The legacies of presidents Quezon and Osmeña

Today is the 139th birth anniversary of President Manuel Luis Quezon, the second president of the Philippines. This September 9, 2017 shall also be the 139th birth anniversary of Don Sergio Osmeña Sr., Cebu's pride, the third president of our country, the first Visayan and the only Cebuano, to have been elected head of our government. Quezon was older than Osmeña by only 21 days. But their friendship, their rivalry, and their completely different characters have left the Filipino people, especially the Cebuanos, some lasting legacies. These two giant political icons were too different, even opposite to each other in their styles, attitudes, and character. And yet, their political alliance withstood the test of time and all vicissitudes.

Using some analogy or simile, Don Manuel, by his character and idiosyncrasies, could have been from the planet Mars, while Don Sergio, by his ways and demeanor, was definitely from Venus. Quezon, the firebrand from Baler, was a Spanish mestizo, an outspoken, aggressive and dynamic activist of his times, always raising his voice and even cursing in the same manner that President Rodrigo Duterte would throw unprintable expletives. The gentleman from Cebu, a Chinese mestizo, was soft-spoken and laidback. He would rather keep silent and observe than dominate any discussion and debate, which was the character of Quezon in any assembly which he attended. Don Sergio was very considerate of the feelings of people, while Don Manuel was famous for putting people on the spot, for insulting people publicly. Quezon was famous with his daring statement: "I prefer a government run like hell by Filipinos than a government run like heaven by Americans.''

If we compare the two to contemporary figures Quezon is like today's President Duterte and Speaker Pantaleon-Alvarez (incidentally, all three are famous lovers of women). Osmeña is like Vice President Leni Robredo and Senate President Koko Pimentel. Somehow the leadership style and mannerisms of Quezon is like that of Mayor Mike Rama and Governor Gwen Garcia and even Governor Lito Osmeña. The attitude and values of Osmeña are somehow akin to the styles of mayor and former congressman and governor Eddie Gullas, Governor Junjun Davide, and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella. Osmeña was one person who would walk the extra mile to help a person in need. He was not very talkative and it was the character of a lawyer. Quezon would express his opinion candidly no matter who gets hurt. Osmeña was very sensitive of the feelings of others.

From Quezon, we should earn the importance of assertiveness, the need for the emphatic, the value of being clear, categorical, and unequivocal. From Osmeña, we should learn the importance of patience, perseverance, and persistence. Quezon taught us the importance of social justice and social reforms, the need to balance economic development and the welfare of the people. Osmeña taught us the importance of teamwork between the president and the vice president. He made a great sacrifice in 1943 when the term of Quezon should have ended and he should have taken over. But Quezon appealed to him and he gave in. Death intervened when Quezon breathed his last in August 1, 1944. Osmeña was challenged by the more aggressive and richer Manuel Acuna Roxas who split the Nacionalista Party and founded the LP. Osmeña was beaten by the slimmest plurality in history, and Osmeña yielded the presidency to the second Visayan to become president of the republic. We have a lot to learn from our presidents especially from Don Manuel Quezon and Don Sergio Osmeña Sr.