Amidst the Rage

Chapter 05

Chapter 05

Nang makarating sa 7/11 ay namili kaagad kami ni Tiff ng afford naming pagkain. Syempre wala kaming choice kundi ang tig-trenta ditong value meal na iniinit lamang sa isang oven sa loob ng isa hanggang dalawang minuto.

Dalawang giniling na may kanin ang binili ko habang tuna omelette at giniling naman kay Tiff. Kumuha din kaming dalawa ng tubig dahil na rin sa sobrang uhaw at pagkadehydrate.

Nang makarating kami sa cashier ay kaagad naman nitong pinunch ang aming order para makabayad na kami at masuklian. Dagli muna kaming naghintay ng iilang minuto bago namin nakuha ang aming pagkain.

Umupo na kami sa isang bakanteng lamesa at nag-umpisa nang kumain. Amoy na amoy ko ang halimuyak ng giniling na binili ko, natakam na ako kaya walang pasubali ko itong kinain.

"Sino sagot mo sa greatest president sa pinas?" tanong ni Tiff.

"Nabibwisit na ako puro tungkol sa law at politika ang mga tanong! Sa pagkakaalam ko maga-entre ako." I said a bit irritated and pouted.

Inirapan naman ako ni Tiff, "Salamat sa pagsagot sa tanong ko ha." sarkastiko nitong sambit.

Sinubo ko ang huling kutsara sa unang karton at nilunok ito, "As far as I remember there's no such great president that happens in the Philippines?"

"Of course you don't know who's the greatest kasi di ka naman mahilig sa history, right?" sabi niya at umirap.

"Shoot!" I said at parang kinasa ang invisible gun sa kamay ko habang ipinipikit ang isang mata kunwari ay pinopokus sa target sabay putok sa kanyang dibdib.

"Parang gago!" sambit niya.

Natawa ako don at napainom ng tubig, "Bakit? Para sayo, sino ang pinaka huwaran sa mga naging presidente ng pinas?" tanong ko bago muling sumubo.

Uminom siya ng tubig bago punasan ang basa nyang labi, "Si Ramon Magsaysay." sabi niya sa akin.

"Paano naging?" sabi ko habang inuubos ang pagkain ko.

Inilagay ko sa isang tabi ang aking kalat bago pinagmasdan si Tiff na inililigpit na din ang mga pinagkalatan niya. Humarap siya sa akin bago ginalaw ang salamin niya. I saw her glasses shine a bit in my eyes. Parang gusto kong kumuha bigla ng notebook at ballpen dahil paniguradong may matututunan ako sa kanya.

"So?" I asked waiting for her answer.

She wrinkled her nose with her index finger, "According to the source that I've read, he had done a lot of things to our country." she said.

"So sinasabi mo na walang nagawa ibang presidente?" I mockingly asked.

"I didn't say that though, but let me tell you his fair share to our country. First of all, He was involved in clearing the Zambales coast of the Japanese before to the landing of American forces there. Second, Magsaysay reformed the army, dismissing many officers and emphasizing mobility and adaptability in combat operations against the Huk guerrillas tactics that he had learned in his own guerrilla efforts against the Japanese in World War II." she paused and removed her glasses to see its grade then countinued.

"Third, Magsaysay carried out one of the most effective anti-guerrilla campaigns in modern history; by 1953, the Huks were no longer a serious threat. Unfortunately, Magsaysay's sweeping measures had made many enemies for him within the government, and he resigned. He won two terms in legislative department." she put her glasses again in her eyes then put her palms together then intertwine it.

"And Last but definitely not the least, When he became the president Magsaysay did manage to enact agrarian reform, giving some 90,000 acres to 4,500 indigent families for settlement/farming purposes. He also set up a process to hear and address citizen grievances, and maintained a reputation for incorruptibility throughout his presidency." she ended.