As Vice President Leni Robredo and running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan opened their widely attended campaign caravan in Naga City yesterday, members of their senatorial slate also showed up to introduce themselves to the public — one of them being former Ifugao representative Teddy Baguilat, who showed up to the proclamation rally in a bahag, a traditional loincloth worn in Cordilleran culture in northern Luzon.
The mountainous Cordillera region is home to the Cordillera indigenous peoples (IP), also referred to collectively as “Igorots,” or people of the mountain.
On social media, Baguilat wrote, “Ang aking laban ay laban ng bawat Filipino na nagmamahal sa kanilang kultura at tradisyon. Katutubo naman sa Senado! (My fight is the fight of every Filipino who loves their culture and traditions. Let’s get an IP in the Senate!)”
Social media raved about Baguilat representing his indigenous roots, and called him a “genuine representation for indigenous communities in the Senate.”
I just love how VP Leni and Sen. Kiko’s slate truly screams REPRESENTATION. I grew up just seeing rich candidates in popular slates, but now, I’m seeing Sir Teddy Baguilat genuinely representing his roots as a member of an indigenous group. #AngatBuhayLahat #KulayRosasAngBukas pic.twitter.com/GvZi8j48Yu
— elaine🌸 (@eastwestelle) February 8, 2022
TEDDY BAGUILAT WEARING A BAHAG FOR THE ROBREDO-PANGILINAN GRAND PROCLAMATION RALLY IS A SIGN OF HIM BEING PROUD OF HIS ROOTS AND BEING A VOICE FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THAT NEEDS TO BE AMPLIFIED.#AngatBuhayLahat #KulayRosasAngBukas #TeddyBaguilat
— miggyboi 🦀 (@migoI_) February 8, 2022
Please PLEASE vote for sir Teddy Baguilat. Its high time our indigenous communities are properly represented in the senate. This way, we can protect our culture and help far rural areas, particularly the tribal communities in the mountains #KatutuboSaSenado https://t.co/nlyHtWrr0f
— jules (@miragtchln) February 8, 2022
If elected, Baguilat will be the first lawmaker of indigenous descent elected to the Senate.
READ: Pink ‘kalesas’ or carriages trot through streets on heels of Robredo’s campaign kickoff
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