RAIN OF FIRE

Idol of the masses
CEASAR G. BONILLA

LAOAG CITY – Alleged kidnappers have reportedly been roaming around the city and parts of Ilocos Norte. A lady friend of mine told me that suspicious-looking men stuck on them inside a restaurant where “Iomi” was served. A husky man with a long hair looked maliciously at them. She began to be nervous as the guys showed unusual interest on them. They rode a tricycle, but the suspected group of alleged kidnappers reportedly followed them aboard a blue van every direction on their way home. ***
At a crowd of people, the van reportedly sped away. My fried said that there is a veracity of the news about kidnapping of children and the like based on her own experience. May our law enforcers continue their vigilance to stop the heartless criminals who are moving to and fro within the province.
***
There is no doubt Manny Pacquiao won the crown as World Boxing Council super-featherweight champion after a 12-round split decision against Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, the defending champion. Some boxing critics were not impressed with the victory of Pacquiao for it was Marquez, according to them, who delivered the heavy punches on Pacquiao.

But Golden Boy matchmaker Samson Lewkowics and WBC lightweight Champion David Diaz said they were convinced that Manny won the fight because he was stronger, faster, and more aggressive. The misconception that the judges of the “Unfinished Business” erred in their decision was an insult to their ability. They have seen the fight up close between Pacquiao and Marquez. There are some techniques or rules in boxing.
***
Just like the Binibining Pilipinas-Miss World in the person of Janina San Miguel who was also criticized was the laughing stock because of her alleged bad English. If we mock the victory of our fellow Filipinos, that would be an insult to the panel of the board of judges who unanimously chose Janina as one of the winners. An underdog can excel against the others so never judge a book by its cover.
***
Holy Week has a message to tell for Christian religious believers like great sacrifice, meditation and the realization that love thrives only on the fertile soil of humility. Indeed, the distinguishing mark of the Christian is to love all members of the human race including whose who hate him, those who wish do him evil, even those who persecute him and may have done him harm.

To love even your enemies is the true challenge of the Christian. It is beyond the natural tendency of human nature. To love those who love you and hate those who hate you is the natural emotional response. But Jesus Christ must be the living symbol of our mortal journey here on earth which shows that regardless of unpleasant circumstances and notwithstanding the trials we have encountered in this world, our constant devotion to God will never change or will be overcome by negative elements.

It is very said to note that many who call themselves Christians including many in Christian institutions do not fully live their Christianity. This does not mean that Christianity has failed but that Christianity has not really been tried. Attempts are being made but total success has not been achieved. I am not a moralist but based on my own observation, some people are not devoted to the deeper meaning of the seven days commiseration of the passion and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, which is called “Holy Week.”
***
The observance of the Holy Week takes precedence over human weaknesses and irrational interpretation of the crucifixion of the Messiah. We are called the only Christian nation in Asia but look at what is going on around us. Robbers, kidnappers, and killers continue to terrorize our society even during Holy Week. Sensual pleasure during such time, is manifested by pseudo-Christians’ mockery of Lent along the seashore, picnic areas complete with videoke and playing cards.
***
Jesus Christ died for us and His flagellation is a symbol of our sinfulness. The new commandment of Jesus Christ based on the gospel of St. John (13:34) is that “to love one another.” Jesus said those words after he had washed the feet of the apostles. But one should bear in mind what Jesus did before he gave his new commandment. He first gave His apostles a lesson in humility conveying to them the idea that love thrives only with humility.

The humble can more readily forgive than the proud, be more childlike, more simple and less extravagant than the proud and definitely more Christ like than the proud. Well and good, but one should not take pride in one’s humility. With this commandment, our Lord has a message to tell to all Christian believers -- to make this country great again by embracing the virtues of love, sharing, and humility. ***
On March 17, 1957, the nation was stunned and stricken with grief when the news was flashed on the radio and in the newspapers that the Presidential plane, Mt. Pinatubo, which carried the President and his entourage, crashed on the slopes of Mt. Manunggal in Cebu President Ramon F. Magsaysay, the Idol of the Masses, is dead. The plane, which became a total wreck, was coming back to Manila from Cebu, where Magsaysay had a hectic schedule of inspections and speech-making before university audiences and other groups. The lone survivor of the tragic crash was Nestor Mata, a newspaperman.

From the mouth of a brilliant lawyer and senator, Arturo M. Tolentino, Magsaysay was, indeed, a man of the masses, the type of man whom we needed in the hour of distress when God gave him to us. God, in His Infinite Wisdom, has always seen fit to send a Saviour or a Redeemer. When, in this fair land of ours, democracy seemed to have been doomed and freedom itself was imperiled, God raised Ramon Magsaysay from obscurity so that, like a shining star, he might shed the light of faith and hope upon a bewildered, frightened people.

Another impressive account of Magsaysay’s leadership was elaborated by the late President Carlos P. Garcia who served as Vice President of the Magsaysay government. “Ramon Magsaysay’s most imperishable works are those that he wrought among the least and lowliest of his people. Neglected and ignored for centuries, untended and uncared for by their leaders, the masses of our people had begun to lose faith and hope in the government.

The late Senator Arturo Tolentino said: “Perhaps guided by the same Diving Inspiration, the older and more experienced political leaders of this country wisely and unselfishly abandon their own personal ambitions and work together to elevate the politically inexperienced common man. Magsaysay had become a symbol for renewed faith in a democracy and freedom and had become a rallying point for the people threatened with division.”

In my own analysis about the life of the Guy, Magsaysay’s administration was marked chiefly by its unflinching commitment to the cause of the common people. His acts bespoke of truth, integrity, and justice. That he could send even his own father to jail if found guilty of corruption was a manifestation of sincerity to build an upright and honest government. One of his first acts was to open the gates of Malacanang to the masses, for he believed that the people were the real seat of sovereignty and that the President was but a servant of the people. He had no gold, dollars or millions of pesos deposited in well-known banks here and abroad during his Presidency. He may not have been the brilliant or wisest leader of the country but he had the common touch which was more potent than the pedagogical and magniloquent gesture of politician those times.

Just like our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Magsaysay is a good model to all our leaders. His death is a great loss if there was no one who would have the guts and spirit to follow his philosophy. Corruption has betrayed the principles which Magsaysay fought at Plaza Miranda.