DAVAO CITY – The tribal partylist Sulong Katribu said it will support the semi-finalist Reynan Del-anay in the national television’s reality show, The Voice Kids season 2.
Reynan Del-anay is an 11-year old Tigwahanon Manobo from Bukidnon, one of the four semi-finalist. On his audition, the three judges turned chairs as he sang his piece, Tagumpay Nating Lahat.
When asked by the one of the judges on why he joined the contest, he said he wanted “to inspire not only his tribe, but all tribes in the Philippines and should not be ashamed of what we have and who we are, because the things that make us unique (as a people) are the very same things that may contribute to our country’s development.”
Sulong Katribu Partylist spokesperson Dulphing Ogan said that they are proud that among their ranks, Del-anay has been featured and celebrated on national TV.
“We will support Reynan all the way,” said Ogan
But Ogan said that “as much as we celebrate Reynan’s journey, we cannot sustain a festive spirit while a big number of our indigenous peoples are subject to relentless persecution, their lands exposed to encroachment, and their culture prone to bastardization.”
Ogan added that there are many talented Reynans among indigenous youth, but the “lack of social services result to the stunted development of indigenous communities.”
He said that there will be more Reynans sharing their talents and skills in the country if genuine and sustainable development projects are implemented.
Sulong Katribu said that education continues to be one of the basic problems of their communities that still lack.
The group said this will worsen the Department of Education ordered lumads schools to be closed where these schools are built through the help of non-government organizations, religious groups, and other support groups. (davaotoday.com)
