badjao: look at my child and pay me

On board a passenger jeepney going to my doctor yesterday, there came a shabby man, distributing white envelopes to us passengers. The packets were a little crumpled and obviously used many times. Written on the surface of each is this (already interpreted from Filipino language): “We are Badjaos asking for a meager help from all of you.” He waited awhile before gathering back his collections, and got off immediately right after.

The scenario is never new to me. I have numberless encounters with them even in the central business district where I work, where many people do. Some of them sing and dance in exchange of alms. What’s triggering more that time was that man beggar, carrying an infant, a very innocent less-than-a-year old child. I have a little niece (and even if I don’t, I still have a heart for children) and so my heart broke sore that moment. I felt no guilt at all for not giving alms because as far as I see him, I believe he can stretch a little of his arms and feet to find a more decent work to support his family. Isn’t it a very shameful approach to use a poor child to attract sympathy from others to feed yourself?

I hope the government pays good and strict attention to this. Otherwise, the country is grooming another set of uneducated population, soon to blame the government for not helping them live a normal life.

Posted in: making sense of life,personal perspectives