Please do not feed the badjao in Dgte

[Bandit]

The beggars are a major headache here. Giving them money or food - any amount - will just encourage more of them to come.

There are rumors they give a major portion of a days donations to some sort of boss. Even if they don't, they shouldn't be dragging babies with them pestering anyone and everyone for something free.

[neil domaille]

hi all, yep you are 100%spot on , i hate going to town for that reason u have to keep on the move or someone wants to sell u fake callis tablets on has there hand out.it would be nice to just stand and relax . i must admit i have been guilty of giving to old folk. as for the rest they can get a hair cut n get a job. its worse around the square in cebu regards neil

[Pedro]

There was one young girl who was always begging in the streets around Lee Plaza and I really pityed her but its true, just like with feeding a stray the hungry animal will stay but if you do not feed it, it will move on. Only part I still have difficulty with because I am unaware of such a place is being able to recommend something such as a soup kitchen or shelter for them to go. I believe if you refer them to a shelter and they chose not to go then they are no longer deserving of any monitary assistance.

[Bandit]

Be sure and pass the word around to other local expats, and any newbies coming into town. As far as I'm concerned this subject should be a stickie on this forum

[cardijo]

They would not bother us if "modern society" and governments would let them live where they lived since hundreds of years. But for whatever reason, it is not possible, for them anymore, to prowl around between countries without being registered in a computer and no papers. They are not the only indigenous peoples who cannot adjust to our lifestyle. Witch means, there is no place for them anymore and they are doomed to die.



Badjao
Existensis » Blog Archive » Badjao : Sama Dilaut of Tawi-Tawi Sea Gypsies

to Pedro: To refer to this people as stray animals is quite something. As you can read in the links above, they managed their lives quiet well, until people like you and me, helped with our lifestyle to destroy their world

[Rhoody]

??? sticky ???

Mate, that is pretty much common sense. What do you expect from a small town in a 3rd world country with very poor people in the surrounding areas and islands.

it's worse around a train-station and several areas in a medium-sized city in the "1st" world.

It's also pretty easy to separate the beggars from Mindanao from the Duma-kids who really need help.

I don't know how long some posters are already staying in Dumaguete (I don't use the word "living" by purpose) but it's also very easy to deal with the "vendor-mafia" from other areas and islands.

anyway, attached my parts of my peanut-vendor department,

they are from Dumaguete and Dauin (plus some 50 more kids),
they all go to school,
they all need to earn most of the money with any kind of selling, begging singing, dancing ....and that each afternoon/evening after 8 hrs. school
they need help with school supply, cloth, food andandand

... and I can promise that they will go to school in May again as there are also many people who understand what living in a poor development country means.

The second picture are Kids from Parola (Manila-slums) who are not that lucky and can't even afford a simple t-shirt.

Anyway your idea with a post for newbies is great. We (not me alone) are about to write an article who might give a bit an support to people who are not aware what to expect when leaving the expat-castle in the mountains or the beach.

Out for begging

Rhoody

[itzdabiz]

I think compassion is the feeling you people are lacking....there needs to be a paradigm shift in the thinking of people who have more than others. My mother is a missionary in the Dumaguete and the biggest part of her work there is ministering to the street kids - they are so happy to just get a little piece of candy and a prayer - simple things that most children take for granted. Does it matter what a "beggar" uses the money for? If you have it Jesus said to give it away to those in need - judgment will come from God not us mere humans. I've also been on the streets and had nothing at times in my life and thank God I never went without for long - even when I had only a few dollars to my name and someone asked for some money I found that when I shared what I had I was blessed with even more to share. Give and you shall receive - it is so true. Too bad many people do not understand this simple concept - try looking at things through someone else's eyes and you will gain a new understanding.

Peace

[derivative_guru]

Hi itzbadiz,

I've gotta side with Bandit, Pedro, Rhoody, et al on this one. I can definitely see how someone who has never lived in the Philippines would not understand the reaction of those who do live here toward the Badjao. Before I lived here and maybe even for awhile after I moved here, I would have seen their comments as uncompassionate.

However, through experience, I have learned that the culture of the Badjao is one that does not work nor create anything. Theirs is a culture of begging, stealing and terrorizing. They have no loyalty nor respect for the people or places they pass through. They do not speak English, Tagalog nor Bisaya and do not attempt to learn any in order to communicate with the local populations...they are nomadic thieves and beggars, sometimes terrorists. They only come to DGT, Cebu, CDO, Manila, etc. in order to beg and steal and yes, some of those funds do support extremist Islamic groups who bomb innocent civilians as occurred in Iligan a few months ago. I do not believe in blaming children for the sins of their parents, however, this culture gets imbued in these kids very early on. Even as babies they are used for the purpose of begging.

In 3 years of living here, we have had problems of mugging (or attempted mugging) only twice...both times it was Badjao children. Once in Cebu and once in Dumaguete. I don't believe in giving money to anyone, I give food or candies...however, I do confess my generous hand recoils upon the sight of the Badjao...I would prefer to see them pass on to other pastures.

[Rhoody]

DG, I am a lucky guy as I only had 1 attempt when "someone tried to break into my house"...

but that's exactly where it gets ridiculous. The attempt, was while we had the 70plus street-kids at the party in Dauin (report and pictures here: Merry christmas to the Kids )

Neighbors caught x-mas choral-singer (a quite religious activity) trying to break into my house.

The only time the crime-rate goes down in the whole PI is when Manny Paquiao tries to destroy the face of his opponent for lifetime.

Maybe there is need for more professional boxing - trainers than for prayers and x-mas-chorals.

gone singing...

Rhoody

Disclaimer for sensible readers: The post above is with "tongue in cheek" and not mend to force a religious discussion in any way. All mentioned events shall be considered as a unlucky coincident.

[neil domaille]

to each his own itzbadiz we give to our church and my wife takes lunch to a small school up in the mountains each tuesday , not much i know but we try . i still dont like being asked for money from kids who are later seen with a smoke hanging out of their mouth. and swear at u when. u say no. if you want to build a society of people who think the world owes them keep it up. god bless neil