THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 3, 1995 TAG: 9508010084
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jon Glass, Staff Writer
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines
PHILIP ODANGO'S MOM thinks he should become a writer, but his dad wants him to consider politics. His 12-year-old son could become Virginia's first Filipino governor, he says, with a twinkle in his eyes.
As for Philip, a rising seventh-grader at Northside Middle, he thinks he might like to become a photojournalist, or maybe an illustrator of children's books. Either choice would seem to be a natural.
Teachers have discovered that Philip has an extraordinary drawing ability. His sixth-grade teacher at the Stuart Gifted Center said she was amazed at a cartoon he drew after a class that explored humor as a way to learn. The class had discussed the work of cartoonist Gary Larson, the creator of ``The Far Side,'' and his offbeat way of using animals to produce laughs.
The cartoon Philip produced featured a praying mantis officiating at a wedding of two black widow spiders. Philip, knowing that the female black widows often eat their mates, played off that.
In the cartoon, the ``preacher'' says: ``. . . And I now pronounce you . .
``Burp!'' the widow says.
``I've been teaching gifted kids for eight or nine years, and I have never seen one of my kids draw like that and come up with an idea like that,'' teacher Jane Boserman said.
To entertain himself, Philip creates new cartoon characters based on comic book heroes and animated Saturday morning television shows. He also likes books and to draw pictures of what he has read.
While he has an aptitude in things artistic, Philip also shares his dad's interest in politics. In fact, he already has had a taste of elective office: As a sixth-grader, his peers elected him secretary of the Student Council. In the coming year, he plans to run for council vice president.
Why not president? ``A lot of times, no one else wants it (the vice presidency) so you automatically win,'' Philip said.
His dad, Eugenio Odango, a U.S. Navy petty officer first class, laughed: ``That's only a learning stage to being a politician.''
And learning, in Philip Odango's family, counts for a lot. Eugenio and Bridgida Odango say their No. 1 priority is to ensure that their four children get a good education.
``I've been down there, I started from nothing; I've never been to college,'' said Eugenio Odango, who immigrated from the Philippines in the late 1970s and joined the Navy. His father was a World War II veteran, and his older brother also enlisted in the military.
``Even if I have to work three jobs I will send my kids to college,'' he said. ``I tell my kids that the only way to succeed is to study hard and do your best. In my dreams and hopes they'll finish their college. That's the only wealth I can give them.''
Philip's mom, Bridgida, taught high school English and chemistry in the Philippines. She keeps close tabs on Philip and his three sisters: Aurora just graduated from Granby High School and is going to a business school; Josephine, 8, will enter third grade at Ocean View this fall; and Amethyst is on a waiting list at a new state-funded preschool program for 4-year-olds at Oceanair Elementary.
``In our society now education is the most important thing in their lives,'' she said. ``Without it, you can end up on the street or in jail, and I don't want that to happen to my son. He understands that. Sometimes I'm worried as a parent, because the influence from outside is pretty convincing - that's why I monitor their progress in school.''
The Odangos said it was important to instill in their children a knowledge of and respect for Filipino culture, even as they assimilate the American way of life. Philip can speak Tagalog, the Filipino national language.
``I like the kids to speak two languages,'' she said.
Philip, an honor roll student who is in the school system's gifted program, approaches his education with linear logic: ``If you don't have an education you won't have a job; without a job you won't have any money; without any money you won't have a life.''
This summer, he is attending Junior University at Ruffner Middle. The program is for middle school students who score in the top 5 percent nationwide on standardized tests and is associated with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
His mom said Philip wants to go to the city library near his home every day and belongs to an ``Amazing Kids'' reading program sponsored by city libraries. Recently, he was reading Shakespeare's ``A Midsummer Night's Dream.''
Teacher Boserman said Philip had expressed interest in becoming a gardener. He helps his parents tend a small garden plot at their Ocean View home that is lush with long, green Filipino beans, tomatoes and other vegetables.
``I enjoy watering and protecting them,'' Philip said, ``and just watching them grow new vegetables.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JON GLASS
Twelve-year-old Philip Odango has amazed his teachers with his
drawing ability.
Drawing
This cartoon captured the attention of Philip's teacher at the
Stuart Gifted Center.
by CNB