Badjao Conversion

Girls are self-conscious, or so they say. I guess we've caught them (or us) staring at them mirror for a million times wondering what and which fits us the most. Who can tell better on what looks good on you? For some its the hair that's been the object of attack.

Some opt for hair straightening treatments such as relax, rebond, reborn and what "re"s the salon could think of.  Others may want a new hair cut, believing in faith that old hair throws off the bitter past that was left behind. But for this season, many of us stepped forward to saying goodbye to brown black dark asian hair. New hair color, come to mama.

Badjao family in the water

When a fellow of mine walked the hallway of the school with her new hair color, someone asked her, "Nag pa convert lagi kag Badjao? (You converted yourself to being a Badjao?)". 

You see, this ethnic group known for its excellent diving skills are also known for its signature orange to yellow colored hair. Their longer exposure to the sun makes their hair lose the melanin ending up their hair colour in such.

Badjaos are originally from Mindanao and according to studies, they have reached big cities such as Cebu to try their luck so they would breathe out of poverty. Yet, nothing happens. They still roam the streets carrying an infant to provoke pity amongst street people or sit by the pier and amuse tourists on how they can swim into deep stretches of waters. Even their babies can dive into the dangerous waters of the ocean. They leave their own ethnic culture and living just to gamble their lives with nothing in return.

New hair color, no need for stereotyping

I really don't know what is there in return with an almost orange head, aside from the Ammonia overload that's been on mine for days. As a woman, there is nothing with changing hair color. It may be a metaphoric message being conveyed for some but hair will still be hair, no need for stereotyping.