and are asking for financial help to buy food. while one of them is doing this, the other will sing and play music with a drum made of discarder aluminun cans and canisters while the third does a tribal dance. at first, i use to give my change to but have realized that that is not the proper way to help them. i once heard a story from a fellow passenger that in the 70's, the badjaos were already doing this practice in manila only and then mayor lopez, rounded up these badjaos, feed them, gave them shelter, and provide relief assistance to them and send them of to mindanao again. now, as i write this, i'm not even sure if those that ride jeepenys and buses and do this 'ancestral' song and dance number really even belong to the badjao tribe but i can them as i see them. i just think that giving alms is nto the right way to help these people out. i just hope that there will be a proper government agency or private organization that will help them out. so, what's your take on them and to your mind, what is the proper way to help them out?
cheers!!!
5 people like this
16 responses
@solared (1207)
• United States
2 Nov 09
Seems to me it's possible those people are not the same you speak of and could very well be con artists.
Here in the states we have beggars and lots of them are fake, I used to see this one guy drive up in a BMW park it at mcdonalds, go change into homeless clothes in the bathroom, then go out on the street and beg for 8 hours a day up and down the street.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
3 Nov 09
hi solared.
yeah, read something similar. an american actually passes himself as a blind vietnam veteran and asked for donations from passers-by. not so sure when or where this exactly happened in the states but it was a big news in the net at the time it came out.
the guy that you mentioned is a con artist. pure and simple. we have similar cases here in manila as well. just last night while i was aboard a bus on my way home, a guys rides it and goes upfront and tells that he is from one of the southern provinces here in our country and is collecting alms to buy ferry tickets to get home to his wife and kids. the guy said he has travelled to manila to apply for work but was given the run around by his employers and ended up not having work at all and living in the streets. the guy further said that he already approached a number of government and local agencies and was constantly turned down with his request for financial assistance. funny thing is what gave the guy away that he was a con artist and he was giving us nothing but lies was that one of the passengers recognized him and it seems that he gave a different account of his misfortune. the passenger called out the con artist and the con artist just brushed him off and went down the next bus stop as if nothing happened.
talk about trying to put one over everyone else. the nerve of the con artist!!!
@habagamihan (28)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
Thats cool! Maybe he is a fortune 500 company owner who just want to experience how to be a poor! Sounds like Hollywood.
@lodyllesovo (321)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
the government should make a move to remove them in the streets. especially the kids who are also carrying their little brother/sister/child in their backs, and to think that most of these kids are minors. i even see one badjao girl here in cebu who is pregnant. i am just wondering how their elders allow them to roam the road. but in fairness, their music is quite good.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
8 Nov 09
ok that explains it. yeah, it will be nice to at least understnad what they are singing/chanting about. making a short film about them will be a good project for a filmaker such as yourself. keep us posted for any developments about this.
good luck to you if you decide to take on this endeavor.
cheers!!!
@lodyllesovo (321)
• Philippines
8 Nov 09
regarding the music that these kids play, I am not referring it equal to the type of music that we hear on the radio... I'm a filmmaker, and for me, their music can be made into a soundtrack of either a short film about them or a documentary. It will be appealing to film festivals.
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
I have never seen one although I commute daily to work. I feel sorry for them that they are forced to become beggars like this. I am also wondering how they were able to reach our place and how they were able to afford being here because from what I know they came from Mindanao.
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
4 Nov 09
Yeah I guess government should take into this problem because they do not deserve to be on the streets to beg. They belong to the minority groups but they should not go like that and instead the government should help them preserve their way of life because they are fast losing their identity by doing this.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
4 Nov 09
agree that our government must find a way to help not just the badjaos but all those who have to beg to eat. poverty has struck its ugly head one too many times in our everyday lives.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
I live in Angeles City... and there are also a lot of badjaos here... but they do not hand out envelopes or dance... they just beg outright... they live under bridges near the river... and that is just so dangerous... especially when there is a strong typhoon...
I sure hope the local and national government would do something about this... because begging is so not in their culture... i remember the Aetas usually go down form the mountains to the city to beg... but that is only during the Christmas season... and they go back after...
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
4 Nov 09
hi tere! hope you don't mind calling you that name. seems appropriate though. lol!!!
yeha, if you are from angeles city, you have your fair share of seeing aetas begging in the streets. i think they started begging after the pinatubo explosion. i remember i joined a relief operation and during the trip to pampanga, there were a lot of aetas in streets literally stopping our convoy to beg. we had no recourse but to actually stop and start giving away the relief bags that we have. it was such an eye-opening experience. we made multiple trips that whole month.
about the badjaos, i just think that the face the same problems that the aetas face. they are taken advantage of and driven to beg to earn a living and be able to fend for themselves.
thanks for joining.
cheers!!!
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
5 Nov 09
that's good to hear. at least they are working to earn money and not just simply begging. can't balme some of them who still choose to beg. some are so desperate that it seems that is the only way for them to get out of poverty.
@gelay07 (588)
• Philippines
6 Nov 09
these people should be treated equal just like one of us. but, it doesnt happen in our country. we tend to see them as nuisance. the govt should be serious in giving them programs to sustain their livelihood. as they say, you cannot get any help from the govt. if there are those who have more than enough in life, should try to extend help to these people. make them go back to their hometown and teach them livelihood or anything that would help them make self sufficient.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
12 Nov 09
agree with you gelay.
the government should do something about this but sadly all we get from our present government are empty promises and a bunch of lies and excuses. you also raised a valid point about teaching these people a sustainable livelihood that they can do once they are sent back home. like i mentioned in one of my earlier post, it is better to teach someone to fish so that they may eat for a lifetime rather than giving them fish that they may eat for a day.
thanks for joining.
cheers!!!
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
I'm from Cebu and there are also a lot of badjao's here who are also doing the same thing, or sort of the same. They ride jeeps and ask for alms or when the traffic lights goes red they would go to the end of the jeeps and sing or dance and would ask for some money to buy food, some even bring baby's so the passengers will have mercy on them. They even touches you and force you to give money, even with a very dirty hand.. well anyway, i am aware of a law that we should not give anything to these people, i think it's called the anti Mendicancy law. And i think the DSWD's are doing their jobs to get those people out the streets. It's really risky for them to be staying it the streets. And i hope they will really get rid of them so as no brothers of ours will be harmed.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
i mean i know most of the badjaos were displaced because of the war in mindanao but some were forced to leave because of the lack of jobs. really surprised that they are also in cebu but come to think of it, cebu is nearing to mindanao than manila so there is a greater probability that they would end up in nearby provinces and not just here in manila.
appreciate your thoughts gaiza.
cheers!!!
@lodyllesovo (321)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
I think that most of these Badjaos will be in the most of the cities especially now that people will be so giving since Christmas is coming. I strongly feel that someone should talk to the leader of these Badjao so that they will not live in the streets anymore, especially here in Cebu. I think that is also the reason why some of the orphaned/abandoned children are also asking alms in the streets. They have their "mentors"...
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
3 Nov 09
agree with you there lody.
christmas is a time for giving but hopefully people, not just badjaos mind you, won't abuse this time of month. surprised that there are many badjaos in cebu as well but now that i think more about it, cebu is nearer to mindanao than manila so the transport fare is cheaper. the people behind these badjaos might be earning more with the lower transportation fare.
thanks for joining the discussion and welcome to mylot.
@izathewzia (5134)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
I pity these people. They have a much brighter future if they do what they should be doing at their age - either studying or working. But not asking alms. Because life nowadays are really hard. If you don't work you will most probably not eat. And if you don't study, you will not most probably find a better way to earn a living.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
4 Nov 09
hi izathewzia!!!
yes, i pity these people as well but aside from pity, i do feel a certain responsibility to them to try and help them out even in my own little way. certainly we can't help them all, that would be great but impossible with the meager resources that we have but simply helping out a family of badjaos will do. it is a good start in my opinion.
agree with you that having a good education is a start to ease out of poverty but i think the opportunity to study is not available to these people and hopefully the government can do something about this. the government must also consider that what they teach our badjao brothers and sisters is something that they can use in their everyday lives. something practical and something that they can use in their lives.
thanks for joining.
cheers!!!
@Ritchelle (3790)
• Philippines
3 Nov 09
i think this is the government's way of "giving" during christmas and frankly i just wish they would think of another way of doing charity this season. however, i do think that these badjaos are not forced to go sail to the city during and we can be a little bit placated by the fact that probably they do appreciate coming to cities during christmas. however, i see nothing (if i were in their place) to be happy about with this act of our government since all they do here is beg for alms.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
12 Nov 09
hi ritchelle.
if this is the government's way of 'gving' during christmas, i'd rather pass on this offer. also shows what kind of government we have if what you're saying is true. agree with you that i wouldn't want to be in the place of these badjaos. thanks for chiming in.
cheers!!!
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
10 Nov 09
hi mimiang.
been awhile since i last saw you post. what have you been up to lately?
yeah, i remember, badjao kids do that. i was vacationing in davao and i was on my way to pearl farm and i was surprised that there was a commotion. it appears that some passengers were throwing coins in the sea and these badjao kids are diving for it. it might seem fun but in reality these kids are exsposing themselves to danger for just a few pesos. hopefully, this kind of activity stops for the sake of the badajo kids.
thanks for joining.
cheers!!!
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
Hello allen,
this is so sad
,although they can be annoying when they ride in the jeeps but you just can't help pity on them. they're aren't just some Filipinos running around, these are one of the ORIGINAL Filipino tribes who had settle in our motherland.and should not just be treated like a low-life, how ever not even us here can't do a damn thing about it. It's only today in this discussion that i realized that they're actually Badjao's,most people's impression is that they're parents might use the money for gambling.@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
8 Nov 09
hi letranknight.
yes, it is indeed sad and i do feel the same toward them. being part of a proud tribe, badjaos do deserve to be treated better than this. hopefully, the government and us, private citizens, can do something to help out our badjao brothers and sister. i just feel that giving alms only worsens the situation and does not help them in the lon grun.
just my opinion but i do thank you for joining the discussion.
cheers!!!
@calai618 (1773)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
I've only experience being with them in the same jeepney when I went to Taguig. A Badjao man held his daughter who was obviously having a hard time in her situation. He them asked us for money including the driver but only a few gave them some money, Some of us interviewed them as to how they got here in manila in the first place. We were also wondering why they had to bring their little children along wit them. I really didn't know if he chose not to answer the question or if he just didn't understand what we were talking about. My view is that no matter how much I want to give them money or food, I still cant help but think that there can be a group of people or syndicates who have brought them everywhere and are using them to earn money. I really believe these people don't have the money to make their way towards manila or cebu and that there are people who are funding them. As for their motives, I really don't know. This is actually not new, Aeta's start to go down from the mountains to our place every Christmas and New Year. I want to help them but I may be helping the people behind them get rich and not these poor natives... :(
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
8 Nov 09
hi calai618!!!
you hit the nail on the head with your comment. that's what's actually stopping me from helping these badjaos out is the thought that a crime syndicate is behind them. the idea is sickening but very possible with what we have been hearing and reading in the news nowadays.
thanks for chiming in.
cheers!!!
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
4 Nov 09
I agree giving alms is good but you have to give it to the right people and the right place. Giving alms in the street only encourages these beggars to roam the streets more, not only an ugly sight but they're putting themselves in harms way in the process. We already have government agencies, NGOs and private corporations who are doing their share in giving alms to the poor in terms of contributions and even give assistance to livelihood projects however there are beggars who refused to accept help from these agencies, they may have their own reason but i think roaming the streets to beg should not a choice instead we should treat it as a crime, I'm not blind to the poverty around us but I see no reason why a person should beg, especially kids just because their parents were ignorant. Parents of these kids should be sent to prison for not doing their job and provide what they should to their kids. Being handicapped should not be enough reason to beg because I see a lot of handicapped people earning a good living everywhere. Cheers!
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
12 Nov 09
agree with you there ybong007.
everything must be done in the right place and the right time including giving alms. you made a valid point about the government, the NGOs, and the private corporations already doing their part in helping out our unfortunate brothers and sisters. as a private citizen, we are also able to do our share. however, there are those that contend themselves to begging for alms to live through their daily lives. these are the people who put themselves in harm's way. nevertheless, we should still try to extend a helping hand to these people. hopefully, they will see what is wrong in their actions and they will mend their ways.
thanks for joining.
cheers!!!
@dhysanne (449)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
You know what? It's not that I pity this people one thing that makes me give them a penny is that I'm thinking of the blessings God gives me, then I share it with them. They do not have permanent place to live in, and enough food to provide their children. Even if I heard that these people are rich than us because they own hectares of land.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
10 Nov 09
hi dhysanne.
well, that one way of looking at it. i do agree with you that it is good to share what we have. no arguments coming from me. however, i do like to see a more long-term solution to our badjao brothers and sisters. giving alms only provides a short-term solution. remember if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. nothing wrong with giving alms, it's not just a long term solution in my belief.
thanks for joining. cheers!!!
@beadguru (40)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
Well if they are really Badjaos what the local officials should do is to feed them and clothe them before sending them back to Mindanao. I have my own share of experience when it comes with these "badjaos". My cousin, who is a member of the Marine Corps was assigned in Mindanao for over a decade. He constantly mingled with the Badjaos in the area where he was assigned hence, he was able to speak and understand their native language which is Tausug. When he has been re-assigned in Manila he lived with my family. One time, during Christmas Season, there was this young boy who went house to house in our street asking for alms. He even have a letter with him stating that he cant read nor write and that he is a Badjao. When my cousin read what is stated in the letter he immediately spoke with him in Tausug. To our surprise he can't understand even just a single word my cousin has spoken. Instead of Tausug the boy speaks Bisaya, which is one of the dialect here in the Philippines. My cousin hesitated to give any alms to the boy. He told the boy that he shouldn't be roaming around fooling people and using our badjao brothers and sisters to his benefit.We then came into a conclusion that the boy might be a member of a syndicate.
Going back to the topic, these reported incidents should be a wake up call for the local officials in Mindanao that they should do something about the immigration of Badjaos to other places. Government officials should give them alternative means of making money like skills development that is only if they are willing to do so. In so doing, they wont be begging for alms anymore but they will be able to feed themselves and their family in a more dignified way.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
9 Jan 10
hi bead!
interesting bit you sent in there about your cousin talking tausug and catching the young boy red-handed about him faking the story that he is a 'badjao'. all the more that makes these alleged 'badjaos' seem fishy and part of syndicates that are out to put a quick one over us unsuspecting commuters.
makes my blood boil!!! i'd want to think that no one would stoop this low to earn money but apparently there are $cumbags who would stoop this low.
@lyzabelle (1668)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
Yes...I seen a lot of them everyday in the street. My heart goes out to them.
I give them money too...not because I want to encouraged them to go ahead and
beg for more alms.It's because in that particular time and place I saw a naked
soul...tortured under the heat of the sun for something that we all should have.
Yes...I'm not guilty for giving them money. If only I am as rich as Bill gates. I could have given more meaning to their lives.
Let's question ourselves. How did they come to the city? What brought them here?
When in the city, most people are insensitive to their flights. Maybe the government should dig differ of the real reason why they leave their natural habitat and venture in to a place that is entirely foreign to them. Definitely,
something is wrong. We have to understand the reason why they leave their home.
It's the only way to help them.
Unfortunately, our government has not made any action at all in regards with their
situation. I felt sad about this. They are human beings too, just like us. They also deserve to live a productive life just like everybody else. As much as possible,I don't want to see their faces again full of pain and misery. Others, might fake their situation...but many of them really needs our help and compassion.
What is killing me...is the children. The sweet innocent babies who are not meant
to suffer at very tender age. They look malnourished. I happen to meet one of their kind. A mother with 3 malnourished children. The youngest is only 8 months old. I bring them to a small food eatery, buy foods for them and give the mother
500 peso. I even embraced the fragile baby in my arms...he is so light. Right...there I wanted to cry because life is so unfair. The baby look at me..and that blank stare will forever haunted my mind until today. What hurt me most is that I wanted to help them all but I can't...that is killing me.
How I wish...there's something I can do for them.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
They are very annoying when I live in manila for almost 2 years. Those badjao kids even have carry a baby then have to endanger the lives of their own companion when they cross the streets during traffic. Then, almost 3 of the children would enter a jeep with an letter of gives handout of envelopes to all passengers, stating in the letter they been whisked for their hometown because of war and from basilan they come to manila. I think their are handled by syndicates. Though, sometimes i give 1 pesos my brother insist me not to give to them because it would encourages them to be more lazy depending on others to help them, as it is known as the professional beggars.
Yup, from the things you mention they are bringing their music singing loudly then accompanied by the ethnic sounds from their drummer hitting the tin can. They are annoying that they really insist other passengers to give them money then after they have gone to another jeep again to do the same things. So if we gonna count their earning it is more than a regular daily income of a worker. The scenario is annoying and the Social welfare should be the ones to keep them out of the street and put in a proper shelter where they would be need to be totally out of the dangers of the street. Then, the agency should also educate them and gives them proper livelihood or else they should be back to their provinces again with the offer f free fares. Their life would be back to normal again.
