24 Oras: Mga Badjao, napanatili ang kanilang sinaunang kultura at pamumuhay

Overview

The segment reports that in Tawi-Tawi—especially around the islands near Malaysia—an ancient, sea-centered culture of the Badjao/Sama people has remained largely intact despite modern life. Their lifestyle is built around the ocean, including fishing, trade/barter facilitated by ships, and traditional boat-making.

Key Points

• Long-standing shipbuilding tradition (centuries old)

  • Ship construction in Tawi-Tawi is described as dating back to the time of the sultans.
  • Skills are passed down within families, rather than learned through formal plans or tools.

• Wooden boat craftsmanship

  • Boats—such as lansa—are still made from wood.
  • The structures are described as exceptionally large (compared to a four-story height) and capable of carrying many people.
  • Large logs are carved and shaped manually.
  • Traditional waterproofing is maintained using alketran-coated yarn.

• Building without drawings or specialized equipment

  • Builders rely on knowledge inherited from parents.
  • Construction is carried out with detailed know-how, even without blueprints, drawings, or heavy machinery.

• Badjao life and knowledge centered on the sea

  • On farthest islands such as Panguan / Malamano(k) (described as the country’s furthest island before Malaysia), many Badjao/Sama reportedly track life by the sea rather than by calendars—some do not know their age.
  • Education is portrayed as limited, with a belief that survival depends mainly on ocean-based knowledge.

• Boats as homes and livelihoods through trade

  • Their boats function as homes on the water.
  • Livelihood includes selling sea-related products (such as shells) and participating in barter/sales to meet daily needs, including seafood they eat.

• Threat of modernization and possible change

  • The report notes that in the future, ferries associated with Manged may be replaced by steel and fiberglass vessels.
  • It also suggests that Badjao youth may gain access to schooling if government public services reach their communities.

Urgency and Framing

The segment presents documenting and viewing this traditional way of life as urgent—before it is fully lost to time and change.

Presenters / Contributors

• Chino Gasto