Coconuts.  A Badjao boy is collecting coconuts to be used in trade by his family.  This scene is charming – the reality is harsh.

Laundry.  This woman helps support her family by taking in laundry.  No washing machines at the settlement.

Homemade Boat.  The Samal/Badjaos are clean people and although ramshackle, their houses and streets are orderly.  They are also colorful, which is apparent in their clothing and boats.  The boats, like this one, are handmade from plywood acquired by barter – much of the plywood sheets are used.  The man whose daughter is playing in the unfinished hull fishes all day for half a bucket of 6-10” fish.  Sometimes more – sometimes 2 buckets.  This is the family’s only source of protein and trade items.

Fishing.  One of a few long-range tuna boats (hand line) has just returned from a 20-day voyage in Indonesian, pirate-infested, waters.  Ten men were aboard, representing eight families.  The voyage was successful, the tuna were sold at the Santos fish port and the boat’s old diesel still runs.

Fuel Wood.  T’boli tribesmen deliver logs to the settlement, trading them for fish, fish traps and sleeping mats the Samal Badjao can supply.  The Badjao families involved in this business split and stack the wood that is the principal fuel for cooking at the settlement.

Family Store.  One of the small Sari Sari stores run by a family trying hard to make a few pesos, but terribly under stocked because of no capital.  There are about 9 stores functioning on the settlement.  The Samals are famous traders – but are off-balanced selling to a market of fellow refugees who have little if any money.  Much bartering is going on here.  Firewood traded for fish, fish for soap, laundry work for coconuts.