March 10, 2012- Learning Visit: Bajau Community

The Bajau Community

Our visit to the Bajau community allowed me to witness a society of people who despite their poverty have maintained their very rich culture. I was impressed by how much the community has improved from their earliest settlement. My prejudice and first impression was immediately rectified by my interactions with the leaders, by their friendly gestures and by that evident effort on the part of the Bajaus whose aspiration is for their lives to become better. When the leaders presented their trademark dance, I was captivated by how graceful and sincere they were in dancing. I gladly joined them with the rest of the group. The steppings looked simple, but when I tried to execute them, I couldn’t do them as gracefully as did the Bajaus.

Hearing about the housing project of the Bajaus, I could see a lot of promise in it. I was glad to hear that the design of the project was done by my fellow Architecture schoolmates from the University of San Carlos. Maybe, soon, I can help, too.

One of the Bajau leaders presenting their growing vegetables.

I was very much fascinated by the culture of the Bajaus and how it differs so much from our culture. That despite the rapid modernization of the world outside their circle, they remain steadfastly immersed in their culture. It is interesting that the average age of marriage is at age 15 or 16 and how the boy has to prove his love by giving dowry to the girl’s family.

The one thing I learned from the Bajaus if that if there’s a will, there’s always a way. I can see in the eyes of the women leaders that determination to live a better life.

In my own way, I hope I’ll find my niche on how I can be of help to them.