Inspiration from an indigenous group in the Philippines is the victory of a tribal leader of the native Palawians in Rizal, Palawan.
According to Inquirer's report, 77-year-old Otol Odi was proclaimed as the new mayor in Rizal, Palawan after earning 8,575 votes, while his closest rival Cesar Magsaysay earned 4,814 votes.
Tatay Odi was born and raised in Rizal town. Although he did not attend high school, he was primarily educated.
He believes that education can help his or her native people to grow their livelihood.
“Ito lang ang aming paraan upang umunlad ang aming buhay, ang edukasyon. (This is the only way we could improve our lives, through education),” he said.Unlike his competitors spending the campaign, Tatay Odi relied solely on the support of other tribal leaders in their hometown. He was also supported by native Palaw'an and Tau't Bato in his campaign.
According to Palawan News, Tatay Odi also has a 20-year experience in the captivity of Barangay Punta Baja. He did not even lose every time he was captain or barangay captain because he protected his clean name.
“Kung walang lalaban, paano na ang aming bayan? Hindi ko kayang tingnan na dayuhan ang mamumuno sa amin at ang mga katutubo ay walang nagagawa habang ang kanilang lupa ay nakukuha na ng ibang tao at malalaking negosyante,” said Tatay Odi.
Tumihay from the Tau't Bato tribe in one of the cave structures looking for birds to hunt with his blowgun
Tatay Odi is a symbol of political hopes in the Philippines. He will replace the incumbent municipal mayor Norman Ong.
Rizal Municipality is politically subdivided into 11 barangays. According to the Census 2015, its population reaches 50,096 people.
Image from Wikipedia / Mike Gonzalez
The people are known to the native Tau't Bato who live in caves.
READ: MEET: Juda Diklay, 1st from Palawan's Indigenous Tau’t Bato tribe to Graduate from University
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