Maluso Bajaus celebrate Ongka-Ongka

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1421480397813/maluso-bajaus-celebrate-ongka-ongka-
• Wednesday, November 30, 2016

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Nov 29 (PIA) – For the 12th year, the Bajaus of Maluso celebrates Ongka-Ongka, a festival of life and culture of one of the many colorful tribal peoples in southern Philippines.

Ongka is a Bajau term that means play, celebration, or festival, which started in 2004 to highlight the life and culture of the vulnerable tribal people in the south.

The annual observance is an initiative of the Claret Samal Foundation Inc. ran by the Claretian Missionary Fathers of the Philippines, a Catholic Religious Clergy that helps in the emancipation and protection of the identity of the Bajaus as a people amidst the harsh and challenging realities in the social, political, economic, spiritual, and cultural realms of the present world.

This year’s celebration, usually held on the third week of November based on a Townsite Barangay ordinance is centered on the theme, “Bajau Kauman: Lingka’h ma pag ayad ma lahat tudjo kasanyangan maka kasambuhan (Komunidad ng Bajau: Hakbang sa pagkalinga sa kalikasan tungo sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran)”

The Philippine Information Agency in Basilan was resource person for climate change adaptation at the 16th Bajau Development Forum held on the second day of the festival on Nov 26. Though difficult, PIA has encouraged the Bajaus to start building permanent and stronger homes up shore, higher to protect them from sea/storm surges with the impending sea level rise due to the changing climate.

However, the Bajaus are pleading for support from authorities to help them adapt to the “new normal” of the environment.

“Natatakot po kami, pero sino at saan po kami hihingi ng tulong (We are afraid, but to whom and where can we ask for help),” a Bajau leader said.

Many of the Bajaus earn less and are dependent on the harvest of the seas. With climate change, their livelihood may be compromised and pin them deeper into poverty.

The Claret Samal Foundation hopes that the local government of Maluso could give more attention to the plight of the Bajaus as they contribute to the local economy.

The Foundation has been lobbying for the municipal council to adopt and institutionalize the celebration of Ongka-Ongka. But for several months now, the municipal council is yet to respond to the request. Currently, the Ongka-Ongka celebration held every third month of November of every year takes effect only by virtue of a barangay ordinance.

The Bajaus of Maluso continue to struggle for recognition even from the local government. With climate change, the plight of the Bajaus are becoming more and more challenging that they themselves must start to respond and maybe depend on themselves and each other for protection and help when disaster happens.

The three-day celebration was marked with traditional games, dances, and music competitions. A mangrove planting was also held on the third day to answer the call of strengthening coastal communities in view of climate change. (ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan)