On renaming 'MANUNGGAL': Alcover sorry for hasty move

CEBU, Philippines - Representative Pastor Alcover, Jr. of the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) Partylist has apologized to Cebuano legislators for not consulting them when he filed a bill that seeks to rename Mount Manunggal in Balamban town.

Alcover has proposed to change the name to Mount Ramon F. Magsaysay.

In a press conference yesterday, Alcover admitted lapses in filing House Bill 4125, but explained he rushed the filing because he wanted the discussion to be in time with the annual trek to Mount Manunggal, which is held every March 17, to commemorate the death of Former President Ramon Magsaysay.

It was in Mount Manunggal where “Mt. Pinatubo,” the plane carrying Magsaysay out of Cebu, crashed on March 17, 1957.

Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia earlier said that while the mountain is located within his district, he could not support Alcover’s proposal because he would need to consult the residents in Balamban.

Garcia said that while he believes Magsaysay deserves to be honored, Alcover should also take into consideration the long history and tradition surrounding Mt. Manunggal.

Alcover said that so far, the bill is being supported by two immediate members of the Magsaysay family in Congress - Representatives Ma. Milagros Magsaysay and Eulogio Magsaysay.

Both reportedly believe that it is high time that their grandfather’s good deeds when he was president are recognized and naming the mountain after him is one way of doing so. Magsaysay has earned the reputation of being a champion of the masses.

Alcover urged the Cebuano legislators to lay their suggestions out during the discussion at the committee in Congress and asked them to co-author the bill.

Alcover said the word “Manunggal” sounds like, and could easily be associated with, “Manananggal” which, in Filipino folklore, is a creature who can separate its body in half from its waist and preys on human heart.

 “This possibility that Mount Manunggal could be mistakenly associated with a pejorative word might have an unintended consequence on the significance of Mount Manunggal to Philippine history or even to the name of the man intimately connected with the place,” Alcover said.

Alcover said that should the bill be passed into law, ANAD will spearhead efforts to protect the mountain and promote it as an eco-tourism destination. He said the area has the potential of being a tourist destination.   (FREEMAN NEWS)