CAWA-CAWA, BOULEVARD: Beautiful seaside turns to evacuation center

The beautiful and visited Cawa-Cawa Boulevard is now an evacuation center with hundreds of tents for the Badjao evacuees. Their homes were wrecked and destroyed by the siege between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the government troops. (Photo by Hannah Blanco)

On September 9, 2013 an unexpected event happened in the city of Zamboanga. Armed men of the MNLF were able to get in the city. Classes were suspended. Reports stated that the MNLF wanted to hoist their flag at the city hall and wanted to take parts of Zamboanga for their planned of establishing a new government here in Mindanao.

The government did not approved their plan and so a war broke out between the two parties. People were running here and there after hearing gunshots. Some homes were burn down by the MNLF. Thousands of people evacuated their homes for safety. They were displaced to different evacuation centers. One of those who flee their homes, the Badjaos chose to live in Cawa-Cawa, Boulevard. According to them, they cannot live in places that are far away from the water because they are most at home when they are near the sea.

The government respected their decision and supported them. Tents were given to them were five to six persons can fit inside. They were able to received donations from different people and government agencies.

The Cawa-Cawa Boulevard which is one of the tourist spot in Zamboanga City is now their home.

(Above)The tents of evacuees aligned over between the street and the sea.

(Below) A peek inside the house of an evacuee.

(Photo by: Hannah Blanco)

(Left Photo) A middle-aged woman is seen happily getting water from a water hose. (Right Photo) A family taking a bath beside the road of Cawa-Cawa. (Photo by: Hannah Blanco)

Badjaos get their water from a water hose that is situated beside the road of Cawa-Cawa while they also take a bath beside it. They don't need to go to other places to do such things anymore. The government already provided them with these necessities.

Some Badjaos washed their clothes and hanged it beside their tents. All of them have works to do even children. They never complaint and never frown.

(Photo by: Hannah Blanco)

(LEFT PHOTO)A six-year old boy was sweeping the street in front of their tent early in the morning. (RIGHT ABOVE PHOTO) A middle-aged man was seen trying to construct a useful house thing out of used woods. (RIGHT BELOW PHOTO)A Family was helping each other preparing breakfast just right beside the sea. (Photo by: Hannah Blanco)

Preparing meal for a big family is not that easy. This middle-aged woman have to go through a lot before finishing the meal for her entire family. (Photo by: Hannah Blanco)

Meals and Eating was very difficult for the Badjaos. They lack food and eats little. They eat alone or in group.(PHOTO by: Hannah Blanco)

A fifteen-year old Badjao, carrying her five-year old sister in the street. They are heading to their tent and is making sure that her little sister will not be hit by the vehicles passing by.

(Photo by: Hannah Blanco)

Despite of all the nightmares that the Badjaos continues to experience, they never stops being optimistic. They smile a lot and they help each other in any way they can. They even recreate too!