01/10/2026
EXPLORING MALUSO, BASILAN: Empowering the Bajau Community Through Education and Culture
Our journey in Maluso, Basilan brings us to a meaningful community initiative that continues to create opportunities for the Bajau people through education, culture, and livelihood.
Established in 2018, the Claret Samal Foundation Incorporated – Yellow School of Hope continues its mission of providing access to education for Bajau children and supporting their integration into mainstream society.
For School Year 2026–2027, the school is currently serving a total of 284 Bajau children, from Preparatory, Kindergarten, and Grades 1 to 6. Beyond providing education, the initiative reflects the mission of the Claretian priests to assist, facilitate, and involve our Bajau brethren in the wider community while recognizing and preserving their unique culture and identity.
Our first stop: The Bajau Weaving and Cultural Center
Our team also visited the Weaving and Cultural Center, an initiative supported by the same foundation behind the floating school. The center provides Bajau weavers with an opportunity to earn a livelihood through their traditional expertise in mat weaving.
What makes the initiative even more meaningful is the effort to transform traditional weaving into new and innovative products, allowing the weavers to showcase their skills while creating products that can reach a wider market.
From the classroom to the weaving center, the story of the Bajau community in Maluso is a story of hope, heritage, opportunity, and empowerment.
Education opens doors. Culture builds identity. Livelihood creates opportunities.
As we continue exploring the tourism, culture, and communities of Basilan, we look forward to discovering more stories and initiatives that demonstrate how community-based development can help preserve heritage while creating meaningful opportunities for our people.
