The Saysay (Worth) of Monching Magsaysay
“Too much people’s money spent but
there is no honest government”. This
statement might reflect the current state of the Philippines which is now being
embroiled with the Napoles pork barrel scam. Actually, it is a line from a
famous political jingle, the Mambo
Magsaysay, used by President Ramon “Monching”
Magsaysay when he ran for president in 1953.
It seems our country had not changed since the past sixty years. We will never
have a president like Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay. We could have a future Manuel
Quezon, Gloria Arroyo or even a Gloria Arroyo but never a Monching, a president who is a true man of the masses or in his
words of the common tao.
Actually, my fascination with Monching manifested only when I was in
college. History lessons in elementary and high school mentioned him but simply
as the “man of the masses without any further elaboration. My teachers then would
say that President Marcos was the greatest president the Philippines had ever
had. This is understandable since I was a native of Ilocos Norte, the home
province of Marcos, and that my parents and teachers met him when he was alive.
However, that changed during my first year in college when I took up Kasaysayan (History) class and our
professor required us to submit an article or term paper regarding periods of
Philippine history. Luckily for me, I was given to write about the life of
President Magsaysay. I lost my article when my old computer broke down but I
still remember the books, old newspaper articles, and online article that I
scoured in the different libraries in UP Diliman about him. His character, works,
achievements, and anecdotes about him made a big impression on me. To this day,
I still remember what he had done. I also asked my parents and older people who
were alive when he was a president and all of them gave a good impression on
him. It confirmed my impression on him that he is a president sui generis or a class of his own.
To put it simply, Monching made the Philippine presidency
worthwhile (may saysay). When he was
elected as president in 1953, he broke a lot of the tradition or stereotype of a
Philippine president. First, his name was first one that was not of Spanish or
Chinese origin (e.g. Quezon, Aguinaldo etc). What could have been a fitting
name for the first populist president but one derived from the masses? Second,
he was the first to be born during the 1900s and the first one not to be
associated with the old guards of Philippine politics. He was a breath of fresh
air from the usual stiff, elitist politicians. Third, he was the first to wear
a barong in his presidential portrait
unlike his predecessor who wore coat and tie (very uncomfortable in our
tropical weather).That image alone was a big testament on how different he was.
The barong was the dress of the
masses during their weddings, funerals or any occasions. Fourth, he was the
first president who did not take up in law or liberal arts either in UP or UST.
He was a mechanical engineering from the Jose Rizal University and worked as a
mechanic in a bus company unlike the previous presidents who worked as lawyers,
soldiers or full-time politicians.
During the Second World War, he
joined Filipino guerillas in their fight against the Japanese invaders and
subsequently given some medals and awards. After the war, he returned to his
former occupation but it will not to be long before the country will need his
service. The war had ravaged the Philippines and created societal and political
disorder. The Huks, who used to fight
the Japanese, had now turned against the newly established Philippine Republic.
It was weak then as it is recovering from the war. In fact, the Philippine
military was so weak and demoralized that the Huks easily captured some Philippine provinces. The Huks were so strong that even their
leader Luis Taruc could even go to Manila without fear of being captured. The Huks were nearing the outskirts of Manila,
ready to make the country a Communist state. It does not help too that then
incumbent President Elpidio Quirino was corrupt. He used his position to enrich
himself and his political affiliates as well as to rig the elections. In this
dire moment when Philippine democracy was at standstill, President Quirino
appointed Magsaysay as his Defense Secretary. He made the right choice as
Magsaysay easily solved the Huk
problem. Knowing that its root cause were poverty and land problem, he give
free lands in Mindanao to those rebels who surrendered (most of them were
landless farmers). He also admonished and disciplined soldiers who committed
abuses to civilians. He knows that in order to regain the people’s confidence,
he need to show that the government is sincere. As for the rebel leaders, he
captured them but gave them a fair trial. His methods would prove to be
successful as he eradicated the rebellion in less than two years. By then, his
popularity was soaring that he became a strong candidate to the presidency. Despite
the allegations that Quirino (who ran for reelection) would use dirty tactics
to win the presidency, Magsaysay, basking on his popularity, easily won a landslide
victory in 1953. A key for his victory was his nationwide campaign where he went
to far-flung places in the Philippines to reach out the voters. It was the
first in Philippine history and was emulated by future presidents.
His greatness did not end there. As
soon as he was elected, he opened Malacanang
to the people. For the first time and maybe the only time (it was never
repeated again), people from the masses entered Malacanang to ask the President to solve their local problems such
as irrigations, medicines and scholarships. Though he could not grant all these
requests, his act showed his sincerity to reach out the people. There were also
anecdotes regarding his humility and affinity with the poor. One time, he ate
sardines with common folks using his hands. His administration was also the
first to institute a true agrarian reform. He knew that agrarian problem was
the root cause of the Huk rebellion. Economic
and social programs that would benefit the poor were also initiated as well as
the building of infrastructures, roads, schools and irrigation systems. Because
of these, the Philippines posted a high economic growth during the 1950s and
1960s, one of the fastest in Asia. Yet the Lord took him too early. In 1957,
just before he would face reelection, he died on an airplane crash in Cebu. It
was said that about 2 million Filipinos attended his funeral in Manila
(consider that we had a smaller population then). The nation grieved for losing
a great leader that truly listened and cared for them.
In recognition for his role in Asia
(he was also influential in Asia); the Ramon Magsaysay Award was founded to
give awards to men and women who dedicated their lives for their people. Nicknamed
the “Nobel Prize of Asia”, it is usually given on September after his birthday
in August 31. Probably the most important legacy of “Monching” Magsaysay was
his concern and his sincerity in helping the masses. He made them worthy (may saysay) knowing that common tao were valuable for the preservation
of Philippine democracy. Future presidents from Marcos, Ramos and Estrada had
tried to copy his methods but none of them equaled him in terms of popularity,
good reputation, and charisma.
I hope the life of Monching would be read by my generation
and future generations, not just Filipinos but also other people. He showed
that one could be simple, humble, honest, hardworking even if he is a politiko. He is my guy, Magsaysay. As
his jingle sang:” Mambo, Mambo Magsaysay,
Mabu-mabuhay. Our democracy will die kung wala si Magsaysay”.
Images Source:
P.S.
I actually wrote this as an article. Quite happy because incidentally the topic is about a hero. Yes he is my favorite president. It was his birthday last August 31. FYI: Jim Paredes has a second name Ramon because as he confirmed on Twitter, his parents named him after Monching.
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