Hundreds mark death anniversary of ‘the guy’

CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds went to Barangay Sunog in Balamban town, Cebu, to mark the 56th death anniversary of former President Ramon Magsaysay yesterday.

His only son, former senator Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay Jr. personally led the laying of the wreath at his father's monument near the crash site in Mt. Manunggal.

Jun's son, Paco, several mountainers, residents and local officials also paid tribute to the late president, who is known as the "People's President" and is arguably the most beloved of Philippine presidents.

Magsaysay was known for his simplicity and being an unassuming person said Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy in a press conference yesterday.  Sitoy recalled that when he was still a high school student of the Abellana National High School, he wrote the former president about their complaints that they were made to work with some carpenters in the construction of the school's grandstand.

Sitoy said that Magsaysay, wearing a simple shirt with no bodyguards, went to the school and looked for the school principal and immediately ordered the stoppage of the said construction work.

Vic Dumon, son of former Cebu Rep. Tereso Dumon also recalled that the former president had his last supper in their house before the fatal plane crash that killed 27 people on board.  Only journalist Nestor Mata survived.

The former president's son said that his father was in a hurry to get back home to Manila as it was a Sunday the following day and he usually had breakfast and then went to Mass with his family.

Francisco Noya, now 76, was 20 years old when he saw what remained of the president's plane, the Mt. Pinatubo, shortly after the crash.

"Nasunog gyud ang presidente.  Akong nakita nga wala na siyang ilong ug dunggan. Unya sa iyang mga kamot naa pa ang iyang relo ug singsing," Noya recalled in an interview with the media.

Jun, who is running again as senator, skipped yesterday's Team PNoy rally in Baguio City to lead the commemoration rites of his father's death anniversary here. — (FREEMAN)