Picture above is the magnificent bandstand that stands on the middle of the Banga town plaza. Will it be tored down in the guise of plaza improvement and beautification? If yes, then good bye to history, tradition and culture. This is the bandstand among the three edifices that withstood the ravages of World War II. /MP
6 comments:
The picture of the bandstand that you showed can certainly break every Banganhon’s heart, knowing that it will never look the same again. It can also evoke anger and resentment from many of us. Demolishing this historic structure is like erasing part of our past. Many of us have already expressed our opposition to Mr. Maming’s plan but it is becoming clear that they are going to be futile. Although he lived for sometime in the US, I doubt that he has fully embraced or appreciated the practice of a democratic process or making decisions by consensus. He is already bent on making his own decision in spite of the overwhelming resistance from his constituents, and even his own councilmen. I seriously doubt that he has any understanding or appreciation of the historical or cultural values of the buildings or structures in our town. I am certain he does not posses any deep emotional attachment to the bandstand, since he never spent enough time playing or hanging out in the plaza during his youth. Pleading for his sympathy will therefore not work, as he is not in a position to feel our pain. Aside from the economic incentives, I could not think of any other reason why Mr. Maming would be persistent on this unpopular project. I heard there is not enough money in the town treasury to fund this, and he is depending on other uncertain sources. I am afraid that next picture you would be featuring in the Madyaas Pen is an unfinished bandstand. That would be considered by all Banganhons as a further insult to a major injury. Putting more pressure against Mr. Maming will most likely be met with a more stubborn resistance. He may consider it as a personal affront to him and his position as a mayor. It can be perceived as a conspiracy of the locals to gang-up against him for being an outsider from the barrio. Or there is just an overriding financial reward for him in this project to give up the fight. I am therefore not overly optimistic about Mr. Maming’s change of heart in the near future. At this time, I have a feeling it may require a divine intervention to save the bandstand. That is assuming Mr. Maming believes in divinity. Does he?
Let us raise the stake. What would prevent later administration to ERASE the changes made by Mayor Maming on the bandstand and restore the original bandstand to its glory? Then it is a great irony for Mayor Maming. He will be the only mayor in the history of Banga whose legacy was ERASED.
Why I said raise the stake, because Mayor Maming will continue to spend money well beyond his term in order to be able to retain his legacy. He is up against a group of people, not just Banganhons but also people he may have crossed in his rise to prominence. This is a game he understands. It is throwing good moeny after bad. He has to back off now if he does not want to be caught in a bottomless well.
Although Barok’s commentary appears pessimistic and almost fatalistic, I must admit that it is a thorough, coherent and realistic assessment of the bandstand issue. The pessimism is understandable, which is usually borne out of frustration. However, I think leaving the fate of our valuable bandstand to the “divine intervention” ( I know he said that with tongue- in- cheek humor) should only be the strategy of last resort. Religious enlightenment or transformation is a more difficult process than personal awakening. I agree with Barok that Mr. Maming may not be able to understand or appreciate our “historical or cultural” arguments, considering his limited educational and social background. You cannot change a person overnight. Mr. Maming is surrounded by many advisers, a mixture of political opportunists and just plain “leeches.” Some of them are traditional local politicians, educated professionals and prominent figures in the community. These supposedly leaders sold out our town, and cowardly watched in the sideline while it is being literally “raped.” These people need personal awakening and should start reevaluating their priorities. They should be reminded that the blood of our town is in their hands. I know that they are good people, as some of them are my friends and relatives, who just lost their way. These people are the people who can convince Mr. Maming to change his plan. They should follow the lead of our former mayor, Atty. Sergio Rigodon, who almost physically and single-handedly stopped the wrecking crew from demolishing the bandstand. We need courageous and honorable leaders like him to step up the plate and voice out our concern.
Mr. Maming story from obscurity to the emergence as a most controversial personality or from a card hustler to becoming the mayor of Banga, is a very interesting and intriguing story. People need to know the story of this man to better understand him and perhaps come up with an effective strategy to convince him to abandon his lunatic plan. As many of you know, Mr. Maming grew up in a relatively poor family and did not receive a proper education. However, his proficiency in game cards and gambling provided him a decent livelihood and opened the door to unlimited opportunities. He was able to go to the US and came back with enough money to buy the mayoralty. The part played by his populist appeal to the electorate for winning the seat is still difficult to determine. Aside from the economic benefit, many believed that his desire to become a mayor was mainly to gain personal recognition and respect, things that were missing in his life. Obviously, it would be his priority to leave a good and long-lasting legacy to the town of Banga, and be remembered as one of the best mayor to lead the town. Hey, Mr. Maming! If I could write a book or make a movie of your life-story or biography, would you be willing to abandon your plan to mess up the bandstand?
I am going to retire in a few years, and still debating what can convince me to go home to Banga. The issue with the bandstand just gave me a very interesting idea. If Mr. Maming becomes successful in destroying the bandstand, I will have a good motivation and an incentive to go home to help restore it. I may still have enough time to help organizing a fund raising for the “Restoration of the Bandstand Project.” I am just asking somebody to take good pictures of the present bandstand in different angles to be used in the restoration. And please tell Mr. Maming to limit the number of Rebar (reinforcing metal bar) and use less mixture of cement. It will be more profit for his pocket, and less work for the restoration team. And do not bother to leave his engraved name in the bandstand. I am sure it is going to be the first one to go.
Way to go Kabogman. From us here who lost our shirts to this card shark, we will contribute the same amount we lost to him to sink him to the bottom of the ocean.
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