The Bajao in a new light

MANILA, Philippines - “Biyah na kaw dagbus Samal!”

A local expression that is commonly used to describe someone who looks dirty, filthy or everything unsightly. But for Anak-Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist’s Tausog Princess Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, these words just utter a matter-of-factly about the current condition of country’s ethnic tribes and their indigenous people, especially in Mindanao.

“I grew up with this expression. It is often said with utmost discrimination, unapologetic to people made a symbol of such degradation: The Samal, Luwaan or Bajao. If one wrote a dictionary and any of these words is defined as dirty, or lowly or semi-human, perhaps no one will even question it,” said Hataman. 

Hataman, wife of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman, is an advocate of women’s rights in Mindanao. She also leads various non-government organizations that sought to improve people’s lives and advocate human rights of indigenous people in the South.

Hataman, who hails from Basilan, recalled that her own tipping point came during the distribution of Ramadan packs a few months ago. While handing out the goods, looking into their eyes, seeing their smiles up close, the solon saw the gentlest souls, the purest hearts and the most beautiful people.

“After the distribution, I shared my thoughts with the PINK and AMIN people. We must share the beauty we saw. The world must see the value of the Bajaos, and the Bajao himself or herself must see that value within,” enthused Hataman.

The activity gave Hataman and her peers an idea to create a campaign that will focus on the needs of the marginalized Bajao communities. Thus, Focus: Bajao was born. It is aimed at providing the local folks with educational assistance, through opportunities to formal education or alternative learning systems; health interventions; livelihood assistance, particularly through capacity building. The advocacy also highlights one important factor that is   contributing to the current state of the Bajaos, i.e. how society sees them, the basis of discrimination, exploitation and oppression.

The Focus: Bajao journey has started with a photo exhibit caravan. And, the first challenge was finding people that can be entrusted with the delicate task of bringing out and capturing the image envisioned, raw, uncorrupted, the Bajao beautiful in their own skin.