Brief Summary
This documentary explores the lives of Filipinos living in the remote islands of Tawi-Tawi, highlighting both the beauty and the challenges of these isolated communities. It focuses on issues such as limited access to education, healthcare, and the importance of birth registration to prevent statelessness.
- The documentary uncovers the difficulties faced by children like Tads, who travel long distances to attend school, and Lilay, who had to stop studying to help her family.
- It also sheds light on the Badjao community in Panggung Island, where residents face malnutrition, lack of healthcare, and the risk of statelessness due to unregistered births.
- The film emphasizes the need for increased support and opportunities for these remote communities, recognizing their potential to contribute more to the country.
Introduction: The Scattered Archipelago
The Philippines, an archipelago of numerous islands, faces the challenge of providing adequate support and services to its remote communities. Despite the islands being a source of wealth and beauty, many areas remain difficult to reach, leaving some Filipinos in danger of being forgotten. The documentary aims to explore these distant places and share the stories of the people who live there, focusing on the town of Sitangkai in Tawi-Tawi as a starting point.
Tads' Journey to School in Sitangkai
Sitangkai, a town in Tawi-Tawi, is home to over five million people. Many children from distant islands attend school there, but face different living conditions. Tads, a young student from Bulbulong, travels two to three hours by boat to attend school because there is no school in his village. His family sacrifices to afford the transportation costs, as only three of his 16 siblings have had the opportunity to study. Tads is motivated to finish his education to bring knowledge back to his island, especially after the death of three of his siblings at a young age due to illness.
Panggung Island: The Southernmost Island
The journey continues to Panggung Island, the southernmost island of the Philippines, near Sabah, Malaysia. Once a stronghold for bandit groups, it is now inhabited by more than 500 Badjaos. The island is far from health centers, leading to medical challenges for the residents. Health workers visit the island to measure and weigh children, revealing that two out of five are malnourished and stunted. Pregnant women often do not seek medical care due to the distance, posing risks to their health and their babies.
Challenges Faced by the Badjao Community
The Badjao people, known as "sea gypsies," traditionally move from place to place, but face difficulties due to modern borders. Joe, a Badjao who moved to Panggung Island, notes the challenges of fishing in Bungga. The Badjao community has the lowest basic literacy rate in the country, with only one in three able to read and write. Joe, who reached fourth grade, was appointed as a leader in Panggung. There is no school on the island, and a previously built school was forced to close due to lack of support. Marines stationed on the island conduct classes as part of their civilian-military operations, teaching basic literacy and the national anthem to instill a sense of Filipino identity.
Life on Panggung Island: Culture and Cross-Border Interactions
Residents of Panggung Island often travel to Semporna, Sabah, to buy goods, using both Philippine pesos and Malaysian ringgits. The relationship between the Badjaos and their Malaysian neighbors remains strong. Some residents, like Jal Maha, have family members living in Malaysia. Jal, a pregnant mother, did not go to the health center to give birth, and three of her four children lack birth certificates. Her eldest child was registered in Malaysia, where she was born in a hospital. The family moved from Malaysia due to strict regulations.
The Importance of Birth Registration and Identity
Many Badjao people lack birth certificates and identity documents. Joe emphasizes the importance of birth certificates for accessing education and medical treatment. He feels that his community is often overlooked due to their remote location. The Philippines, with its numerous islands, faces the challenge of reaching these isolated communities.
Visiting Tads' Home Island: Bulbul Islanding
The documentary crew visits Bulbul Islanding, the home of Tads, the student from Sitangkai. The island is small and lacks a school, clinic, government office, or police presence. The residents rely on each other for their daily needs. Tads' mother, Analyn, shares the tragic story of losing three young children within a few days due to illness, highlighting the lack of medical facilities on the island.
Lilay's Story: Sacrificing Education for Family
Lilay, Tads' sister, had to stop studying in grade three to help her family. She now helps with fishing. She misses her friends in Sitangkai but is dedicated to helping her family. Despite her circumstances, Lilay dreams of becoming a teacher in Bulbul, recognizing the need for a school on the island.
Addressing the Challenges and Future Aspirations
The local government is working to strengthen services and facilities in remote islands, prioritizing health. Low birth registration rates, particularly among the Badjao, pose a significant challenge, potentially leading to statelessness. Social mobilizer Emran emphasizes the importance of birth registration and livelihood support for these communities. Despite the hardships, residents like Tads aspire to improve their lives and contribute to their community, with hopes of becoming teachers and providing a better future for their families. The documentary concludes by emphasizing that with enough opportunity and attention, these remote communities can contribute more to the country than just being dots on the map.
