A Case Study About the Daily Life Struggles and Survival of Badjaos Living

in the Urban Setting

CHAPTER I

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course

IMM 001

Basan, Louise Hardi

Carillo, Kent Ryan

Morro, Andrea

Obenita, Deceree

Robios, Trisha

Rosales, Ma. Charlene

Salibad, Juliene Seth

Technological institute of the Philippines Quezon City

938 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City

Senior High School Department

November 2019
 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

This chapter contains a brief introduction of the study and the statement of the
research problem. Enveloped in this chapter are also the scope and delimitation of the
study, as well as the entities that will benefit from the conduct of the research..

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Nowadays, indigenous people like bajau or bajao are moving to the cities in order
for them to survive and for them to fulfill their roaring stomach. Some of the indigenous
people like bajaos are moving to the cities because of the conflict in their areas like
terrorism, climate change, government interest and etc. badjaos are set in their mindset if
they will move to the urban areas, they will have a better life unlike their traditional
actions or beliefs in order for them to live. The badjaos are a sea-dwelling tribe, often
known as the "Sea Nomads", who have been floating off the shores of Southeast Asia for
centuries. As a nomadic tribe living in stilt huts or boat houses on shallow waters, they
make their living from traditional free-diving for fish and pearls.Over the years, more and
more Badjao people have been lured away from the ocean, migrating to a life on land (G.
Valle, 2015). As they belong to no official state and possess no official nationality, they
find the move from sea to land a challenge. Because of their nomadic lifestyle, the Badjao
are at a disadvantage with no schooling, healthcare or access to government-provided
social services (Guillem Valle, 2015).

The Bajaos are the most sea-oriented people of the Sama-speaking peoples found chiefly
in a maritime region stretching from the coastal areas of Zamboanga Bay to the Sulu
Archipelago in the Philippines. Panaguiton (2010:3) citing several sources contend that
they are known to be navigators, sailors, fishermen, pearl divers, boat builders and mat
weavers. They are generally deemed respectful, joyful, simple, humble, hospitable, easily
pleased, and go along with others with a high sense of gratitude. In addition, they are
described to be hardworking/thrifty, nonviolent/peaceful, and contented/happy people
(Teo 2001). While there may be variations, Roxas-Lim (2001) describes the Bajaos as
follows:

Bajau tend to be identified as “nomadic,” subsistence

fishing, foraging groups, living in relatively small, isolated enclaves, in
areas remote from centers of commerce, industry, and central authority.
Their social organization is based on the nuclear family and close
blood and affinal kinsmen, and loosely organized communities focused
on fishing activities and common mooring places. … Mainly
uneducated, poor, and helpless (until the 1960s), they are prey to all
sorts of depredations by more powerful groups (Roxas-Lim 2001: 16).

Due to the violent clashes between government forces and the Moro National Liberation
Front (MNLF) armed groups in the 1970s, a number reportedly fled to many parts of
Sabah and several areas in the country. The loss of their traditional fishing grounds to big
commercial fishing businessmen has also exacerbated their dismal state. Movement to the
urban centers made them more marginalized in the process. In the words of Sather in
Bottignolo (1995: vi-vii): “…everywhere the Badjao, as a sea people, have tended to be
marginalized, excluded from positions of power, despised, and confined to the lowest
rungs of the social ladder…” As a social phenomenon, migration is influenced by the
push and pull forces in our society. How can the Bajau gain control over their own lives
and live as normal human beings when issues and concerns keep piling up? The
impending issue of eviction is characterized by failed attempts of the local government to
haul the Bajau back to the province. After a while, they always come back in droves and
unsurprisingly more in number. Which specific government agency should look into their
condition and assist them? It is a daunting task to look deeply into their situation and
concretely address their economic, sociocultural, and political marginalization. Their
condition poses a continuing challenge on what can be effectively done for the group. In
this context, it is worthwhile to quote Nimmo’ epilogue in his “Magosaha: An
Ethnography of the Tawi-tawi Sama Dilaut” (2001:233):

… the search for sustenance has taken them to new currents very

different from their past. These currents are without boats and are

flowing toward an uncertain future that will test the survival skills they

learned…

Meanwhile, the increasing rate of early marriages in the settlement multiplies

more mendicants. A number of them are becoming fluent in Bisaya dialect to enable them
to transact business with the outside world. Exposed to the urban setting, the Bajau are
now also drawn to modern entertainment such as television sets, cell phones, keyboard
organs, cassettes, and karaokes. Like everyone else, they are also caught by change in a
fast-paced globalizing world. While they have seemingly low aspirations, behind poverty
are smiling faces, generosity, leniency, happy disposition with their “tambol” (improvised
drums), songs, dances, and marital rites and celebrations. Life simply goes on for the
Bajau and their children’s children (Bracamonte, Boza and Poblete, 2011).

Indeed, the Bajau continue to live and survive in a new environment with their
own coping mechanisms that negate the essence of meaningful and sustainable
development. In the face of this stark reality among the Bajau, an integrated and
collaborative development is badly needed. This calls for a people-centered approach that
must be truly humanistic, participatory, democratic, and sustainable(Bracamonte, Boza
and Poblete, 2011). This paper will tackle an in-depth analysis of how badjao people
coping their daily life struggle in urban setting.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

 The study aims to know the Daily Life Struggles and Survivals Among Badjao People

in Urban Setting that sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the reasons why they transfer to urban setting?

2. What are their life struggles before and after going to the urban areas?

3. How do they overcome their life struggles?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study aims to provide knowledge for them to avoid misconception regarding to

our indigenous people specially badjaos. Furthermore, the study could be beneficial to the

following:

Students. This study will sure as a guid to avoid using the words/phrases that could

indicate discrimination the students can protect themselves from the occurrence of

discrimination.

Government. The conduct of the study will help them to identify why the

indigenous people are migrating to the urban settings specially badjaos and for the

government will take an actions to the reasons why they transfer in the urban areas and

make a programs that can help the indigenous people specially badjaos.

Non-Government Organizations. This research will also help them to find out what

are the reasons why they are begging for coins or soliciting in the urban areas and for

them to create a program to help the indigenous people specially badjaos. In addition,

they can collaborate with the government to help the indigenous people specially badjaos

before and after they transfer in urban areas.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The study “A Case Study About the Daily Life Struggles and Survival of Badjaos

Living in the Urban Setting” is to be conducted only within the Metro Manila which is an

urban area. he researchers selected participants will be coming from different place in

Metro Manila where "Badjao" are used to stay. This study is limited to the "Badjao"

people who are capable to answer and share their story in different ages. There are

different kinds of "Badjao". The researcher planned to survey around 5-10 "Badjao" only.

The study only focuses on knowing the Struggles of "Badjao" people on their daily lives

and how they survive on it.