THE other day former Provincial Board (PB) member Oscar Musni emailed to me the book “The Philippine Revolution” written by Apolinario Mabini that was translated into English by writer Leon Ma. Guerrero which I thoroughly enjoyed reading and gave chills to my spine.
Musni is a town mate in Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao, Philippines. We graduated from the same school; he was at senior high when I was a freshman.
I knew he is one of the smartest cookies back then and knew world history and he's an orator. He became a lawyer through hard work and sheer determination.
He does not know that I am going to write about him following my reading of the narrative of Apolinario Mabini. Musni's best trait is that he's true to his friends and never forgets them, a trait uncommon these days.
His friends are the “tambay (toughies)” in Tagoloan who were unable to finish school, the drivers, “panaderos (bread makers/bakers)” and jeepney “conductors.”
He speaks their language and understands them better than anyone else because he was one of them while growing up in Tagoloan and Villanueva. While chasing his dreams, he did not forget his street friends.
He knows the meaning of struggle and how to survive. I was reminded of these core values while reading the translation of Leon Ma. Guerrero on Mabini's work that I recommend be read by students and non-students.
Mabini's personal account explained why there is a need for citizens to sacrifice a little including pride to attain progress and independence.
This book may have ignited Musni's passion of contributing to society and thereby making his own legacy to fellow Kagay-anons. Before entering government service, Musni marched on the streets to fight martial law.
He was unafraid of incarceration; he showed to the powers that be and the military that he was willing to die for his beliefs. Musni fought for the working class and he identified himself with them.
Musni’s colleagues have routinely described him as being combative in fighting for his principles and whenever rights issues are discussed. When he was at the Provincial Board and as I covered the sessions as a beat reporter, I learned that he authored legislation on land use and classification.
This paved the way for agro-industrial development in Misamis Oriental. He also authored ordinances to promote tourism and commerce.
Three months ago, I asked him whether he would run for public office in Cagayan de Oro City. He didn't answer immediately but said he thought it is crucial to pass an ordinance promoting agricultural productivity development with emphasis on the use of modern technology.
I know that Musni was unaware that I was taking mental notes of our conversation. Musni wanted to bring his life long experience to the people of Cagayan de Oro City where he had spent a large part of his life.
Oscar Pongase Musni is a three-term board member and is actually a pure blooded Tagoloanon, having been born, raised and schooled in my hometown.
I told him that he would be questioned about his Tagoloan roots because the critics would say that he doesn't know the sentiments of the city residents.
“That opinion or comment that we are from the province merely refers to our place of origin or domicile. It's territorial, it is pedestrian,” he said. Musni said ideas cannot be confined or boxed or labeled as probinsyana (provincial) “because the world is now global.”
People who knew him from high school and college have shared similar impressions of him. They knew Musni as upright, someone who's comfortable with the drivers, alley boys and people from all walks of life.
His friend and former colleague at the Provincial Board (PB), lawyer Cromwell Generalao who's now based in New Jersey, said he hopes Musni wins and makes a difference in Cagayan de Oro. I also share Generalao's sentiments and hope that Musni is elected a city councilor.
(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines and is now employed as teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.)