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.com)
