Every time I go home to Marinduque, the moment the ferry nears Balanacan Port, I already know what’s coming—shouts, splashes, and tiny bodies swimming in the sea, asking for coins.
It’s a sight that used to amuse me as a kid.
Now? It hurts.
💭 “Why are they doing this? Aren’t there better ways?” I keep asking myself.
But then I remember—this is their reality. Not everyone has options.
🌊 A Dangerous Game That’s Too Real
When you see them from the boat—smiling, playful, diving gracefully—you might think it’s fun.
But watch closely:
- 🤿 Some are using makeshift floaters made from plastic bottles.
- ⚠️ Others get too close to the ship’s hull.
- 💔 Some just look too small to be doing this at all.
It breaks my heart knowing this happens every day.
💡 What Locals Say
I once asked a local vendor near the port, “Why do they still do this?”
She said,
“Sanay na sila. ‘Yan na ang nakalakihan nila. Para may baon sa school kinabukasan.”
(“They’re used to it. It’s what they grew up with. It’s their way to have pocket money for school.”)
It's survival, not mischief.
🧒🏻 What These Kids Need (Instead of Coins)
If you want to help, here are better, safer alternatives:
🔹 🎒
School Supplies – Notebooks, pencils, crayons
🔹
🍞 Food Packs – Healthy snacks or meals
🔹
📚 Books or Toys – Something meaningful and
lasting
🔹
🤝 Ask NGOs – Local groups in Boac and
Gasan support youth projects
📍 Travel Tips for Tourists at Balanacan Port
- ❌ Don’t toss coins into the water — it encourages risky behavior.
- ✅ Wait until docked to give something safely, or hand donations to the ferry staff.
- 📸 Be respectful when taking photos. Always ask if possible.
- 🚫 Avoid glamorizing the experience on social media.
🧭 A Deeper Look into Island Life
Marinduque is beautiful. Peaceful. Magical.
But like any place, it carries struggles too—especially among the young.
I wish these kids could just be kids. I wish they didn’t have to swim for loose change just to buy rice or pay school dues. But here we are.
💬 Coming home always stirs mixed feelings.
Gratitude. Sadness. Hope.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned—it’s that we don’t just visit places. We witness stories.
So next time you're in Marinduque, look beyond the picture-perfect beaches.
See the children. Ask questions. Listen with your heart.
📢 💬 Have you seen kids diving for coins in other places?
What did you feel?
Share your story in the comments or message me—let's reflect together on how we can help in ways that truly matter.
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