Bianca Umali’s ‘Sahaya’ sheds light on disparaged Badjaos

CEBU, Philippines — For the first time in her television career, Bianca Umali feels that she’s reporting to a movie set: There are consultants that scrutinize each scene’s cultural veracity, an entire set reminiscent of a real village was painstakingly recreated, a high-end camera is being utilized to create cinematic images, for starters.

Such are the efforts behind GMA Network’s newest epic-drama series “Sahaya,” premiering tonight after “Kara Mia” in the timeslot vacated by “Onanay.”

With Bianca playing the titular role, “Sahaya” (which means light and hope) follows the journey of a Badjao girl who bucks cultural, gender and societal stereotypes and in the process, inspires her family and her people.

Badjaos, one of the ethnic minorities in the Philippines, is a tribal group from Mindanao that resides in coastal areas.

Sea nomads by tradition, they are known to city dwellers as those bronze-haired, dark-skinned people who roam the streets for alms or dive for coins that arriving passengers at piers toss to the waters.

Although historically described as gentle and peace-loving, they are generally scoffed at by a society which sees them as irritating beggars and urban eyesores.

The production behind “Sahaya” is thus mindful that the culture of one of the most marginalized communities in the country be handled with utmost sensitivity and accuracy.

“During meetings, there are consultants for every detail. Whenever we shoot each scene, no matter how brief, everything is always checked: the set-up, the clothes, everything,” Bianca, 19, eagerly shares of the never-been-done-before concept.

No damsel in distress

Bianca says it is important that what they air is “hundred percent right and sure because meron kaming pinaninindigan na kultura and there are certain expectations from the show. We will not risk showing content na hinayaan lang, or in our standards, ‘Ok na yan.’ Ayaw namin mapahiya especially that we represent a tribe and we are trying to send huge messages.”

One of the stories that inspired “Sahaya,” according to Bianca, was a certain Badjao girl who managed to graduate from college. It is a rare feat, she says, since not all Badjaos are interested in education.

Aside from the importance of going to school, “Sahaya” also includes strong messages on awareness of Badjao culture and feminism.

“They don’t always need a knight in shining armor,” offers Migo Adecer who will play Jordan, the wealthy Manileño who will compete against Sahaya’s childhood friend for her love. “This time, she’s not going to be a damsel in distress.”

The series originally planned to shoot in Tawi-Tawi, with the research team already immersing in the island province’s Badjao community. Bianca and co-star Miguel Tanfelix were “personally pushing” to join the research group in Tawi-Tawi, but because of recent bombings, their management did not allow the excursion.

“Sahaya” instead set up base in Calatagan, Batangas, renting a whole resort where Badjao houses on stilts by the shore were built and markets created from scratch.

Miguel, who plays Sahaya’s fellow Badjao and love interest named Ahmad, appreciated the set’s authenticity.

“Yesterday was our first scene together with Bianca. Habang ginagawa namin yung eksena, hindi namin nararamdaman na kami si Miguel and Bianca. Pakiramdam namin mga Badjao talaga kami,” the actor says.

“Bilang nasa location talaga kami, tabi ng dagat, ramdam na ramdam talaga namin ang environment. Ang sarap gawin kasi lumalabas talaga yung character namin.”

Aside from dancing lessons, free-diving training (Bianca says that so far she has been able to hold her breath underwater for two minutes the longest), the actress prepared by looking up footage on YouTube and studying how to speak like a Badjao.

The show is also attempting to include real Badjaos in the cast.

“We’re not really aware of how they are. We know they exist, but we rarely read about them. We know them as the people who come here when it’s December...” Bianca continues.

“‘Sahaya’ wants to show viewers how they really are. You will see here kung paano sa tribo nila, yung pinagkaiba nila sa Manila, and kung paano nila ipaglalaban ang rights nila kapag pumunta sila sa ibang lugar. It’s not only focused on one aspect of life, it will delve on all aspects. And when I say all aspects, there’s love, there’s family, there’s education. It’s all about the journey of life and how you’re going to fight for what you love and what you believe in.”

Inseparable for now

When talk came to the reported rift within their love team – Miguel had been linked to Kyline Alcantara while Bianca is rumored to be dating fellow Kapuso Ruru Madrid – Miguel said the question of how she and Bianca really are towards each other is best thrown to the people surrounding them.

“Sila ang makakapagsabi kung gaano kami ka-caring sa isa’t-isa,” he says. “Hindi na siya matatanggal sa buhay ko dahil ang dami na niyang tinuro sa akin. Impact, kumbaga. Never ko na siyang makakalimutan.”

Bianca, the more outspoken of the two, was less coy. Stopping short of saying that she and Miguel have a genuine friendship but are not romantic, one just has to read between the lines.

“Normal na magkaroon ng mga issues, hindi lang sa showbiz, pero pati na rin sa mga buhay natin. Lahat naman tayo may struggles and there are bad times, and that’s how we learn. Kami ni Miguel, I think we’ve come to a point that our relationship is, yung wala po kaming choice kundi alagaan yung isa’t-isa because we are actually, I think, inseparable, as of now.”

She adds, “As Miguel said in another interview, I already have a special place in his heart. No matter how hard times are, not even between the two of us, kahit sa paligid namin, gamay na namin ang isa’t-isa. We know what the other one is feeling even if we don't say a word. Kahit magkatinginan lang kami. Kaya namin bumwelo sa isa’t-isa and we know how to talk to each other properly. So we get to handle problems ng hindi nagkakasamaan ng loob. Communication really is key.”

Migo, having spent a good amount of time with the pair, put in his two cents on the reel and real Biguel tandem.

“When I started in GMA, the love teams that were big were GabRu and BiGuel. You don’t really see Gabbi [Garcia] and Ruru [Madrid] nowadays, do you?” points out Migo.

“But until now, there’s still Miguel and Bianca. For a love team to stay up there until now and all the love teams are kind of falling apart, obviously there must be something real there. I feel like it’s still strong and the reason it’s still there is, it’s not fake. So when Miguel says there’s a special place in his heart for Bianca, I totally believe it.”