Tawi-Tawi: Life & Death On The Sea Border Of Malaysia & The Philippines | Borderlands | Full Episode 

I got teary eyed when I heard them singing the Philippine national anthem. They’re true Filipinos and they need help. I hope the government sees this and realize that they need our support.

Thank you for this documentary. I am a Filipino and it broke my heart seeing my fellow Filipinos that having a hard life. I thought that life in the city is difficult and yet, theirs is much more. I hope that the Government can do something about their problems. To Mr and Mrs Erana, who sacrificially help educating the Badjao, your work and sacrifice is so commendable.

It's a great feeling to come across this video here in RU-vid hearing the locals speak in a language I still can understand after 23 years of not being able to go back here... I, too am a halfblooded Sama of Sibutu, Tawi-tawi... This makes me missed my Mom who died of Breast Cancer 3years ago... I remember her plans before her condition worsen 3yrs ago - She wished to go back home to Tawi-tawi... So heartbreaking it didn't happen anymore :'( Miss ku na kau toongan ili Mama...😥

While watching the whole video, I remember my grandfather story. He lived in Tawi-Tawi during his teenager years, his friend ask him to accompany them to deliver sugar packages into another town then later he found out that they're destination is to Malaysia.They reached Malaysia without any documentation or passport. He told me how clean and peaceful Malaysia is.

Good job CNA for this documentary. Truly an eye opener. The couple should be given a presidential award for their selfless advocacy

Spread kindness and love from Malaysia . Mabuhay !

Philippines should focus on improving standards of living in the south. We should equally make every region rise up. The south is always getting left behind. And the north is always getting the attention...

Million thanks to our living heroes, the soldiers who passionately doing their best service to every Filipino. I salute to all of you!

So glad this came into my recommendation. Salute to the couple who selflessly devoted themselves for a cause and mission to help those locals

This is the kind of video that needs so much attention. This is the kind of video that needs to be viral. An eye opener to our fellow Filipinos out there that we are facing a far more deeper problems that we don't know of. The way the documentary was put together is amazing. Kudos to CNA for making this. Thank you.

This is the moment when we really realize that we are just too small in this world. I really feel small when I watched these kinds of films and documentaries showing the hardships of our kababayans and I can't do anything but cry. I really wish I have the power, means, and deligence to extend my hands. I'll travel in my whole country and help. Sadly, I can't even help my own family🥺

The husband and wife are the true heroes. God loves them so much.

It's shame that I get to see this deplorable condition of my fellow Filipinos down south featured by a foreign channel. I thought I have seen enough abject poverty in my country until this. No one will watch this video and not move by it while feeling helpless because of the hostility in the area. The journalist who has braved to cover this deserves so much respect. Kudos to CNA.

Good job CNA! Ang ganda nang documentary na ito. Sana lang mapansin nang gobyerno ang mga lugar na ito. Mabigyan sana nang tulong. They really need help. Kudos to the couple who serve without hesitation! ❤❤❤

I'm really delighted about this video, I am Filipino from Tawi-Tawi and Sulu, i am from Tausug Tribe, i have the same language like this Soldier's native languange.

God bless our soldiers for keeping the Philippines safe, peaceful and orderly.

I was in tears when that little boy was missing at sea! The fact that his older cousin was rescued with injuries scared me to the bone! I don't even know these people, they're language, or even heard of half these places outside Malaysia & the Philippines. It didn't matter to me though. In my country, my family is considered close to poverty. Thankfully there's programs to help us to get food, medical care, & temp housing. I couldn't imagine living in such conditions as they're subjected to! They're so happy to be together though! They care about family, food, shelter, & safety. Nothing frivolous like my fellow Americans. I'm ashamed to think of the things i don't have compared to other, especially when there's people living with so little, user they're happy to be alive & have each other! Many first world people living below the poverty line in our country could learn so much from them! Much respect from the USA.

I think the government should focus in the mindanao part of the Philippines and give more budget and help to the people that lives in that area.

there is more happiness in giving than in receiving.. God Bless all the kind hearted people 🙏🙏

As a sabahan from KK its really interesting learning about what is happening on the other side of the island. Thanks

CNA excellent documentary on the Sama and Bajao people. Congratulations! I hope with this documentary, more NGOs will work and serve in those remote islands and islets of the Philippines.

Thank you CNA Insider for letting me see a part of my country that I have not seen before.

As a Bisaya, ma'am, sir, salamat kaayu sa inyung tabang hinaot pa unta na naa pay mga tawo na may malumo ug kasing kasing na sama ninyu na mutabang sa atong mga kaigsuonan diha sa Mindanao particularly diha sa borderlands ug hinaot na matabangan usab sila sa gobyerno kay sila usab mga Pilipino 🙏

Tawi Tawi is a beautiful place to go to . Philippine government should protect this land and its people . They are Filipinos and part of the Philippines 🇵🇭 and should be well protected!!!!

To those outhere with good living and much for living or even rich families take this as lesson for us to see and learn..pls do not waste money or even waste food..save everything for yr next generation

It is a historical fact that this part of Mindanao has been left in such deplorable state because of continuous infighting between the rebels and government forces. With the BARMM in place and rebels surrendering to the government, we hope development will come to this place and tourism will pickup as this area of PH has a lot of beautiful places!

My Kudos to the Officer Albasher Albara Maritme Security Units Patrol, Port Area, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. My salute also to Mr. Eleazar Erano & his lovely wife Mrs. Maria Leonor Blanco Erano. You all are living Heroes of the Philippines & also with a Filipino Big Heart. What you did were all heroic in the sense that the Military are our security at the south & the voluntary assistance you make to our Filipino Brothers in the south particularly the Sama, Tausogs & Bajaus Tribes. The Documentary is very informative & very touching, I hope this documentary should be shown in the Philippine Congress so that all our politicians can see what is the real problem in the south. Thank you CNA insider for the show. Thanks fr. Manila. Peace to all & God Bless.

Today is my day off. And I don't know how I find this video about life. My tears getting out of no where while watching this video. Everytime I see kids happy and smiling in this video my heart is overwhelming. I hope someday I can go in that place to see and to feel how they live. All I can see is about love... Please stop fighting and killing, instead helping to one another no matter how big, religion, beliefs, race and where we from. We are all human and all we want is to live. Keep safe every one...

I'VE BEEN THERE, AND MY LAST IS LANGUYAN ISLAND. WHEN I WAS IN MARINE BATTALION LANDING TEAM3 AND MARINE BATTALION LANDING TEAM8 AT 2TIMES DIN AKO NAKAAKYAT NG BONGAO PEAK. VERY PEACEFUL ANG TAWI-TAWI AND FRIENDLY ANG MGA TAO UNLIKE IN OTHER AREAS IN MINDANAO. VERY RISKY NA ASSIGNMENT IS IN BASILAN AND SULU. #SEMPERFI

I’m so proud of this couple helping the Badjao to have the education that they need. I hope the government will find ways to support the education of these Badjaos and our other muslim brothers. Either you are muslims or christians, we are still filipinos and we need to help each other to achieve peace and prosperity for everyone specially in the southern Philippines.

I suggests to the Phil.givernment to give value and recognize the patriotism of these two couple.. which has dedicated their lives for the welfare and the common good to the Tawi2 native tribes. They deserve an extra ordinary award of achievements in the service for the Filipino people far away in the South Phil.archipelago..

The couple are real living heroes. Salute to you Mam and Sir. Godbless you always.

This is an awesome documentary, the sincerity of marine personnel to escort the couple volunteer may God keeps you and bless your mission. Hopefully the government would extends their support to our kababayan in Tawi-tawi and other nearby islands. Thanks CNA!

It's so saddening to know the situation of our fellow Filipinos from this side of the country, yet it gives us hope that there are certain individuals who choose to help these people wholeheartedly. Great job, CNA. Thank you for bringing us this almost unseen and undocumented struggles of our fellowmen.

I first came across Bajau people when I saw poor kids living in the parking lot of the Jollibee fast food restaurant in Koronadal City and in the streets of Genral Santos in the Southern Philippines. Their story ending up begging in those areas which already are poor for those who can afford a home there is truely hard breaking. I soon found out that the Bajau people are sea nomads and since then ever wondered how it looks like on those small islands between Mindanao and Malaysia, an absolute no go area for me who already is strongly advised not to travel even to the places where I have been. Thank you for this great documentary.

Kailangang matulongan natin ang mga kapatid natin sa areas na ito. Salamat ng marami kina Mr & Mrs Erana sa kanilang dedication at sakripisyo nila sa pagtulong sa mga kababayan nangangailangan. Sana ang mga leaders na nasa gobierno ay tinututukan ang ganitong lugar para man lang mabawasan o mawala ang kahirapan. Salamat din sa mga kapulisan at military na tumutulong jan.

Thank you so much for this documentary. This 46 minutes video encapsulated almost everything that is unknown to me, except for Abu sayaff & the 2013 LD stand-off. I’m from Sabah and the title of the video just captured my attention because I knew my State was gonna be in it. Growing up I’ve always been exposed to news of immigrants coming from the Philippines without proper documentation & deportation is not new. While it’s true that in the past, immigration was easy, people coming in to live or work in Sabah, it has changed a lot over the years due to security reasons. The Philippines is a great country itself, my opinion they have the most talented people int the world and the focus is that but what made me realise through this video, is that these people have not been taken care of by the leadership of the country. It’s as though, they’ve been cast out, forcing them to live their lives without proper support. The Bajaus are also a tribe in my state and they thrive and are doing so well. For those reading the comment section, I just wanna clarify that not all bajaus are living the way you see them on this video. Many are highly educated, in Sabah at least. What I can gather from this video is, the government failed to find common ground with people in the south and only now trying to bridge the gap that has been broken for ages. It’s not too late but i think more should be done, like the lady said ‘no politicians come to these areas’, I think if the government is truly interested to reduce violence, poverty and improve education, they should take some time to really address these issues by going to these places and engaging with the locals. It all stems from politics. If the country isn’t doing well, it’s the politics. I must say though, the islands along the border are so beautiful. I just wish these places were developed enough for the population in these islands. Just so much potential for the locals. And I thank the couple and the marines for helping them, doing amazing job reaching out to these people.

From the bottom of my heart! To our beloved southern filipino muslim brothers and sisters (BARMM REGION). Remember that we from Luzon,Visayas and mainland Mindanao are so proud and happy that you are part of our country The Philippines. Despite the poverty that we suffered not just there but throughout our country you still manage to live your lives even how hard it is. I hope that in the near future , GOD/ALLAH help our country become once again a prosperous country. And return the star with a crescent moon of sabbah in our 3 stars and Sun of our flag. Remember that we are filipinos and we will always have our each others back. GOD BLESS/INSHALLAH

Selamat petang untuk anda di Tawi-Tawi, yang berasal dari kawasan berhampiran Sabah, menonton dari Mindanao Tengah.

watching From Malaysia.Im Bajau ubian ,Tawi2.Ilove this Documentary.And Thanks to The Marine Personnel.Ive Protection to The Borderland.My Expectation Is Much Appreciated.Tarimah kasih Banyak2.

So heartbreaking to see my fellow pilipino in this kind of situation. Life there is hard and with no proper education, I salute to the volunteers. Hope the government will give more focus and importance to this matter.

Leonor, you are doing a great service for these community ❤️❤️❤️ you are an angel in disguise. Your good heart makes my eyes teary, i am deeply moved. God bless you and your family.

I spent a year in Sibutu,Tawi- Tawi I survived no drinking water but rain . We camped at the campus ground of Notre Dame High School . I was 29 years old then Iwas able see Sanga sanga and Bungao where market place was .

WATCHING FROM THE USA. THANKS FOR POSTING THIS VIDEO. IT TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE ON THE BORDERS OF THE PHILIPPINES AND MALAYSIA.

My brother is a Marine Military. Sa Tawi-tawi sya ngayon naka distino. We're so grateful na hindi sya na punta sa Sulu, but still we pray for his safety and to his co-military.

The local government must address the issue to the national government and to the Arm forces.

You really are one of those who have a pure love in your hearts, a true blooded Filipinos who can give everything for the love of your countrymen, MAY GOD, KEEP YOU AWAY FROM ANY HARM, STAY BLESSED, AND KEEP THE HEROIC DEEDS! NAKAKA PROUD KAYO! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Need talaga ng incoming President to improve the Tawi- Tawi areas ksi maraming small island sa Lugar na yan , no electricity, fresh water , school , transportation at livelihood incoming, hinde puro Luzon or NCR.

I'm from North Mindanao, and seeing this kind of situation from our fellow Southern Mindanao is heart wrecking. I hope government see this 🙏

siguro it’s time na bigyan naman nang pansin ang mga badjao people, tawi tawi and sulu people na mabigyan sila ng sapat na edukasyon, medical at pinansyal ng government. Hanga ako sa mga taong may pusong nagmamalasakit sa kanila. Sana tuloy tuloy na ang pagbabago sa lugar na ito.. God bless

Ang mga bajao di dpat husgahan pag nasa city sila, dahil ang iba ay biktima lamang ng kahirapan pero ang pamumuhay nila ay isang paraiso salat ngalang sa salapi, pero paraiso ang pamumuhay

When the Lolo said” Maitu na kmi Halamania lahat kami pasal kami itu Sama du ba”(Dito na kami kc wala nman kami Lugar kc isa lang kami Badjaw " 😢😢😢😢broke my heart

This is a comprehensive journalism. Thank you for this content. 👍 salute and keep it up.

I salute you maam for helping them you have a big heart. Hope you will not stop helping. 💖

Thank you for this. I once visited a small village bordering Sarawak and Indonesia. Ppl there just travel cross border using bicycles. They are very peace loving ppl. And of course, this porous border poses challenge to trafficking and many kids result in being stateless. Hope our Home Minister DSSN can help them. I love my country, Malaysia. Sadhu

I hope the national government would see the struggles of the people living in the remote areas of the country. They seem forget that there are Filipino people who need their attention.

Thank you for this documentary. Brings back my childhood memories of those islands. Keep on making them. 👍❤️🌎🌺

ang hirap ng buhay diyan. maraming salamat at may tao parin matulungin. mabuhay po kayo. sa mga teacher and soldiers. God bless us all.

Thank you Mr. Eleazar Erana and Mrs. Maria Leonor Blanco Erana. God bless. Proud Taga Aurora Zamboanga del Sur here ❤

Greetings from Sarawak Malaysian Borneo...what an informative educational documentary I had ever seen regarding life,culture,tradition,Geo-political,socio-economic issues just near our border Sabah.Now I really understood their problems coming to Sabah.Narrated in details.Now I used to have good friends while working in Kota Kinabalu Sabah capital two years ago.I am guessing the population of Sabahan local are less than the illegal immigrants from the Philippines .They came here in Sabah to find works and to feeds,sending back money for their families..... but please comes with proper legal documents.We welcome you with open arms.🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

I salute to couples and military for their courage to help those people God bless you all

I had never knew the situation of tawi tawi until i saw this documentary, it's like i knew nothing about the world that we are in right now so much situatuion and places to discover, there's so much to learn and to know

Jangan datang sabah jikalau tak ada passport.. Kalau mahu datang..biarlah sah.. Tidak melanggar undang²

This is why federalism is very important in the Philippines, so that local government on that area can have more financial power to support their people.

The wife and the husband that are going around to help everyone is so commendable...

Hopefully, I have enough money to help them. I feel sorry for those people and my kababayan in southern part of the philippines.. Godbless you all.

this episode has only 45 mnts but has lots of story to tell. Very interesting to watch :)

Mabuhay ang pilipinas , mabuhay Malaysia, people with heart and souls, 🌹❤️🙏

Proud to be badjao of Malaysia. Salam from Malaysia.

Thank you to both of you for helping the People of Tawi_Tawi, I salute u Ma'am and Sir

We people of the Philippines and to those who govern PI should give suppport 100% for these people right here because they are belong to us,belong the country. Who will help them, if we Filipinos can not? We musr stand together as one. God bless us all...💞💞💞

Hindi pa ako tapos panuoring ang video pero grabe na yung saludo ko sa mga taong ito. Yung passion nila sa pagtulong grabe, saludo ako sa inyo.

Salamat po sa inyu pag documentary. Tinapos q po walang scape. Proud aq sa mga volunteers natin maraming salamat ulit.

Praying for those people. Wish someday i can go there and help ❤️

I learned a big lesson in life after I had watched this. I've never been so touched my entire life.

I LOVE WATCHING DOCUMENTARY OF CNA, AND IT'S BETTER TO WATCH ON TV💜💜 love it

I am a Filipino and I live here in Mindanao. It makes me sad that there are people out there in tawi-tawi experience something like this. I hope that our Government will include their situations and improve their situations better

19:10 the guy who built the boat is gifted. What a cool board. The azdwan guy... He speaks sabahan malay. Because he used to live in Sabah. May God bless him.

We’re kababayan Mr & Mrs Erana 🇵🇭 God bless 👏 Mabuhay Watching Sacramento California USA 🇺🇸

Ito dapat tuonan pansin ng Government din, para mabigyan Good Education sila. . Bigyan budget . Badyao para matoto Mabuhay ng mayaman sa kaalaman. . Thank sa mag-Asawa na ito.ito.God 🙏 keep safe

Praying that real change and peace to whole boarder areas in the Philippines,safety for all.God Bless you all.

Imagine how life is so simple before, when you only need food and shelter

Miss na miss ko ang Bongao Tawi-Tawi, my childhood days. Ang lugar kung saan ako unang umibig at nabigo, huhuhu. InshaAllah, Allahumma Ameen will be there soon. Ingat lagi jan sa mga nakakilala sa akin lalo na jan sa Parola Site, Coast Guard Station

Nalulungkot ako sa kalagayan nga ating mga kababayan, dapat mabigyan sila agad ng pansin ng gobyerno and tanong kailan pa kaya tayo magakaroon ng isang tunay na leader na makabayan at nagmamalasakit sa mga taong may ganitong kalagayan, kung walang korapsyon tiyak sana na aabot sa kanila ang para sa kanila. Masakit na makita na ganito ang kalagayan nila.

Best documentary I’ve watched so far this year 2020. Bravo CNA! 👏🏻

documentaries are my fav contents here in yt❤

For me its a great contributions to our fellow Badjau.... A fellow pilipino that needs most attentions and care.... I can feel the hardness of life by just viewing this post.. GOD BLESS YOU MA'AM.... AND SIR..... for a heroic did........

Hiling ko lang sa pamahalaan na sana mabigyan pansin ang mga kapwa natin pilipino dito sa bandang lugar ng mindanao , sa kanilang kabuhayan na maayos, education sa mga bata at kalusogan ng mga tao doon, at mabigyan din ng maayos na siguridad ang ating mga sundalo na nagbabantay sa ating paligid for our protection and safety, maraming salamat po sana mabigyan tugon ito ng ating gobierno, God bless Philippines

Simple life, simple mind. The sea is their 'rezeki'(source of livelihood). Live from day by day with deep understandings for the Orang Laut of a common destiny.

One of the best docs I've ever seen...

Bravo and kudos for all of your hard work in producing this film. Everyone on the reach out team should receive a standing ovation. Superb & excellent job! Keep up the great work.

This couple educating and helping elevate the community is amazing. Bless them. Sadhu

Mabuhay ang mga sundalong Pilipino at mga NGO / guro na nagpapatupad ng kaalaman ,edukasyon, medical mission, kaligtasan at kapayapaan sa Inang Bayan Ophir. Mabuhay po kayong lahat. Hope na yong mga likas na yaman particular ang natural gas / deuterium ay mapakinabangan ng bawat Pilipino particular ng mga taga Mindanao para wala ng mahirap na Pilipino. God bless us all.

Thank you so much CNA Insider for this documentary. This is an eye opener to everyone. And may God bless these two amazing people (Mr. and Mrs. Erana) for their awe-inspiring works. Stay safe everyone. 💙

Wow that's the real documentary I love it. I've seen the struggle of the life style those pilipino living on that island. 🤗

I was hr bfr 2011.. i was also experience to cross bongao to sabah malaysia.. very unforgetable experience na hindi ko makakalimutan sa buong buhay ko.. pag wala kang pass tlg sbrang hrp kumilos at hrp dn mkauwi ng bansa.. tumagal ako hanggang 2015 sa malaysia ng wlng visa at laging my takot sa araw araw na pananatili ng sabah.

Thank you ma'am and sir for helping ❤ and also to our soldiers who always protect this country keep safe and God bless us always po ❤

Outrageous documentary! Applause for those staff behind this video. Very informative and extraordinary 💚👌

Snappy salute sainyo maam and sir! Bigyan pa sana kayo ng diyos ng maraming lakas para magabayan at maturuan ang mga batang kababayan natin sa pilipinas.

Respect and love from fellow Sea People from Pangasinan.