This is the view of Bongao market from Lamion. I took this picture while we are about to cross to Chinese pier on board a banca.
Indigent Tausug living in this town were busy in their respective businesses. Some were selling water on Banca [a banca which has blue drum], and the others were selling cassava and some foodstuffs brought from other islands in Tawi-Tawi.
If only the indigent people here is not craving for more this kind of life is quite enough for them. Tausug in Bongao mostly have simple kind of life who work hard every day just to earn few pisos to buy food and cloth for the family. Never mind to those who own some buildings here, they have more than enough for their families.
What is important we learn every day how to value this life.
I had been there more than thirty years ago, when I was still a little boy and I still remember that potable water in this island was too scarce but very peaceful place in spite of the fact that some of the biggest MNLF camps were found in some parts of Tawi-tawi like in Languyan island (?)(visited this, too with some of Commander Apalar's men or relatives), Ungos Matata (?),Bas-bas (?) ... sorry for the fading memories since I went on to become a Manila based Tausug close to three decades now! Ya Allah! I miss those beautiful places in Sulu or Tawi-tawi! May Allah allow me to set foot in the beautiful beaches of Pahumaan and Tumbagaan Islands again. Water wasn't a problem in Tumbagaan, you can dig a deep-well almost anywhere then!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Will Jami. Our country, Sulu, has everything that other places don't have. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteThe pleasure is mine for all the writings and fotos you have published which made us more informed and updated of our beloved Sulu and its proud people. Thanks a lot Sir and keep it up!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome brother..Insyallah i'll be posting more photos of our beloved homeland.
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