Our democracy
will die / Kung wala si Magsaysay
-a line from
Magsaysay’s presidential campaign jingle, 1952
Every March 17th
of the year serves as the death anniversary of a great president, Ramon
Magsaysay, who died 55 years ago in a plane crash. Of all the leaders, he was
the most charismatic and the most influential – his leadership style was
constantly duplicated but never equaled by presidents after him. I dedicate
this piece to him in his memory and also to remind the readers of an
unparalleled icon in Filipino leadership.
For the masses, many Filipino leaders have
come and gone. Yet, they believed they have all been found wanting. Come
election time, millions of eligible voters have placed high expectations on
their bets (as if voting isn’t akin to gambling) – putting their stakes on
their choice candidates. Sadly, as in
the gambling houses or outlets, they are stuck with losers. Unlike a regular
gambling bet, many are forced to ride out the loss for six straight years –
there are no winners. After 1945 and 1986, it seems the Filipino masses were
destined to bear the yoke from 380 years of misery – if not for that small
break of hope in 1952.
Many historians would claim Ramon
Magsaysay was a puppet to humanize American capitalism. But to the simple
barrio folk whose lives he touched, he was something else. In spite of that
taint, he truly strove to work (on) the mandate bestowed upon him. Long before Erap
took to taking the image of a populist leader, Magsaysay projected that ideal
60 years ago.
The son of a blacksmith and a
schoolteacher, Magsaysay was born in Iba, Zambales on August 31, 1907.
He studied in the University of the
Philippines in 1927 and worked as a part-time chauffeur to help pay his way to
college. In 1928, he transferred to the Institute of Commerce at José Rizal
College where he graduated in 1932 and received a baccalaureate in commerce. He
then worked as an automobile mechanic and shop superintendent.
At a time when the Communist threat was at
its height, America was anxious to curb Soviet influence in Asia. At the same
time, the problem with the Huks also worried the US and the Quirino
administration in the Philippines. A popular sentiment then was that Communists
have infiltrated the peasant rebel ranks. Though such suspicions were
unfounded, the issues pressed by the Huks were not. Abuses against farmers were
rife and their sentiments were that the government doesn’t care for their
plight. Here then enters Ramon Magsaysay.
He came to understand their grievances,
having been from humble origins as they were. Through his efforts and the
common touch he exuded, the people of the barrios found in him the voice they
needed for the Philippine government to hear. Though many criticized some of
his actions as unwise nevertheless, he was the only one who thought of bringing
the government to the people. For so long, the masses have been ignored by
government – and this indifference has been long been (in) existence, for 380 years
to be exact. He may have led unwisely but at least he led the people well (or the best that he can).
History would have wondered what would
have been had President Magsaysay lived. In later years, many would put forth
conspiracy theories surrounding the nature of the accident. The tragic plane
crash on March 17, 1957 left a nation bereft of its beloved leader. He was to
end his presidency on December 30th of that year. After attending to
speaking engagements in Cebu, he left for Manila on March 16 at 1 a.m. in the
morning. The whereabouts of the plane were unknown until the afternoon of March
17 when it was reported that the plane crashed into Mt. Manunggal in Cebu. He
would have fully gone on to change things for the better had he served out his
remaining months in office.
Even till now, the nation longs for another
like him. Such is our great loss.
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