How we go down in History

“Rajah Humabon and Datu Zula suggested that Magellan go to the island of Mactan and force his subject chieftain Datu Lapu-Lapu to comply with his orders. Magellan saw an opportunity to strengthen the existing friendship ties with the ruler of the Visayan region and agreed to help him subdue the rebellious Lapu-Lapu.” This is what happened when Lapu-lapu who by context, was subject under the raja who happens to be Humabon, refused to pay tribute to the King of Spain through Magellan, which interestingly was ordered by the raja, and was abided to by the rest of the datus under Humabon. Furthermore, later, “Magellan’s allies, Humabon and Zula, were said not to have taken part in the battle due to Magellan’s bidding, and they watched from a distance. “(www.philippine-history.org) Imagine that.

“On June 3, 1571, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in Manila with a large fleet and a strong force comprised of 280 Spaniards, 600 Visayan natives, and some Latin Americans. In response, Raha Sulayman promptly assembled his own troops…” (https://www.esquiremag.ph) However, the two other leaders of Manila, Raha Lakandula and Raha Matanda, and the datus of Hagonoy, Bulacan withheld aid. Only one datu came to support, one from Pampanga. So, in a way, a number of leaders stood back to watch Suleiman’s defeat. What’s more, Lakandula and Matanda welcomed de Legazpi after his victory against one who should have been their comrade.

You’re probably familiar with how Diego Silang died, which was by assassination by one Miguel Vicos who happened to have been considered as a close friend of his. It is simply monumental that mainstream Philippine history acknowledges that Andres Bonifacio, a revolutionary leader instrumental in the founding of the movement itself, a long time Supremo, who supposedly should have been held in high esteem, was executed by his compatriots in the direction of Emilio Aguinaldo. Mind you, Mr. Aguinaldo continued in his exploits, even running for president in the time of Commonwealth, even if only the province of Cavite seemed to have voted for him, ranking him last. That says something about his attitude towards political power. Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Roxas secured the passage of the Hare–Hawes–Cutting Act. It would establish the Philippine Commonwealth as a transition government for 12 years before receiving independence. Then Senate President Manuel L. Quezon objected the act. (Any speculations why?)

Now, the tradition goes on. Some leaders would choose to stand back to watch a fellow leader from an opposing party, in his or her downfall. Some leaders actually conspire to set an elaborate plan that would lead to defeat. They may even present the suggestions towards the orchestration of the overthrow. Some leaders would intentionally withhold support. Why? I don’t know why. They just stay in their outposts, choosing not to do anything, when they could have done something or many things. I could only wonder, would they go out and welcome the event of failure as those before? Wait, maybe we could speculate on reasons behind these sort of actions. Maybe some leaders harbor some deep set strong ambitions for supremacy, that extra lengths and breadths would be taken to address challenges to that ambition. Maybe some leaders have higher positions and the path upward on their sights, that they could block and object a well crafted good idea, even if that proposal is for the total welfare of the entire nation. A good suggestion may be brought to naught to prevent positioning. Eyes may be blinded to merits and intelligence may be dumbed and determination for power may be upheld.

So, what can we do to solve this? Maybe, this is already a disease deeply embedded in our people’s culture. It has been practiced even before colonial times. In those few incidents that events were recorded, such ills were caught in history. Maybe, we are a people who would devise a fellow’s downfall, and stand watching while flames go ablaze. Maybe, we are a people who would pull hands off to indirectly cause failure. Maybe we are a people who would put loyalty up for sale. Maybe, we are a people who would throw esteem out the window for political ambition. Maybe, we are a people who would numb intelligence for the sake of personal position. Maybe, this is a disease that we could not get rid of, that even if we push it down underground, its nasty evil head would find its way up the surface. I pray against such speculation.

Maybe, we could rally together for mutual protection. Maybe we could rise above comfort zones for a greater victory. Maybe we could see higher value in the spirit of unity. Maybe, we could lay down personal interests and uphold what is sensible and beneficial.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9