A Treasure Worthy To Be Found: Basilan (Part 2)

...continued

Warm-hearted

The second day was the day when we went to the Samal Bajau community and mingled with our brothers and sisters there. We visited two villages (Teheman and… forgive me, but I forgot the name of the other village!) that day.

The long bridge to Teheman's second gate.

The first gate of Teheman  was just a walking distance away from the house we were staying in. Before getting to the actual village community, we first walked on a long bridge surrounded by mangroves which connected the village to the island. Take note that the Samal Bajaus were also called sea gypsies because they live over the sea. Literally, over the sea , since their houses are built on thick,long wood stalks. Before, when the bridge was not yet built, the Bajaus would paddle on small boats to get to the island. When the tide is high, the sea water reaches just inches below their houses. But when the tide gets low, one can easily walk under one house to get to the other house. It was low-tide during our visit, so we experienced walking under the Bajau's houses.

Kids are very fond of the camera.

After the long walk, we already reached the second gate where we were enthusiastically met by children. Bro. Joseph already oriented me that the children loved the camera. One wouldn't need to ask them if they can be taken a picture of. They'd tag you on the arm and shout, "Ate, picture! Picture!" They would voluntarily pose before the camera and give a big smile.

It amazed me how warm these children welcomed us. They didn't even know us, but they welcomed us like we have been there and have seen each other before. Not just only the children, but the mothers as well, who sat beside the edge of the bridge making food for lunch. Their welcome felt so warm it made me feel like we were of family to them. And so, how can they be hard to love? The people were all wearing smiles.

If you zoom in this picture,
you'd see the little girl
paddling inside a vat.

We visited one (or the only, if I'm not mistaken) classroom they had in the Teheman community. The lessons were taught using the dialect of the Bajaus. I think it's just appropriate to use the town's dialect in giving examples to the students so that the students can relate directly with the lesson (how can a student fully understand the concept of an igloo if they themselves do not know or experience what it is?). 

I also had my share of Bajau lessons:

-Good morning = Ahap Subuh

-Thank you = Magsukob

For us to transfer to the other nearby village, we boarded on a paddle boat. While we were, well… paddling, a small girl caught my eye. I laughed when I saw her paddling, not on-board a small paddle boat, but on a vat (palanggana in Filipino's terms)! How resourceful can Filipinos really get! I took a picture of her and she waved back at us.

Before alighting the paddle boat, we caught sight of an abundant number of starfishes just near the shore! My aunt and I were so amazed that Nanay Sybia, a Bajau mother who paddled for us, picked up some of the little five-armed cuties and put them inside the boat. While taking photos of the starfishes, I saw Nanay Sybia holding a sea urchin. She said that they usually gather sea urchins along the shore during low tide and have them as lunch or dinner. Unfortunately, we didn't had the chance to taste the sea urchins.

We reached the other Bajau community by walking under the house because the sea was on low tide (we were told that the houses' restrooms were also on top of us so we were extra careful not to be hit by something gooey! Haha).  However, once the sea rises up, they use the narrow bamboo bridges connecting one house to the other. I also tried using the bamboo bridge to get to another house, and I must say, one must really know how to balance well and learn to really make use of the bends of your feet and toes to hang on to the bridge. I can say that walking along it is a talent!

At that community, I visited some mothers who weaved mats or banigs made out of Pandan leaves for a living. These mats are called tepo by the Bajaus.  I asked one mother to teach me how to weave. As I took a strand over another  to secure the weaving,  I cannot help but think how skilled these mothers were in weaving and how good their hand and eye coordination were.

And just for the record, these mothers do not weave just for the sake of weaving. They weave because weaving is part of the Bajau's tradition and culture. It is in weaving that the women interpret their dreams and their ambitions in life. It is in weaving that the Bajau women feel that they belong to a community. Bro. Joseph told me that at some times, when the women convene and weave, they also sing. Not popular songs that we usually hear over the radio, but songs that come from their heart. They put the lyrics and the hymn together in an impromptu manner. Amazing.

After weaving the colored strands of the leaves, they would make them into bags, wallets, bracelets, earrings, and hats. Then they eventually sell them in the Bajau Community Center. Their products range from P5 (accessories) to P280 (bags).

You may check their site here: http://csfi.claretphilippines.com/

In fairness to the weavers and sewers, they also have their share of artistic talents. They do have beautiful and sellable designs. I even bought some of their merchandise to bring as pasalubongs to my friends and family back here in Manila.

When it was time for us to go, the people, especially Nanay Sybia, wished as well and said they hope that we return to their place. I do hope to return. That is, if I'll be successful in finding them a market here. :)

A weaved bag given to me as a souvenir. :D

After the experiences I encountered during my trip to Basilan, I was just in awe most, if not all, of the time. The island was literally full of life (in all aspects -- people, nature, culture). What's just so sad is that, because of the selected negative media thrown to the place, only selected people dare go and visit this Treasure Island. The news keeps on highlighting the conflict going on in the province, leaving out important stories which are worthy of telling  and hearing about. Stories which are positive and empowering.

I hope the government continues to strengthen the state of Mindanao and help protect its image. The whole island has a whole lot to offer people if only given the chance.

And as to the fear and doubts I initially had, I am proud to tell you, my friends, that I conquered them with a heartily smile. Since I got back to Manila safe and sound, I can whole-heartedly testify that Basilan can be livable, that Basilan can be a friendly province, that Basilan can offer something new and show off their potential if only given the chance. If only we take on courage and open our minds to this possibility. 

The Province of Basilan (Lalawigan ng Basilan in Filipino/Tagalog; Provincia de Basilan in Spanish/Chavacano) is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula. Its capital, Isabela City, is administered as part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region. To know more about the province, you may visit their website: http://www.basilan.gov.ph/