Mga Tuldok sa Laot (Full Episode) | The Atom Araullo Specials

0:07 Honey, the beauty of our archipelago from Luzon to Mindanao, the dots scattered across the ocean, small islands until now, are still being counted, added to and studied, but the islands are considered a wealth, but they are also a cause of great poverty, because there are still places in the Philippines that are difficult to reach with help and services. Even though we have been on the map for a long time, and some of our compatriots here are

0:53 in danger of disappearing, even Filipinoness. I traveled to Tawitawi to explore some dots at the end of our map. I want to meet our compatriots in these distant places whose stories are rarely revealed. So, we are here today in Sitangkai,

1:40 a town in the southern part of Tawi-Tawi. This is not really where we are going. But we need to rest for a while before walking to the more distant islands. [ Music] [Music] At the end of Tawi-Tawi, the town of Si Tangkay is home to more than 5 million people, most of whom are not from the sea or from the badiao,

2:27 not from Liya, and every Monday, the [Music] The others are young. They come from distant islands even though they study at the same school. The living conditions of the children are not the same. When recess comes, the year- old Tadal or Tads was bought to be left inside the classroom. He didn't have any food or money to buy snacks. What if you don't have any

3:14 food? What if you don't eat all day? No, that's not it. I just ate at home. We have two names of Yobob. In the small one in Bulbulong, Tats' family lives more than 20 km from here. Today, Father is said to be simple. Life there is simple. What do you do in Bolbolo? What does Papa do for a living? My father is my father. That's all. Your mother stays at home. She does the housework. She takes care of you when Papa is not there. Yes. How many siblings do you have?

4:00 16. Wow. 16. Your family is big. Oh, I want to learn. Because there is no school in Bulbul, Tads has to take a boat for two to three hours to get to school. This expense is heavy for the family, so you have to sacrifice your siblings. How many of you have studied? Only three of the others stopped because We don't have enough money to spend, we do n't have any money, so it's just us three, are the two of us educated? Are they older or younger?

4:46 Or are they younger? I'm the only one who's grown up. [Music] Tads has a deeper reason why he wants to finish his studies and bring some knowledge to his island. So three of them died. Three of your siblings died. Yes, they're older. This is SAO. What happened to them? They must have been sick before Tads was born. Three of his siblings died at a young age. [Music] I didn't catch up with them. What do they look like?

5:33 What happened to them? [Applause] I want to finish college. Yes, college. Do you think I can do it? [Applause] [Music] It's time to continue my journey with some health workers from Tangkay. We're

6:19 going to one of the most remote and isolated islands in the whole country. [Music] We're now going to Pang Gungan Island. It's known as the southernmost island of the Philippines before reaching the waters that are part of Saba Malaysia. We're riding a Tim Pil. This is one of them. local boat is quite big so we can all fit but don't be deceived because it can also go fast so hopefully we're 2 hours away

7:06 We've been at sea for two hours, the sun is shining but the weather is mild [Music] It took a while We've reached the farthest island of Tawi-Tawi [Music]

8:21 ah [Music] rest area means panggung in the Badjao language it's only 50 kro away from Semporna [Music] Saba from the beach you can see it clearly [Music] this used to be a stronghold of bandit groups like Abu SAF Panggung before the military took over in

9:06 2017 a detachment of Marines was assigned to the area Since then it has been home to more than t [Music] bad because they are far from health centers a medical center [Music] over the years the population in Panggung has grown rapidly are you surprised that there are more people who have no village I came

9:52 here only in 2021 it seems like there are only four houses here when that's what you're worried about Yes sir Because you children don't have vitamins they can't bathe there is no [Music] water health workers measured and weighed the [Music] children in Isla two out of every five come out malnourished and stunted Or

10:38 underweight and short. Is there a lot of nutrition here because sometimes they are here there is a lack of food the midwife examined a mother who is nearing the end of her pregnancy because the place is far away pregnant women in Pangan are going to see a doctor. Have you talked to the pregnant woman you chineked up earlier? It's been a few months since then sir. I told her after giving birth to get a planning card. Why? How many children does she have? It's serious, five because I said those are dangerous. Those five are high risk.

11:24 I told her didn't she go to the center for her other children she got pregnant with? She didn't just go here. If you ask her when she's already full, she's fine. Or I told her we're going to the birthing clinic. Yes. What did she say? Do you think they'll go there for the fifth time. Even the first one didn't give birth at home, maybe she's regretting it? travel because that's what it is [Music] it's possible to build a health center

12:11 here The assignee should be here too ters that's why It's a pity that the ones here are known as sailors or gypsies because they are used to moving from home to home they are also easily disturbed by trouble and [Music] conflict the badyaws are known as sailors or gypsies because they are used to moving from home they are also easily disturbed by trouble and conflict before there were

12:59 borders or boundaries drawn on the map that define the territories of different countries the badiaos were here before they could freely travel to the islands that are now separated from the Philippines Malaysia and Indonesia But their situation is much more difficult now and their usual lifestyle has been greatly affected [Music] it's been three years since

13:46 Joe decided to move to Panggung with his family it's said it's difficult to fish around Bungga the capital of Tawi-Tawi where they live then you thought about coming here because it's so far away we know there is a Marines Navy here and then you heard a lot of stories Sir, the place is quiet, mm. So I thought I'd just go here to look for life, sir. How did you find the Island? It seems like it's hard for me to use a map, I'll use my phone to find it, maybe we don't have it anymore, sir. We've already memorized these islands. Yes, we know that we're still small. We

14:32 know that. Yes, because our parents tell us stories. The Badiaos are known for their skill and knowledge of the ocean. But when it comes to education, it seems like they're falling behind. The Bajos have the lowest basic literacy in the entire country. It's estimated that only one in three people in this community can read and write. Joe has the highest education. What grade and what level did you finish? What did you finish? Fourth year, fourth year. You reached fourth year. That's

15:19 all I got there. Sir. I didn't finish it because I felt sorry for my parents. Because we were struggling so much that I didn't continue. I don't have an expensive phone. Also because of his ability to write and read. Joe was appointed as the second leader on the stage, but what about the next one? generation in their secluded paradise right now because there is no school on the island what we want to happen is that there is an island here so that our children can be tolerant sir how many children do you have now there are already 9 of them all they have not been able to study one is my eldest they studied

16:04 grade 1 that was before we were in the whole then when you moved here they also came along sir then it is no longer R not once a non-government organization built a small school on the stage but due to lack of support they were forced to close this was your classroom before or what it is not really being used it is not really being used years have passed before this was used about a year too much has passed That's what was taught here before basa sulat basa sulat what are the ABCDs bakada that was taught before

16:52 [Music] here morning hi as a part of their civilian military operations the Marines first who are stationed on the stage teach the community the class has a deeper meaning the [Music] soldiers are held as part of their civilian military the Mar mun who are stationed on the stage teach the community for Those who live on the island

17:41 closer to Saba have a deeper meaning. The soldiers conducted the class. They taught them basic readings. Our goal is to teach them the national song of our chosen land, sir, so that at least they can understand it and feel that they are still Filipinos. 6 7 8 9 10 Salam alikum. Joe introduced me to his neighbors. Why did you come here? It's

18:30 time for COVID, they say, because of COVID. They say that the poor have COVID in the country. They say that those who are looking for a living on the high seas can't buy anything. Don't you miss the schools and hospitals? Don't you hate that? They also miss the schools and hospitals. That's the only reason why they are there. They don't really look for a life. The poor there are really looking for a life. What about the one on your face? What is this? That's what we call borax. It's

19:17 not painful. What's wrong with it? Where did it come from? It's good because it's made of solder. It was down. Eating guava on the beach. What? rice mix it ah only women put men don't put it only women that's it Yes it should be Tina because if it's a man when he dives it will be removed ah men your face is burnt really burnt really black even though life on the stage is simple it's still colorful Literally

20:05 colorful because the houses on the island are according to the favorite color of the family that lives here blue red pink and there's another hero Hello kul What color is this what in your words in our words Tal talok want your favorite face talok what is it Yes seven times in Saba they say the residents of the stage go to buy things the things

20:51 you buy from sorna How do you buy them yonas they take a boat there they don't scold you p Malayan if they are just things they are not your money are they Ringgit Do you have Ringgit R wow purple is also what wallet [Music] Ah yes yes no Ringgit

21:39 yes that's why no not this is this This is what I want That's your color your money is mixed no some Ringgit some peso thank you Thank [Music] you at the house of and the relationship between the badiaos and our neighbors is still strong Salam alikum a situation that is further proven by the next family I met there you used to live in Malaysia Yes where in Malaysia Where is that mountain sorna in the archipelago region at the tip of the

22:24 Philippines other residents life is divided between the Philippines and [Music] Malaysia I talked to the family of jal maha the pregnant mother who was examined by the midwife because she did not go to the health center to give birth three of the couple's four children do not have a birth certificate only one has the eldest the eldest Why is the eldest registered they said she was born in Malaysia because she was born in a

23:11 Malaysian hospital Yes Malaysia sir in Malaysia Why do I live here in Malaysia they used to still live there Why did you move from Malaysia to here because everything is strictly forbidden But you and your husband Do you have a birth certificate where were you born no too But where were you born in simpur still they were born there never mind they grew up there they got married in Malaysia and others even remote communities of the

23:58 bad do not have birth certificates, identity documents, two, besides the eldest, the seven, the other eight children of Jo were also not registered, getting a birth certificate for you is that important, it is really necessary, sir, it is just for me, because if you do not have a birth certificate, it is difficult to go to school, it is difficult to get medical treatment from your neighbors, most of them here have not registered, they are no longer [Music], do you sometimes Jo, do you feel that you are not seen here? Oh, Sir, I

24:44 also felt that, you will not be seen because you are far away, [Music], the fact that the Philippines is an archipelago is considered a blessing, it has an extraordinary biodiversity in

25:35 terms of natural resources and is also a star in our tourism, when the Americans occupied the Philippines, they conducted a large-scale geodetic survey or initial mapping of our archipelago in [Music] 1901, they had 7,100 islands, then 7,000, [Music], the number later became 7,107, and this became the official number for a long time, but in 2016, many were surprised when

26:23 the number suddenly changed, the Philippines is said to be made up of 7641 Islands but more than improving our maps It is more important to see and hear the stories of the people living in the dots on the ocean Before Sangkay returned, I thought of a way Before Sangkay returned, I thought of a way The island where the family of the student I met,

27:08 TS, lives, it is beautiful here, it is clean, this is Buulo Islanding, a small community But if it wasn't on the stage, they have a detachment here, nothing [Applause] [Music] really Assalamualaikum, do you know father Mustafa? Yes, there, where is he? Oh, there, thank you, his Nana, his mother, here, their house is here. Yes, Ah, okay, let me go, thank you, our house. Are you

27:55 Tads' mother? Hello, Hello, good day, I am Atom Arao, we are from Manila. How many children do you have? Only 16. Yes, only a few of you are pregnant or pregnant. Yes, a growing family. Lilay lays in with Anesa. Anesa is Wari. Yes, this is Bia. Bia. This is Waran. What is Waran? Yes, this is Waran? What is your name? Rakia? Ria Russia Yes so 1 2 3 4 5 6 more Hello dad Who is this tapang tapang

28:42 just tapang or the beautiful name in Ran ran sir run run Who is this tapang or the one you are the brave one is here sir ah this is Shin Hello Shin what are you ah are you good at kung Fu more The bulbul on the stage is small there is no school clinic no government office and there are also no police or military presence the more Dal residents

29:31 here have nothing else to expect for daily needs but the one [Music] [Applause] one it po Who is this I sir ah this boy is with grandma because this yes me ah You are still small here then this is grandma sir my grandma sir Wow who took a picture of grandma mm Good thing you have something like this what is the beautiful picture Yes that's why it's a bit faded faded what is it

30:16 sir Tagal it's been a while no m Where is it here sir oh O MM the picture ah What Yes that's the graduation of grade 6 86 before growing up Mother Analyn's family suffered a tragedy because within a few days, her first, second and third children died one after the other. Those three were still small when they died. Wrong. They were still small. They were still babies. They were still babies. They were still like that. Ah, he's a little big now. What happened? He was sick. Sir. Do you know what

31:04 happened? He had a fever or a cold? Why didn't you take him to Tangkay for treatment? There's nothing there yet. Sir. It's hard now. There's no engine yet. There's no boat yet. Behind their house is the small cemetery on the island. Tads' siblings are lying there that he never knew. It's just a month. January is December. This is the eldest. This is the name. Yes, he's a boy. The

31:50 next one is a girl. The next one is a girl. Then do you remember when they were born? Sir. December, December, December, January, because they were short of money. Only three of the siblings are studying at Sit Tangkay. One of those who were forced to stop was 10-year-old Lilay. She is now helping the family earn a living. fish moaning her little hands are already at

32:36 work Lilay can't do it anymore what's so hard about working here what's the point of going to school [Music] Lay What grade did you reach only grade 3 where did you study before in Tangkay mm why did you stop studying Pat mangod I said he's his brother's caregiver because his parents are not here at home to take care of the youngest brother Ah so you're helping

33:21 your parents you're still little Yes, you're helping do you know how to write can you write your name MM mm you've turned maroon you can read Not much yet do you have friends there Tangkay Do you still remember who they are eal who else Johnny m your friends do you miss them You haven't seen them again They haven't visited here no So what are you doing here today arw what's up when your sister finishes

34:07 school do you think maybe you can study Paya is lazy I'm going to school you're a little bit of a hoe What's your hometown course he wants to go to school after brother Yung What is tads? Yes, they say it's to make their lives easier. After that, they say they want to be teachers. What they want is a dream. Teacher Lilay Lilay. You'll be a teacher. Be a teacher here in Bulbul because there's nothing here. There's no school. [Music]

35:04 How can those living in remote islands be given enough attention and opportunities? The local government is gradually strengthening their services and facilities. Their priority now is health. It's really difficult. The patient's illness should go to Bungga. Not all of our patients can afford it. If we build this hospital first, it's not a bit. Maybe there will be a problem

35:51 with health, but they also say that the low birth registration is a big challenge for them, particularly among the bw group. Some of our countrymen only register when it's necessary for their children to study. For example, those who haven't studied or haven't studied at all. They don't understand what the benefits of just holding a birth certificate are. They also face great danger. They can become stateless or lose their state. As

36:39 Filipinos or any nationality, their lifestyle is itinerant. They travel to different areas, explained social mobilizer Emran, the risk of statelessness increases if successive generations do not register. As our surveys say, why do we still give birth? Our grandparents did not have any, and there is still a race of statelessness though. They still have a link to the Philippines, they are here in the Philippines. But because of their continuous practice of not having a birth certificate, they can become stateless because they do not have a strong identification. They are not registered in the Philippines. But B In addition to explaining the importance of birth

37:27 registration, it should also support the livelihoods of those in remote communities. It is also very difficult to think about how they will earn money in this area because they are far from each other. The islands are small. When it comes to the project, sustainability is a big question. If we give this to them, that's why we are doing it. First profiling. Then what are the available resources from that competencies and available resources? What is the livelihood support that we can [Music] do? What is your dream for

38:16 your family ? I also want my dream to be happy for my family. Then what do I have? Every day someone comes in to call us for money or not so much? [Music] I am hungry. Are there any of you who have graduated from Bulbul? There are probably four. So you want to be the next one. Yes, I hope not. Yes, I want a good, good life for those

39:05 [Music] who live in remote areas. They also serve as administrators and guardians in the corners of our country. If only they are given enough opportunity and attention, their courage and perseverance will be there. can contribute more to our country than just being dots in our [Music]

39:52 laod I am our owner Good afternoon [Music] k [Music]