Lived Experiences of Badjao Street Dwellers in Metro Manila

Abstract. The Badjao, who have traditionally been recognized for their sailors and coastal lifestyles in their hometown, are known as the "Sea Gypsies" of the southern Philippines with a distinct culture that is strongly linked to the sea. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate and comprehend what are the lived experiences of the Badjao Street Dwellers in asking for alms because it addresses the lived experiences received by the Badjao, a marginalized community that is sometimes disregarded in social policy discussion. The researcher used a Qualitative research method, conducting in-depth semi structured interviews to collect data from six (6) Badjao Street Dwellers who were asking for alms in the cities of Metro Manila. The purposive Sampling Technique was used to select the participants. To analyze and organize the patterns of their responses, the researchers used Thematic Analysis which reveals eight (8) emergent themes from their experiences, two (2) from perceived benefits and coping mechanisms, and four under-life realizations. The results of the study reveal that Badjao Street Dwellers have various strategies to sustain eating daily. By asking for alms, they have accumulated their essential needs and gathered money. However, the participant encountered numerous challenges, such as marginalization, financial and property issues, and hardships in life with no progression. To cope up, they tried to be passive and thrive in life and realized to aim for a good future for their children, a new perspective, and still come home.