So much is written and seen about these sea gypsies that inhabit the sea of Celebes and Sulu although not much is yet to be desired in seeing their plight as among the poorest of the poor. I did had a close encounter with these people while waiting for my relatives at the sea port in Cebu.
It was past 6am and having taken taken just enough of my strength to wake up early for the long ride towards the port, my wife's relative announced through text that the boat they were in would be delayed. Though dismayed of the announcement, I chance upon the opportunity to shoot as I had a window of one hour and a half of waiting. I was glad I took my camera with me as soon as I started flicking towards the glorious sunrise, some of the Badjao came with their pitiful children in tow in their fragile boat to ask for dole outs.
They as far as my exposure to these people is concern have always live on the dole outs of people by tossing coins to them or to the sea from the bigger commercial ships while they swim to retrieve them. Their was nothing to be scared of these people drowning as these tribe make a living in the sea. They are very good swimmers having taught their children to swim at a young age. It is a pitiful sight though to see these fragile children, so young being exposed to the elements. I think their doing it in purpose though to exact pity on people faces.
The government tried to help them by giving them jobs inland but they seem to be lost in translation as they always comes back to the sea for where they seem to belong.
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