I make sure I record happy moments because I know my days are short.... am not gonna live long, and I wanted to leave some of my memories not for people to remember me, but to learn from me... that life is beautiful.... it is not hard.... circumstances are meant to make us strong, wiser and appreciative of things and people that pass by our lives.
I believe that there is no such thing as "coincidence", there are reasons for everything under the heaven. Even love has a reason. I have a reason for loving You. My reason?
I love You because I want to love You.
The person in-charged to go to Malitam Island is sick and I saw it as an opportunity to visit the other 2 tribal communities there. I took charged.
My mom doesn't want me to go there. The air will trigger my illness. Since it's not raining for days, I assumed, the environment there will be okay, the DSWD was there prompting the people to clean up the place.... so I go.
"Don't tell my mom." I asked my 2 companions.
The northwest wind was blowing hard. The waves are fierce. Our small boat won't make it to the other side. We waited for a banca hitch.... a bigger and motorize banca passed by. We hitched.
Batangas Bay
I gave a little exhortation in the gathering after the people said prayers, and a little understanding about our Bill of Rights. I aimed to make them aware about our freedom to live and choose. Tagalogs don't respect the tribal rights of the Badjaos... kasi hindi sila nakapag-aral. A Tagalog is insisting the tribe that he should be the tribal leader and has the back up of the DSWD in the city. Two ignoramus and abusive creatures of the tribe. Both wants to make money out of these illiterate people.
My visit to the tribal leaders became an afternoon of " sumbungan". I am so glad many of the badjao children now are pursuing schooling. The tribal leaders have been convinced of our campaign to educate their children and youth. Our ALS Service provision works. Time will come, we will be like the aetas, mangyan, dumagat and t'bolis who have pursued education.
Roaming around the communities... oh, it's food tripping to the max! I had to force myself to drink all the softdrinks served. (You are na important person if you were served with softdrink and bread and eat everything served to you.... bawal magtira! Ayy! Because Badjao's don't offer food to non-Badjao guests.... unless you win their trust. )
The air was filled with tribal music..... oh, a wedding to be held tomorrow. It' s been three days of dancing, eating and drinking. The wedding venue is like a stage.... a decorated stage. Others hold their weddings on a big banca. That is the kind of wedding I first attended during my 1st year in the tribe.
Badjao wedding on top of a boat
wedding preparations using a stage.... it is elevated so all the people will be able to witness the wedding. I think this is also the groom's way to let all the people know that the bride is his wife and all men are warned not to show interest on her.
All people are invited to dance the 3 days dancing. The last dance will be given by the bride and groom.
We went hunting for street food ala badjao. Ui, I saw these food in a travel show in television, showcasing badjao street food.
"Teacher, kakain ka?"
"Of course. Libre ko pa."
My mom doesn't want me to eat food here.
"Hindi yan malinis! Bawal sa yo ang contaminated food."
"Kahit naman kanino bawal ang contaminated food." sabi ko.
" Mas higit sa iyo... alam mo yn."
But I went on. And a phone call came in...... guess who? My Mom!
Nevermind..
a version of fishball....
but it's not fish that's inside but mongo sprout (toge)
mango salad with thousand sili sauce..... hahaha..... mamili ka ng size ng mangga............ shredded or sliced lng... whatever...... the sauce tastes great!
Sobrang enjoy ko sa pagkain.... I forgot my targeted 4 packs-abs. Hahahaha. A man saw me, he is one of those who once lived in our community and transferred here in Malitam to live. He was so glad to see me. Never touch a woman by her arms..... he held my arm and said, " Teacher, huwag na hindi ka dadaan sa bahay namin. Iintayin ka namin." I said yes.
I wondered why.
Their clan left our community due to a misunderstanding with my father. The other 2 communities are driving them to return to us but they don't want. That's why they built their houses by the sea shores and at the back of the community, near the bamboo area.
Many things run in my mind. I know how Badjaos think.
After seeing the communities and the people...
I ask my companions to go and visit the breakaway clan-- the Marlins.
The eating was repeated .......... awww. And they hugged me, of course, di kasama mga lalaki sa pagyakap.... bad yun! Women and kids came hugging and blessing me. The men, shaking my hands. Tears?? I saw tears? I saw....
"Hindi kami galit sau teacher. Sana, madalas ka dito. Lagi mo kami puntahan."
"Gusto namin ikaw makita. Nasisiyahan kami."
I tried to hide my weakness. I felt compassion when I saw their state now.. so very different and difficult from how they are when they are with us. I know God is teaching them to return to Jesus.
We share talks and laughs..... as if a sun shine through ...
Oh I was so happy.... So happy I came back again.... so happy I saw my people.
I don't know why I love the people.... why I like to talk to them... kahit alam ko na hindi naman lahat ng salita ko ay naiintidihan nila.
Umuwi kami, madilim na, sa dagat flashlight lang ang aming dala... hindi magkamayaw ang paalamanan...hehehe...ayaw ako pauwiin.
Ang saya ng aking hapon.... simple lang ang kaligayahan ko. Okay lang kahit tatlong (3) time bombs ang natapakan ko sa shoreline. Okay lang kahit kinakailangan kong uminom ng gamot pagkatapos ng pagdalaw. Sulit ang mga kati sa binti at braso ko. Hindi ko alam bakit gusto kong bumabalik-balik dito sa community....sa piling ng mga Badjao.
I miss stairs like this. No nails. No ropes. Removeable.
Badjaos remove their stairs at night before they go to sleep ..
