Badjao-themed TV series bound to make Netflix milestone?
GMA Network is going all out producing the Badjaothemed series “Sahaya” starring Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix. In an interview, a key person from the show claimed it is being primed as first Philippine TV show to be part of popular streaming service, Netflix.
“Sahaya” is an inspiring story of a young Badjao woman. Bianca plays the titular character who embraces her own identity and heritage as a Badjao, even defying the power of love. Her positive outlook in life will inspire her family and her people as she becomes their role model. Miguel is Ahmad, a simple Badjao who will fall in love with Sahaya. He will do everything in order to win her heart.
The team recreated an entire Badjao village in Batangas where they shoot many of the scenes. Some of them also did immersion in Tawi-Tawi.
For preparations, Bianca and Miguel underwent diving lessons, dance workshops and studied some aspects of the culture of the Badjaos.
The actress couldn’t help but be excited, saying this is her “most challenging” role to date.
“I immersed myself in the background of the character I play. I researched. I practiced their local language and it’s really fun. The story is very beautiful. Here, I’m an honor student who dreams to uplift the lives of my tribe,” she shared.
It is sort of dream come true for her, who has always wants to play a mermaid.
“Sahaya is not a mermaid here but she’s always in the water. She lives with a family of fishermen. I’m excited because I really love the water.”
A GMA executive stated that Bianca is “perfect” for the role, given her close resemblance to Badjaos in terms of the skin color and big eyes. She felt kilig hearing these.
According to the Ethnics Groups of the Philippines, Badjao are widely known as the “Sea Gypsies” of the Sulu and Celebes Seas. They are scattered along the coastal areas of Tawi Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, and some coastal municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur in the ARMM.
Amongst themselves, they’re known as Sama Laus (Sea Sama) and are found living on houseboats where they make their livelihood solely on the sea as expert fishermen, deep sea divers, and navigators. They come to shore to barter their harvests for farmed produce such as fruits and cassava, as well as, replenish their supplies and/or make repairs to their houseboats.
Unique to their cultural rituals is the concept of life and their relationship to the sea: For example, as a childbirth ritual, a newly born infant is thrown into the sea and members of the clan dive to save the newborn.
They are also associated with “migration and movement.” Many Badjaos now live in Metro Manila.
“We all know how Badjaos are sometimes being ‘mistreated’ here. But they are really interesting people. They fight for their culture. They’re living a simple life. They don’t have hierarchy. They are all equal,” she shared.
“Through the series, we want to educate viewers on their life’s journey… how and who they are. We will tackle love, family, culture, and education… also women empowerment.” “Sahaya” means light and hope.
It is the nth series of love team partners Bianca and Miguel. Their chemistry captured the hearts of viewers in various Kapuso shows including “Mga Basang Sisiw,” “Niño,” “Once Upon A Kiss,” “Wish I May,” “Ismol Family,” “Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko,” and “Kambal, Karibal.”
Despite being hounded by controversies, Bianca is grateful to work with Miguel anew.
“We’ve been together for nine years now. It’s nice that you work with your good friend. I’m grateful that the network still trusts us,” she said.
On a lighter side, Miguel revealed she loves to eat weird combination of foods like strawberry ice cream and calamares. He, on the other hand, is scared of cockroach.
Also in the cast are Zoren Legaspi, Mylene Dizon, Eric Quizon, Ana Roces, Pen Medina, Ashley Ortega, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and Migo Adecer.
Directed by Zig Dulay, “Sahaya” will take over the “Onanay” timeslot on GMA Telebabad in March.