Remembering Magsaysay on Mt. Manunggal

Peace. Progress. Prosperity. These marked the "short but very meaningful governance" of former Philippine President Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay tagged "Champion of the Masses".

His desire to address the insurgency problems that hounded the administration of his predecessor Elpidio Quirino had given way to an intensified campaign against the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon or Hukbalahap guerillas, in one of the most successful anti-guerilla campaigns in modern times.

It was said that success was due in part to the unconventional methods he employed, one of which was utilizing soldiers to distribute relief goods and other forms of aid to outlying, provincial communities.

This has restored among people faith in governance, and established both urban and rural progress. Before Magsaysay assumed post as Defense Secretary, the rural folk looked on the Philippine Army with distrust or general apathy. During Magsaysay's term, Filipinos began to respect and admire their soldiers.

A trivia mentioned that in the novel "Starship Troopers" by Robert Heinlein (on page 218), Filipino protagonist Juan Rico lauded Magsaysay as one who could be the "chief of psychological warfare if he were alive today. "

Mt. Pinatubo on Mt. Manunggal

It was reported that on March 16, he left Manila for Cebu City where he was guest speaker for commencement exercises in three educational institutions. On the early morning of March 17, he boarded the presidential plane Mt. Pinatubo, a Douglas-C47, supposedly back to Manila.

But his plane was declared missing early that day. It was only late in the afternoon when newspapers reported the "Gooney Bird" had crashed on Mt. Manunggal. Of the 26 passengers, including Magsaysay, only newspaperman Nestor Mata of the Philippine Herald survived.

The tragedy had vested Mt. Manunggal a place in history. Every year, she becomes the site of grand reunion of trekkers, troopers, campers, nature lovers, adventure racers, mountaineers, and families of those who perished.

These people either ascend the trail-via Tabunan or the Kurus-Kurus (eskina Transcentral Highway) routes-or commute to participate in the community's commemoration and enjoy nature at its best. They partake of the blanket of mist and the gust of the wind of Magsaysay's peace.

"He was remembered as a marvelous, sincere guy whose values should serve as golden standard. His stint as third president of the Third Republic, and 7th president of the Philippines from December 30, 1953 up to that ill-fated day, marked the golden age of Philippine politics," says Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in a speech after the ceremonial wreath laying in commemoration of Magsaysay's 50th death anniversary last March 17, Saturday, in Mt. Manunggal, Balamban town.

"His is an enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations to go for the highest ideals-as high as the highest peak in Balamban," Garcia said.

Tourism Undersecretary Phineas Alburo said he was in second year high school at the time of the crash. "Daghan nanghilak adto pagkahitabo-a. Best example man gud si Magsaysay sa usa ka public servant. He opened the gates to the public kay para niya ang Malacañang is a House of the People. He won the people's respect and love pinaagi sa iyang baroganan nga those who have less in life should have more in law," Alburo said.

"It is our duty now to remember how to serve," Alburo reminds leaders and those who are currently seeking the people's mandate.

Also, Paco Magsaysay, son of Senator Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay, Jr. and the eldest of the late president's grandchildren, cited "di ko talaga nakita ang lolo Monching namin kasi I'm only 39. But we lived to the memories of our lolo and we are honored to find you Cebuanos sustaining this activity. Nakakataba po ng puso. We can feel how much you love the man. As for us, we strive to continue to live to his virtues of integrity and hard work. "

Paco assisted National Historical Institute executive director Ludovico Badoy in the turnover of copies of the book "Life and Times of Ramon Magsaysay" to said barangay.

Also it was announced that a photo exhibit on "Paghandom ni Magsaysay" is going on at the Mango Square Mall until March 25.

Strongest link

For fifteen years already, the trek has "slowly developed in some" the love of the great outdoors. To a neophyte climber, Manunggal is "cool for its moderate trail fit for fun climbs, and its accessibility. "

The annual adventure trek has given way for some to appreciate the importance of mountains and of mountain people; and of policies to enhance and sustain them. It encourages mountaineers, climbers and hill walkers to value the freedom to enjoy the natural environment of mountains and cliffs with responsible access; to practice mountaineering sports compatibly with conservation and sustainability of nature; to believe that freedom sports promote important human and social values (most especially those exemplified by Magsaysay); to protect the wilderness of mountains and cliffs recognizing their environmental value and fragility; to accept personal responsibility supported by codes of good conduct; and to contribute to sustainable growth of mountain tourism.

Also, the local government of Balamban has participated in the event since five years ago, with the construction of access roads to Manunggal and comfort room facilities at the campsite. The University of San Jose-Recoletos has adopted barangay Magsaysay, constructed a chapel in the area, and that catechists taught in the community.

For three years now, San Miguel Coporation has sponsored show band performances for evening entertainment. It is also heartwarming to note that one of two bands last Saturday covered Bisaya rock songs. Prior to that, Bisrock songs were also played while organizers were preparing for the wreath-laying ceremony; a healthy indicator of the already wide acceptance of the Bisrock movement.

Weakest link

Garbage disposal is a perennial problem on Mt. Manunggal since mountain tourism was introduced through annual treks. Mountaineers are trained to carry with them home their garbage, but not all up there were mountaineers. So that in the late afternoon last Saturday, organizers had to keep on reminding campers that the area was religiously cleaned up hours before the event by community residents, and that maintenance is highly demanded!

To recall, Manunggal became home overnight to groups of people who praise the mountains and worship the outdoors in March 2002, a date hard to forget. This was because organizers tolerated the display of fireworks. The activity had succeeded in perking up the merriment that night, but it also took its toll by badly hitting a tent owned by our friend Mike, of the VECO group, just two tents away from ours.

Obviously, too many people didn't understand why they were there, what the activity was all about, and how they were supposed to behave in a camp. In 2002, a group of campers made a bonfire but never even cared to pick up their litter during the pullout time. This year, the campsite at Mt. Magsaysay turned into a circus and had the air of a barrio fiesta.

Not a touch of the Magsaysay virtue of integrity was ever commemorated by those who allowed the setup of a makeshift cockpit arena, made rowdier by the cacophonous yells of cock handlers and unruly bettors - campers included.

It was frustrating also to find out that, even if the spirit of mountaineering has been strongly propagated here, some participants of the adventure race last Saturday nearly got us rolling down the mountainside while we negotiated a very narrow muddy path towards a cliff where we planned to take photographs. The racers did not even give a second for all of us to pass through first, as they shoved their way from the opposite direction saying "excuse, excuse" halfheartedly, nearly throwing us on our knees.

"Maayo pa sa syudad wa ta mabangga-i. Dinhi no-on sa kabagnotan, banggaan ka'g mga edukado nga gagmay'g utok. Pagka mga gara gyud uy," grumbled an upset companion.

"Frustrated sad ko gamay. Daghan wala kahibalo gani nganong naay Magsaysay trek. Wa man sila kaila. Ako bitaw gipangutana, nya ang gitubag sa mga batan-on nangari sila 'rong adlawa tungod sa kalingawan," shares Felicito Amaquin, a retired teacher of the University of San Carlos Girls High - Grade School Department.

At 64, Sir Lito, who used to teach Social Studies, fulfilled a dream (long overdue!) of reaching Mt. Manunggal for the first time.

"Dugay na ko nag-dream makaari. Karon lang gyud nahitabo nga retired na ko. Nindot man sad nga kabahin ka sa paghandom sa mga maayong gawi ug mga maayong nabuhat ni Magsaysay. It saddens me lang nga akong mga nakasabay nga mga bata sa dump truck padu'ng dri wala may knowledge kon unsa ang na-contribute ni Magsaysay sa Philippine governance," laments Amaquin.

"Pinakapait gyud kay sige sila kantyaw sa mga nag-abot-abot nga mga visitors nga klaro kaayong mora'g namista. Nahilom lang sila pag-agi ninyo (referring to me and my companion) kay nakakita sila's inyong gear and backpack. Ingon sila kini ay klarong mountaineer," he added.