Last June 14, I visited Zamboanga for the first time. The one-day visit was arranged primarily by
the National Youth Commission, who I’ve partnered with a couple of times, to do
community work for the people of Layag Layag in connection with the 25th
anniversary of the NYC. In order to maximize my trip, I figured it would be
best to do campus visits to the schools in Zamboanga to propagate our
anti-bullying campaign, which has been given much attention lately. During that
same trip, We were also able to have a productive meeting with the regional
youth board of Zamboanga as well as a live guesting with Sir Ron on TV5
Mindanao to talk about bullying and
other relevant issues of the youth.
My friend Oliver and I took the early Cebu Pacific flight
that departed Manila at 545am. Upon touchdown, we were met by Commissioner
Early of the NYC and immediately had breakfast at the Garden Orchid hotel and
met with the rest of the group, composed of NYC Chairman Flores, DepEd
representatives and volunteers of the Yellow Boat project headed by Dr. Anton
Lim, who became known internationally for his contribution in saving the life
of hero dog Kabang.
NYC Chairman Flores speaking to the very well-behaved kids of Ateneo de Zamboanga during our Anti-Bullying & Anti-Drug abuse symposium
Students signing the pledge that they will not be bullies, they will report bullies & they will help the bullied
This time, here I am addressing the less-behaved Western Mindanao State University students and faculty, hehe!
Charis Foundation Exec. Director, Oliver Tuason, giving a short seminar on virtues to local administrators
THE JOURNEY
We drove about 15 minutes to get to the eastern tip of the
mainland where we had to walk and maneuver our way through the muddy ponds,
which used to be salt ponds. It was a wrong move to wear flip flops because
they ended up sinking in the mud so I just walked barefoot and watched out for
the sharp rocks. We then boarded two yellow boats, which were made possible by
the Yellow Boat group of Dr. Anton, and sailed towards the Layag Layag
community which was located around 2.5 kilometers away. It was a very scenic
and serene ride through the mangroves. This boat ride was only possible as it
was still high tide. The bigger boats cannot sail during the low tide. At one point we could actually see the
silhouette of Basilan already. The water was surprisingly clean and clear,
allowing you to see the floor bed.
Executive Director of Charis Foundation, Oliver, and a cute local friend
Beautiful mangroves leading to Layag-Layag
Finally we arrived at the community. I was amused! They literally
lived on stilts. And the boats were their primarily mode of transportation.
Potable drinking water was delivered twice a day. Electrical wires were tapped
from the mainland. I felt like we were already at the end of the country
already where all you could see was water surrounding us. Apparently, when I
checked my location using google maps on my mobile, we were literally on the
southwestern most tip of the country.
Some houses even had TVs and it was flattering to find out
that they enjoy watching iBilib on GMA7! Some of them also patronize the PBA and
my team Rain or Shine. I was amazed to see they had a basketball rim hung on
one of the houses BUT it could only be played when it was low tide. I initially thought they could play ball on
boats when high tide, but no! That would have been interesting to see! Since
they were predominantly Muslims, there was a floating Mosque nearby where they
would pray several times daily.
It wasn’t very easy loading and unloading the boat because
it would sway once someone stands or unloads. We did our gift giving at the day
care center, which was donated by the Tzu Chi foundation and this was
physically connected to the sari-sari store only by three bamboo sticks which
we had to use to cross. Incidentally, our
goodie bags contained Master facial wash among other Unilever products.
Check out these eco-friendly makeshift light bulbs. Recycle
your plastic 1.5L or 2L bottles, fill it with water and add some zonrox or
bleach, then you have a natural source of light that’s essentially free and
eco-friendly.
KIDS TRAVELING TO SCHOOL
The one thing that alarmed me and caught my attention was
how the kids travelled to school and back.
The nearest public school was Talon-Talon public school, which is
located in the mainland. If it was low tide, these poor little kids have to
place their school uniforms in sealed plastic bags and wade or for the smaller
ones, swim to the mainland which was around 2-3 kilometers away, so that their
uniforms will not get soaked. Remember, these are kids as young as 6 or 7 years
old. If the tide would permit, they would take their own boats and paddle their
way to the mainland. Some are lucky enough to be ‘paddled’ by their fathers
before they head to work.
Upon getting to the mainland, they dock their boats on tree
stems and bring their paddle to school. After class, they walk back to their
boats, untie them, and paddle back home. I’ve never seen kids so independent
and fearless!
LIVELIHOOD
The reason why this community chooses to live on water is
because of their livelihood. The main produce in Layag Layag is seaweed. They
plant and harvest these seaweeds just outside of their houses. Sadly, many of
the young boys have to stop schooling as early as high school in order to help
their families make a living.
Here’s a photo of myself with the ‘seaweed’ boys! Always
cheerful and positive.
Another thing that got my attention was the average number of
people per household. Moms had anywhere between 4 to 8 kids despite having such
low-income levels. Some of them were fathers even before 20 years old. For the
women, because of the lack of opportunities, education and absence of aspirations, they decide
to marry early and have kids.
SO PERSEVERING, SO SIMPLE, YET SO HAPPY
After a few hours, we headed back to the city, I hope we
were able to bring smiles to this uniquely persevering community! Paradoxically, I was the one
really moved after witnessing their persistent and such simple lifestyles. Yet,
they remain so detached and so happy with whatever it is that they have –
mostly I would say is the company of their families and loved ones!
This experience made me reflect. Many times, we fail to
realize how blessed we are because we are pre-occupied with our fast paced
lives. And with this consumeristic environment we live in, we tend to want
more, more and more, never content with what the Lord has already given us. I
think one way to escape this viscous trap is to practice self-giving and
detachment before it’s too late. It won’t happen overnight, we will need to do
it one small step at a time. With God's grace, it can be done!
The Yellow Boat project is a huge blessing for the people of
Layag Layag! Through the generosity of various individuals and institutions, these
boats allow the kids, at the very least, to go to school. More so, they are
used by the locals to make a living by planting, harvesting then selling the
seaweeds in the markets. But more than its pragmatic function, for me, when I
see these yellow boats in the community, I see HOPE! I see persevering individuals trying to survive in life! I see selfless Filipinos
who care for their fellow people. This is one type of fever we won’t mind
spreading – the Yellow Boat fever!
