Amang Magsaysay: The Man I Don't Recognize

Cong. Magsaysay at International Environmental Forum.

If you're going to take a look on the board, Ibaan is all too lucky -too lucky to have four (4) Congressman. Again, that's four! How is that possible?

Belonging to 4th District in the Province of Batangas, definitely we'll have one. And right now, we have Cong. Dong Mendoza. Then in last year's election, Ibaan adopted 3 more partylist groups -AGAP, 1CARE and AVE. They all substantially indebted to Ibaan for having a seat as Congressman in the House of Representatives. And from all of them, there's one I don't recognize. It's Cong. Amang Magsaysay of AVE Partylist.

AVE Partylist at Ibaan Tulong Edukasyon Distribution of
scholarship grants at Ibaan District Hall, Ibaan Central School.

Months ago, when Taga Ibaan Ako was just starting, a kid from Bry. Agustin named Saske was featured. Photos and videos of him was introduced at the wall and resulted to a great rally to help and somehow easen his medical and financial needs. Thanks to his father's classmates who pooled much of the needed financial help. Surprisingly, a man sent his words of intention to help Saske. It was Amang Magsaysay. And that was the first time I heard of him.

Cong. Magsaysay happened to watch Saske's video. I believe he get attached with Saske immediately. Mr. Amang, through different channels sent someone to the kid's house handed some amount to help the family thread an extra mile for the kid's life. I was not able to meet Mr. Amang. But we posted our gratitude to the man for what he has done.

Amang arriving at Ibaan District Hall .

In a twist of fate, I met Cong. Magsaysay in one event in Ibaan. Unfortunately, he was occupied during that time. All I got was a shake hand and short introduction. I respect his situation that time. So I did not insist on starting a conversation that time.

After couple of months, Taga Ibaan Ako got another case. A young girl having problem with her blood. The girl has been suffering from some blood irregularities, and just like Saske's case, her parents could hardly afford to support her medical needs. Than again, through friends of friends, he again saw the girl's video. This time, he asked from someone he can deal directly regarding the girl's situation. A week later, an emissary was standing before the girl's house to hand Cong. Magsaysay's help and assistance. From that point, it appeared to me that this man has a soft spot in his heart for kids.

Cong. Amang on his
speech to Ibaan scholars.

Last week, I was invited to cover the distribution of scholarship grants by the Municipality of Ibaan for college students dubbed as "Tulong Edukasyon". Surprisingly, there's this banner hanging in front of Ibaan District Hall with bold letters speaking of AVE Partylst as part of the event. My memory rolled back and tried grasping for the meaning of its three letters. They stand for Alliance of Volunteer Educators. That's when I realized AVE Partylist is at the right place, and Cong. Amang Magsaysay is coming.

Minutes after the program has started, I was called outside to take photo of the man. I rushed outside with aching ankle and tried to capture every line of his face. Entering the District Hall, Mayor Danny Toreja, Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin, Dr. Lumbera Magnaye and others extended their hands to Cong. Magsaysay to welcome him. The respect was evidently given to the AVE Partylist Representative.

Cong. Amang handing certificate of recognition to
one of the Tulong Edukasyon grantees.

After Mayor Toreja's speech, he was called on stage. To quote some of his words, he said: "Today is Independence Day. Today, we celebrate our freedom. But more than that, today is that day you get a hold in your hand the key to be free from poverty through the scholarship we're giving you. Do not waste this opportunity. You are lucky to have this. Give importance to what you have now".

It turned our that he's accommodating 25 Ibaenos as scholars where his AVE Partylist is giving P10,000.00 every semester to qualified students. And for a year, that's around P500,000.00 already! And AVE Partylist is on all out support to Ibaan's Tulong Edukasyon Program.The Muncipality of Ibaan gave away 45 scholarship grants. It may be just a half of what Ibaan provided, but 25 more Ibaenos got a sight of light at the end of the tunnel.

Cong. Amang at the blessing of Brgy. Bago's
new Barangay Hall.

The number of scholars Cong. Magsaysay supporting is already a big bang to boost Ibaenos chance to have a better future. That shouldn't go down to Ibaan history unnoticed. At that instance, Cong. Magsaysay stood proud to what his Partylist is all about -education.

After all speeches have been made, the Certificates of Recognition were officially given to the grantees. Just like a protocol, pictorials followed next. A short chat with everyone, tables and chairs were then packed up. I thought that's going to be the end of the day for me. But I was told there's one more event that the Congressman is headed to. Cong. Magsaysay, Mayor Toreja and others are to attend Brgy. Bago's new Barangay Hall.

Cong. Amang with Ibaan Mayor Danny Toreja
cutting the ribbon for the new Barangay Hall.

On out way out, I braved my self to talk with the man. I introduced myself and luckily, he remembered me as Taga Ibaan Ako. That was a relief. That gave me green light to tell, or rather, ask him for something. I cut my story short and told him about a community in Panghayaan where there are around 22 households with only one or two artesian wells. I asked Cong. Magsaysay if he can spare one "gripo" for the community. He was fast to answer what he can do about it. It didn't last 5 minutes for us to make a deal. I'm to find a counter part and he'll take care of the rest. Again, he's opening his hand for Ibaan.

Reaching Brgy. Bago's new Barangay Hall, formalities were made. Hands were again extended to and from everyone. The priest arrived, and the blessing of the new Barangay Hall was made. After which, a short program ensued. While taking photos, I still have my ears to what the speakers are telling on the microphone. And from all of the personalities called in front of the group, one usual and common line cut across my senses.

Cong. Amang Magsaysay of AVE Partylist.
The proud adopted son of Ibaan.

They have been thanking Cong. Magsaysay for providing the funds for the renovation and improvement of the barangay's new Barangay Hall. And to express their appreciation and gratitude to the man, the barangay officials were proud to have Cong. Magsaysay as an "adopted Ibaeno", particularly Brgy. Bago.

The applause were deafening. But they have reasons to be at that mood. Who would not appreciate what Cong. Magsaysay has done for Ibaan? And for that day alone, I can no longer say I don't recognize Amang Magsaysay. He should be recognized.

Amang Magsaysay is not an Ibaeno. But has shown compassion to this town. Everything, from the time his name came to my knowledge, up to the day Brgy. Bago adopted him, I say he's worthy of every recognition we can afford him.

How about the other Congressmen of two other party lists? I guess it's them that I don't recognize.