My choice of the topic should give away the equal importance I mean to give to both Candijay, Bohol, the place and its latest achievers, Fr. Roy Cimagala and Rey Bautista. I have decided to write, very briefly, the legend of this town in the hope that it would not be entirely lost to the coming generations. True, legends, such as the one I am about to speak of, are normally without factual anchor. In the case of Candijay, its legend somehow provides a basis for an exposition on positive values. To repeat, I am talking about the pacific municipality of Candijay, whose poblacion lies some 92 kilometers east of Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol province. I consider it a peaceful because, thanks to the good nature of its residents, for a very long time now, I have not recalled of any violent event, like murder or rape, occurring in this town of my birth. The religiosity of its people may have something to do with it. Candijaynons practice their faith deeply and, with rising number of denominations in its cradle, tolerant of others. Quite unlike other places where the difference of religions tends to create friction among its neighbors, each Candijaynon does his rituals without the others getting annoyed and better still, with mutual respect.
As legend would have it, the name of the place could be traced to the humility and generosity of a man named Dijay. Accordingly, Dijay often went around the place to check on the condition of the residents of the community and he would volunteer whatever help to any disadvantaged one. At other times, in case anyone was in some kind of a need, all that he had to do was to go up to Dijay for succor and he would not come home empty handed. Yet, in spite of his abundance he never displayed superiority to most other mortals.
In letters and in sports, talent surfaces. It always finds its own way to recognition. Two people have, by their individual talents, recently scored high for Candijay. A writer of this paper, Fr. Roy Cimagala, holds the distinction of being chosen by the Cebu Archdiocesan Mass Media Awards as this year’s outstanding columnist. In literary form and substance, Fr. Roy stands heads and shoulders above many of us. The manner he writes reflects his self-effacing character. Of course, he is not a priest if he were otherwise. More than his humility though, the ideas his pen produces, most often, show the profundity of his understanding of values. It is thus always a refreshing respite to read his thoughts, as often as he writes.
Rey “Boom boom” Bautista is the new toast of Philippine boxing. I surmise that his nom-de-guerre was taken from Ray “Boom-boom” Mancini, the Italo-American lightweight, whose explosive fists, upon initiating his assault, would tend to sound “boom-boom” until his foes got knocked out. When Bautista stopped his South American opponent in the under card of Manny Pacquiao-Hector Velasquez, he practically waltzed his way to the hearts of his countrymen. He became an instant hero.
But, those of us who saw the sporting spectacle, noticed the contrasting post-fight styles of Manny Pacquiao and Rey Bautista. Like all triumphant combatants, Pacquiao raised his hands upon the surrender of Velasquez. But he did not, by any other action, rub his victory in. He displayed no striking pose contemptuous of his fallen foe. My paisano Bautista, perhaps euphoric of his win, (and who would not be!) faced the stunned crowd from each corner of the ring with defiantly raised arms. Of course, he spoke with the authority of his “boom-boom” fists but his act was a little bit towards braggadocio. His display was not one which Dijay would have wanted. It lacked magnanimity as it was devoid of humility. By posing before the cameras the way he did, as if he was telling everyone, he secured a world boxing crown which he has not yet done.
I am sure Dijay smiled with the achievements of Fr. Roy and Rey as we Candijaynons, are proud of them. I am afraid though that while I have found reason to continue reading Fr. Roy, the cockiness of Bautista, this early in his career, might have turned off some supporters.
