I am!

I tell you, that’s probably the last place I will visit. Eh that’s the birthplace of Abu Sayyaf noh.  Not that I am worried na baka kidnappin ako, *haller, ASIATIC ang byooti ketch kahit na mas gusto ko sanang mabansagang TISAY kaya di papasa sa kidnap for ransom* anything can happen diba and I don’t ever wanna die there with bullets all over my drop dead gorgeous body.

Ok, this is supposed to be a SERIOUS POST.

I know SOME of you are thinking or feeling the same thing. In the public imagination, Basilan is a wild wild place that has always been connected with WAR, KILLINGS, KIDNAPPING and TERRORIST attack since time immemorial. Can you imagine the life of our fellow Filipinos living there? Yeah right, running for their lives all the time. Hiding and sleeping in the jungle. Many of them have lived a lifetime of sacrifice and anguish. If you can enjoy the luxury of eating 4 times a day with matching deserts, I tell you, those people out there only eat kamote and dahon ng kangkong with bulad.

If we, fellow Filipinos are frightened by the thought of goint to Basilan, how much more do the foreigners/ foreign investors feel about it?

Think about this Kabisyo, this affects the whole country, and not just some communities in the Mindanao area. We’re all victims here although evidently, people living there are the one suffering the most from all these negative image and bad reputation. Don’t you think it’s unfair? They’re just victims of what? MAN MADE CALAMITIES and MANY POLITICAL DRAMA ANTHOLOGIES. Truth is, Basilan has become isolated now more than ever.  This beautiful and mineral-rich island remains one of the most underdeveloped in the country today. Look how promising their tourism could get:

Malawi Beach in Basilan 

I think it’s high time that we all work together to make this world a better place to live in. We are the world. We are the children diba? And we should start right here right NOW! Make a difference, mga kabisyo. It all starts with AWARENESS. But how?

Social climb with Basilan Island Development Association (BIDA), Inc. - an NGO whose vision is to achieve a dignified, peaceful and life-sustaining Island Province of Basilan through this project:

H.E.L.P. Basilan

H –  2nd and 3rd degree malnourishment in many municipalities. There is evident high morbidity and mortality rate attributed to the limited health facilities and services. Service hospitals are few and not equipped.

E – EDUCATION. Relatively low rate of functional literacy and high rates of school drop-outs prevail in the Island mainly due to the poor economic standing of the Basileños.

L – LIVELIHOOD. There is limited income/employment opportunities in the municipalities and the limited skills on the part of the labor force. Basileños just depend too much on seasonal coconut harvest.

P – PEOPLE. The Island Province of Basilan has great potentials that can be tapped for social development. Foremost of these are its people, the Basileños. Given the necessary motivation and technology, they can meaningfully participate in the democratization and expansion of health, education, livelihood resource and other social services program if properly coordinated. They are capable of reaching more people in both urban and rural areas. Rise up from the ruins of political, social , cultural and emic uncertainties.

God has blessed you so that YOU CAN BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS.

I am sure, in our own little ways, we can all help.  If you’re interested, send an email to the following:

Lamitan, Basilan

Success don’t happen overnight. Little by little, step by step, one at a time…we can achieve progress. Life gets better everyday di ba! Parang SUNSILK…paganda ng paganda ang buhay araw-araw. But that’s not gonna happen if you will not do your part. Wherever and whoever you are,  kabisyo, kapuso or kapamilya…let’s support this great project. Alone, we can do so little but TOGETHER we can do SO MUCH. Help change Basilan to a more positive place!

Next time, when someone asked me to go there, I wont be frightened anymore. Pero kung ganito ka-gwapo ang mag-aaya as in ngayon na ngayon na…GO GO GO!!! LOL

Shocks REYNZ!!!! We should go to Basilan NOW NA baka maabutan naten tong gwapong mama na ‘to!!! HAHAHAHA

Bloggers who supported the project:
1. Reyna Elena
2. Sinaglaya
3. Part of You
4. Pinoy Ambisyoso Meets World
5. Kengkay
6. 100% Batangueno

Wag na mahiya, pick it up and blog about it. Spread it, kabisyo.

*pictures used with permission from HERE

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