Defying Traditions: 'Si Astri maka si Tambulah'

 

The love story of Astri and Tambulah captivates us, even as we know its sad fate. Xeph Suarez's 'Si Astri maka si Tambulah' (Astri and Tambulah) depicts a young and forbidden romance in a culture that shuns LGBTQIA+ identities. The film explores the struggles and joys of a Moro transgender who defies the norms of her society.

The film begins with a scene of Astri performing pangalay, a traditional dance, while Tambulah accompanies her with a tambol, a drum. They are on a boat, surrounded by spectators who pay a small fee to watch Astri's graceful movements. The film reveals how the two earn their living by entertaining others while saving up for Astri's dowry.

Astri and Tambulah share a home in the stilt house community of the Badjaos, somewhere in Zamboanga City. Astri's father has reluctantly "accepted" his daughter and her chosen identity, but he still insists on marrying her off to Sitti, a woman betrothed to her from birth.

Astri, a 16-year-old transgender lady, is forced to leave her lover Tambulah to honor the family promise to Sitti. In one scene, Tambulah pleads with Astri to run away and go to Sabah to escape their fate. But Astri refuses and understands the consequences if she follows Tambulah's request.

Astri knows that her relationship with Tambulah is doomed. But Tambulah is determined to be with her. In one scene, Astri tells him, "You're a man. Soon you'll marry someone with a pussy." Tambulah asks, "How can I get you off this wedding?" Astri answers, "Unless another man offers to marry Sitti."

The next morning, Tambulah steals the dowry money and runs away with it. At the end of the film, we see Astri performing the traditional dance for the newlywed couple, who are none other than Tambulah and Sitti. It implies that Tambulah could not bear to see Astri marry Sitti, so he sacrificed his happiness for her.

The Sama Dilaut, also known as the Badjao, is part of the Moro group or tribes in Mindanao. They face discrimination and marginalization by both the Moro society and the Philippine society, where LGBTQIA+ identities are frowned upon and suppressed. The Badjao are considered "the most obscure, misunderstood, and marginalized among the Filipino ethnic-linguistic groups", as they struggle to preserve their culture and livelihood in the face of modernization and displacement.

This film is a valuable representation of a marginalized group in Filipino society. It gives voice and visibility to their struggles and invites us to empathize with them. By portraying the complex and diverse identities of the Sama Dilaut, the film challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that they face.

As someone with a deep curiosity about the Badjao culture and traditions, it would be interesting to see a filmmaker from within this ethno-linguistic group, who reveals their truth and perspective. I eagerly await the day when a Badjao individual will beautifully convey their narrative, whether through the written word or images.

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Watch the full short film below: