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BADJAO UPDATE WELCOME TO THE BADJAO TRIBAL WOLRD Let us journey together over the past months and revisit the site in Alaska, Mambaling, Cebu City. you last heard from the Tribe in September 2019. October 2019 - April 2020

OOCCTTOOBBEERR October began with a monthly team meeting. This was followed by parents meeting in preparation for the mid-year student’s evaluation. The focused group for this evaluation is the college students who will be enrolling for the next semester of classes and those high school students who are under From left to right: Mr. JulitoTajanlangit, IP focal person of observation because of the DSWD, Jessica Marlin, a parent Leader, and Jun of PantawidPamilyang their poor attendance in Pilipino of the DSWD. school and irregular attendance with the Center activities. Students evaluation is a regular program of the Center to monitor the performance of the students for both academic and extracurricular activities Another highlight is the celebration of the Indigenous Peoples month. This is a regional celebration organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Vll, PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This is the 4th year that the Badjao community participated in the said event. One of the many things that happen was the model community competition. Criteria was set by the Department based on the community’s active participation on the government’s campaign about combating poverty. For the 4th time joining the competition, the Badjao Community won 1st place this year. The community leaders were very happy for they felt that their hard work was rewarded. Congratulations leaders and keep up the good work! On the 15th of October, Tommy Daomani, our first License Social Worker took oath. It is the community’s joy and pride to have another professional in the area, Tommy is our 17th college graduate. 1

THE LEADERS IN THE PRACTICING THEIR MIDDLE OF A COMPUTATION DISCUSSION. Our community Livelihood leaders It was incorporated on the leadership continued to pushed through the inputs. A water-dance therapy was work in formulating their own conducted too. It was seen that it Bylaws, policies and guidelines for created a much calming way of their livelihood association program. building relationship among the youth Another 3 days program was set on especially they can work much better the 17th to the 19th of October. The when they are in waters. formulation of these guidelines seems very slow yet very satisfying and rewarding. The leaders were able to formulate, understand and own what they were working for. The Youth Council on the other hand A PROMISE TO HOLD TRUST ON TO EACH OTHER ACTIVITY had their team building last October 23-25. It was held in Hagnaya Beach Resort, Hagnaya San Remegio Cebu. A perfect place for team building activities which provides various amenities for SELF-EXPRESSION different activities that suites the group’s need. This year the Youth Council had dance therapy workshop. 2

NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR November starts with the OPENING RITUAL preparation of 2 big events joined KINTARIYA SHARED HER LIFE EXPERIENCE RAISING HER together, the celebration of CHILDREN IN THE CITY Indigenous Peoples Day and Tribal WHEN THE ELDERS SHARE WATER AS A BLESSING THAT Day. The community leaders, STRENGTHEN Parent leaders, youth leaders and THEIR BOND AS A COMMUNITY teachers worked hand in hand to CULTURAL DANCE PERFORMANCE BY THE CHIEFTAIN FELICITO ASAMSA showcase the Tribe’s culture and AND ANALIZA BASARE practices. 3 The celebration on the 7th of November started with a thanks giving ritual officiated by the community emmam (a person who conducts spiritual activities) and were attended by the chieftains and elders of the community. Various food was offered, Panyam (rice cake), and yellow rice which is especially cooked for the occasion. After the ceremony, sharing of their experiences followed. They talk about how they come to Cebu City, how drastic their life change and how they survived in the middle of a very crowded city. It was a very good exchange of ideas, experiences, hardships and victories.Thefood then was given away to the elders. Singing and dancing followed. How lovely to see the elders perform live singing and dancing. The swaying of their hips, the movement of their shoulders and the way their hands swing was very well coordinated. This shows how rich the culture of the Badjaos are!

An exhibit was also displayed for A GROUP PICTURE TAKEN AFTER THE MEETING. the whole day. The Youth Council help explained to their fellow PICTURE students and to our guests the AFTER THE ACTIVITY WITH THE NANO NAGLE TEACHERS, richness of their culture and the significant people behind the CPMS FAMILY, MISS MARIVIC AND strong community they have now. FATHER LORETO JACQUE. Food packs were served after the activity courtesy of the THE LEADERS DOING THEIR COMMUNITY LIVELIHOOD Presentation of the Blessed Virgin ASSESSMENT Mary Sisters and the Department Social Welfare and Development- 4 Social Technology Unit. After the big community celebration, evaluation of the college students followed. A total of 7 students including the 2 newly accepted in the program will be enrolling this semester. Michelle Garzon, the 4th year Social work student is due to graduate in March. The rest are doing well in school as shown on their respective report cards. On the 14 of November, the Team was invited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development- Standards Bureau, to attend the social orientation on Regulatory Services program. That is the procurement and issuance of license to institutions providing social services. It is recommended by the department to secure license to operate in order to have proper monitoring of

the services given to the people and at the same time access the funds made available by the department. It was a good meeting that opens many doors for Centers such as Nano Nagle Center. A one-day training with Father Loreto Jacque followed. It was about Dreams. How it affects us and how we deal with it in relation to our day to day life activities. Aside from interpreting dreams, another focus of the activity is working together as a group and understanding individual differences. It was a day of fun and reflections. Our gratitude to Miss Marivic Bathan of Children’s Paradise Montessori School for always inviting our teachers in their Development Programs. The Department of Agriculture, Regional Office, conducted a consultation meeting with the Indigenous Peoples group in Cebu on the 18th and 19th of November. It was attended by the Chieftain and selected leaders of the tribe. The department showed them various alternative livelihood programs suitable to their lifestyle. At the end of the consultation meeting, they agreed to meet again for the things they offered was more likely for farming than fishing. The team the went to Negros on the 19th to the 23rd of November. This is for the celebration of the Presentation Sisters’ Feast Day. The trip from Cebu to Negros was a little exciting this time because for some teachers, it was their first time to travel by plane! We were more than lucky because we were seated next to the windows. Such a wonderful journey for the Team. As soon as the Team got settled in, they began vising the two Presentation kinder schools in Negros. They started at the Nano Nagle Center Binalbagan then Nano Nagle Center Himamaylan.  It gave the teachers a wider picture of the Presentation kinder schools, the different methods used and techniques in teaching. Theday ends with the teachers exhausted and satisfied. The next day is scheduled for a community visit in one of the Indigenous Community’s in Negros, the Ati Tribe. The Tribe is located nearly 2hours away from the town. They have a big land area allocated for them by the government. The peace and cleanliness of the community surprised as for we all come from a very noisy and a bit cluttered City. We were received at the house they called “School for the Living Tradition”. It has nearly all the necessary things you need to know about the ATI. How they come to the place, their organizational structures, their means of living (which is mostly weaving) and their traditional medicines. 5

It felt so good to see people coming in and out freely of the house, doing their weaving together in that place. We spent almost the whole day talking to the people, trying to do the weaving ourselves and learning some techniques on how they were able to come up with the beautiful idea in preserving their culture. After that we went home very much inspired to put up one of our own for the Badjao Tribe. we are very thankful to Mr. Pablito Gonsalez, the IP focal in Negros for arranging a wonderful visit to the community. Everyday in Negros brings surprises. THE TEACHERS IN From the plane ride to climbing SESSION WITH MRS. mountains and then settling back again to Nano Nagle Center in DEMEGELIO Binalbagan for a very rare occasion of gathering together the teachers PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH THE of the 3 Nano Nagle Centers. The NANO NAGLE TEACHERS FROM 3 day’s activity was facilitated by Mrs. DIFFERENT AREAS: BINALBAGAN, Demegelio. It was a day of fun that HIMAMAYLAN AND CEBU, MRS. allowed the teachers to get to know each better and to work together for DEMEGELIO AND SISTER the betterment of the Presentation JULY, SISTER MILDRED AND SISTER Sisters Ministry. We recommend to do it again more often. VICVIC The day ends with the signature lantern walk to honor Nano’s work. Such a wonderful experience to be participating in one of the biggest events in the celebration of the Feast Day! 6

Finally, the grand celebration come where everybody from the Presentation ministry come together. Each group prepared a special number. And of course, the cultural dance from the Badjao teachers added much color to the celebration. It was indeed a happy celebration for their Feast Day. Congratulations to THE LANTERN WALK WITH SITER MILDRED AND all who have put in much SISTER JULY effort in making the Presentation Feast day a successful one. We also thank every one for giving our teachers an experience of a lifetime. DANCE PERFORMANCE BY THE TEACHERS. The Negros experience was sealed with a day in Campuestuhan, a highland resort in Negros where you can enjoy a wave pool, bubbles and a walk in a park. The Team was able to unwind, relax and be with each other for one day without thinking work, just pure relaxation. Thus, the danger of children is very high. This is the reason why we needed to educate the parents and the youth the positive and negative impact of accessing the internet. 7

About 90% of the participants do not know the real danger when they allow their children to use the internet alone. The youth on the other hand are very careless about posting their photos and personal information online. After sessions, they went home with a realization of guarding the children for possible danger online. Another session is set scheduled in December. The whole month of November was dedicated to celebrate Children’s Month.  The Nano Nagle Center was invited to participate the culmination program on the 28th. This was organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Services. It was a whole day program of children’s activities all over Cebu. 12 children from the Badjao Community went with the teachers to perform in the said event. In line with the Children’s month celebration, the Center organized a Children’s Festival on the 29th. This is to give the Badjao children a much bigger opportunity to be with other children. It was a day of fun while learning. Activities includes storytelling, painting, local games and cultural and modern dance. Medium of instruction for all the activities used were in Sama language. Many thanks to the Badjao Youth Council who helped us in facilitating the activities. 8

DDEECCEEMMBBEERR A UNIFIED RITUAL CONDUCTED BEFORE THE CATHOLIC MASS. PHOTO TAKEN AFTER THE EVENT WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES APOSTOLATE WORKERS, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES LEADER, PRIEST, NUN, AND CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS. The livelihood officers and selected Creating linkages is one way of making the program in the Badjao members continued with their work Community a successful one. The Episcopal Commission on Indigenous on the policies and guidelines for Peoples organized another venue for dialogue between Catholic Church their association. Both sessions were Leaders and Indigenous Peoples Leaders in the country. It was a 2 solely for practice and hand on days meeting in Manila. The De La Salle University hosted the event. activities. They worked very hard The objective of the dialogue was for the Catholic Church and the practicing their books and Indigenous Peoples group to talk computation, mastering the guidelines and the By Laws by heart. This is in preparation for the upcoming General Assembly in March. The Livelihood Association has 112 members. 9

and where they can meet halfway to help each other in terms of spirituality. It was seen by the IP group that their practices and rituals are considered demonic beliefs by the church. It was a venue of comprehensive explanation of how helpful the rituals in the IP communities are and that it is already part of them. The church needs to understand and not judge them with what they do. Most importantly, it was an opportunity for IPs to be with the church without talking about converting them to Christianity. The most awaited part of the year has come, Birthdays For All! Children looked forward to celebrating their birthdays together. Birthdays for all is a celebration organized by the Nano Nagle Center to give the children an opportunity to experience real birthday celebration. Activities includes an experiential going around the globe for certain number of years while other children helped them count the years that marked the birthdate, party games, singing together a happy birthday song, blowing their own candles, having party bags, balloons, a piece of cupcake and food pack which has rice and fried chicken in it. The Badjaos don’t celebrate birthdays at home. They don’t give much attention to this kind of celebration and they don’t have the opportunity to hold one for their children. 10

Birthdays for All is celebrated in lieu of the usual Christmas party which they don’t celebrate either because they are not Christians. This year we added another flavor to our celebration. We found a real-life Santa Claus to the party! Some were afraid but others were too excited to meet Santa. The Talking Santa! And finally, a special video message from our friends from SERVE volunteers added a dramatic effect as we played the video on the big screen. It was one of the best birthday celebrations ever! We thank Brother Ian of the Christian Brothers for taking time to be with us on our special day, our SERVE friends for supporting us always in our activities and to the whole Badjao community for allowing us to conduct an activity like this for their children. Solidarity Gathering is an occasion where people/groups that helped in the attainment and success of the Badjao Development Programs come together. This happens every December of each year. the youth leaders, community leaders, students and partner government agencies come together on the 14th of December. This the Nano Nagle Center’s way of thanking all of them in doing their very best to help in every activity we have in the area. SISTER JOY GIVING HER OPENING REMARKS MISS HAZEL TORREFIEL OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 11

THE SEARCH FOR THE BADJAO YOUTH AMBASSADORS THE TEAMS’ PERFORMANCE WITH BROTHER IAN OF THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH THE PARENT LEADERS THE WINNERS OF THE GAMES WITH SANTA CLAUS THE GRAND GROUP PICTURE! 12

JJAANNUUAARRYY January went like a flash. Everybody was busy about many different things. The students taking NCll exams, teachers deliberating the students’ performance for the whole year for their promotional status, the community preparing for the upcoming February project. This project will be our first different venture with the Rise Above Foundation Cebu. If you recall, we partnered with them for the Dental Care of the Tribe. this time they are proposing to set up a computer laboratory for the school with a functional internet connection that they will pay for 2years. We are all excited and afraid at the same time. Excited because the students will finally get the chance to have a computer to themselves without having to wait for hours to get their turns. We are afraid because we are not so sure if we could keep up with the maintenance of having many computers. Our area is very near the sea, the salty air is not good for technical equipment as what happened to our own in the Center, the dust is also one of the threats in terms of maintenance. So, we presented this in one of the many meetings with the Rise Above Foundation director Mr. Flemming Hansen. As a result, another project was proposed: cementing the grounds to lessen dust. The Community seem to be in agreement to this new proposal. It will not only lessen dust but also save the children from playing in the puddle during rainy season. This among the many regular happenings during the month occupies the month of January. MEETING WITH THE COMMUNITY MEETING WITH THE YOUTH LEADERS LEADERS 13

FFEEBBRRUUAARRYY PICTURE OF THE VOLUNTEERS The volunteers from Rise Above Foundations Cebu arrived on February 3. They are from the United States of America. Some of them represents the Developing World Communities, Lenovo, and Softchoice. They’ll be working with us for 2weeks. The plan of work was: setting up the computer laboratory, teacher training, computer sessions with the students, painting, and cementing the grounds. BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF THE ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED: PREPARATION FOR THE BIG WORK. 14

DIGGING THE GROUNDS FOR COMPUTER SESSION 1 DRAINAGE THANKSGIVING CEREMONY COMPUTER SESSION WITH OF THE NEWLY CEMENTED THE STUDENTS GROUND We are very thankful to Mr. Flemming and Mrs. Elizabeth of Rise Above Foundation for choosing the Nano Nagle Center to be the beneficiary of their project this year. The computer laboratory is very helpful for the students in making their assignments and other school work, the school supplies, the slippers for the kinder children, and the cemented grounds. This would allow the children to play and roam around conveniently. It feels like Christmas in February! 15

MMAARRCCHH A GROUP PICTURE TAKEN AFTER THE DISTRIBUTION. GRACELYN AND SHERNALYN SHOWING OFF THEIR SHARE OF GRAPES. March starts with the preparation of the record since the start of full meal livelihood officers for the upcoming feeding programs. General Assembly. The biggest agenda of the assembly is the presentation and As an annual activity in the community thorough explanation of the crafted with the Sacred Heart School for Girls, Constitution and bylaws of the they are scheduled to hold another association. Proper guidelines will also be Dialogue with Life again in the area. But presented during the assembly.  The because of the spread of the corona assembly was supposedly scheduled in virus, the students were advised not to February but it was moved to the end of go. It was a sad news for the families as March for the consideration of the they always look forward to the activity.  members who are out of town to sell So instead of having a dialogue, the pearls. teachers of Sacred Heart brought down the goods specially packed by the Another full meal feeding program students to the Badjao Community. happened on the 4th of March. The Having a dialogue and just receiving the children were very excited because each goods are not the same but still the feeding session they will be able to taste Badjaos are very thankful for the new dish and new fruit. This time, grapes groceries provided to is served. The weight of the children them. improved as shown in the teachers'  16

AAPPRRIILL The spread of Corona Virus in the City Another campaign is the Presentation escalates. People are not allowed to go Sisters initiated distribution of rice and out; schools and other establishments are other necessary groceries for the Badjaos closed. This brought fear that causes big in partnership with SERVE. Procurement of problem to the community as they live on goods was very difficult because the a daily basis. They don’t have savings that movement of people in Cebu City was they could use for days like this. They don’t very limited. Finally, on April 3, 2020, the understand fully what they are afraid of. Sisters were able to deliver the goods to To aid the problem at hand, Nano Nagle the community. They were assisted by the Teachers together with the Badjao Youth Armed Forces of the Philippines from Council conducted a campaign on what Central command to ensure the safety of to do and what not to do during the time the distribution. The teachers, community of pandemic. Posters were put up in the leaders and youth council assisted in the community and are translated in their own distribution of relief goods to 415 families. language. Each family received 10 kilograms rice, 1kilogram sugar, 1 pack coffee (48 sticks) and 8 canned goods. BELOW ARE THE PHOTOS OF THE DISTRIBUTION 17

This gives so much happiness to the Cebuanos know that the Badjaos are people in the community for they not just the beggars they saw on the have suffered greatly due to streets. They are certain group of immobility brought by Corona Virus. people with a very rich culture of their own and that they need their On April 10, 2020, 2 members of our understanding and acceptance even Team, Venerva and Sister Mildred if they speak different dialect, wear joined the Archiodese of Cebu for distinct tribal clothing, and sing and Siete Palabras. Both of them talked dance to their own music. It was the about the Badjao Tribe, how they first time the Badjaos get invited to come to join the Cebuano people, such activity and we are hopeful the discrimination and their way of that this will not be the last. surviving. The also talked about the Presentation Sisters’ Ministry in the community which helped the Badjao greatly in understanding the way of the people in Cebu and vise versa. This was an opportunity to let the  18

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On April 10, 2020 (Good Friday), two members of the NNCCLC Team, Teacher Venerva and Sister Mildred joined the Archdiocese of Cebu for the Siete Palabras 2020 (Seven Last Words). This is in connection withthis year’s celebration of the Year of Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue and Indigenous Peoples in the Philippine with the Theme: Dialogue Towards Harmony. Prior to this Good Friday event, the Nano Nagle Child Care & Learning Center and the Badjao Community were invited to have a representation for the reflectionof the Siete Palabras (Seven Last Words) about the third words of Jesus, …\"Woman, behold your son!\" (John 19:26-27). The sub-theme was the recognizing the dignity and voice of the indigenous peoples and children. Then, the community wasvisited by the Diocesan Priest, Rev. Fr. Glen Guanzon for the finalization of the said Good Friday event. The sharing of the reflection based on the theme and sub-theme included the introduction of Sr. Mildred & Teacher Venerva….“Who are the Presentation Sisters and how they started their Badjao ministry in Cebu up to the present. The major goal is to educate the Badjaos inorder for them to be recognized and have a voice in the society. At the same time, preserving their culture and traditions.” For Teacher Venerva, how she started as a scholar of the Presentation Sisters and how she continued her studies despite of the difficulties/ challenges in the school- the language and bullying. Her struggles continued when she got married at early age following their culture and tradition but she decided to finish her studies. The shared challenges encountered by the sisters in ministering the Badjao community with the people/ Cebuanos around the area and in the city were enlightenment/ awakening to those who did not know the reality of the life of the Badjaos whom they knew as beggars on the streets. But because of the Presentation Sisters, they were educated & able to preserve their identity asa tribe/ community with a very rich culture of their own. They have their own dialect- Sama Badjau and they are talented & creative with their dances and songs. The discrimination and bullying especially in the schools gradually stopped. The theme of the Siete Palabras, “Dialogue Towards Harmony” was an eye opener to the Church & the people in Cebu as to what/ how they have known the Badjaos at the present. It was a reflective & creativeway to express the appeal of Teacher Venerva and Sr. Mildred to erase the biases & prejudices among them, instead, the respect, love, trust and unity as one people of God/ Creator/ Tuhan would always prevail. The hope for a brighter future of the Badjaos! 19