These kids caught my attention on our way to Scuba Diving adventure in Samal Island, Davao City. One of the locals informed me that they belong to the Badjao community.
The Badjaos are found in many coastal settlements dotting the Sulu archipelago, particularly in Jolo, Tawi-Tawi and Sitangkai. Others are scattered in Davao, Surigao, Zamboanga, Basilan, Bohol, Cebu and Manila in search of livelihood.
The Badjao are popularly known as Sea Gypsies of the Sulu and Celebes Sea. The name Badjao is a Malay-Bornean word which connotes “man of the seas” or Orang-Laut in Bahasa Malayo. Their Sama and Tausug neighbors call them by pejorative names such as Samal Palau (outcast Samal). The badjao call themselves as Samal Laus (Sea Sama). Many badjaos live most of their lives in houseboats, which occasionally cluster in moorings near certain strands and beaches, so as to do business in nearby market places of the land-dwelling Sama and Tausug.
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Ambo, nice photos. Those kids are so brave. The water looks very deep.
Leap of Faith!’s last blog post..Psyching Myself
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Ambo (90 comments.) reply on May 28th, 2008:
Thank you Leap if faith. Actually there are more kids around aside from them. Maghulog ka ng barya lalanguyin nila. Lalim nga yan hanggang dila lols.
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Grabe naman ang mga shots mo! Wish ko din makapag shoot ng ganyan kalinaw at vivid. Have a great week-end:)
vanidosa’s last blog post..A classic timepiece
[Reply]
Ambo (90 comments.) reply on May 30th, 2008:
Hi Ms. Vanidosa thanks for dropping and appreciating my photos. Have a great weekend too.
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[...] Photo News Sea GypsiesThese kids caught my attention on our way to Scuba Diving adventure in Samal Island, Davao City. One [...]
[...] nasa edad na 9 or 10. Mayroon siyang dalang sobre na ang nakasulat ay maagang pamasko para sa mga batang Badjao. Pumasok siya sa Jeep at isa-isang inabot ang dala-dalang sobre. Sa aking pakiramdam ang batang ito [...]
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