The Baguio Imponderable (History)

When I was young (an eternal refrain in this blog), my older brother Arell (who is known otherwise as Busol because he used to run after an uncle with a bolo) stumped me with this question:

Is Bonifacio a hero?

It's not an easy question, believe me. For example, you would answer, Of course, his being a hero is out of the question, the question should be: Should he be our national hero? Or, Pity a land that needs a hero. Or, Bonifacio was also an ilustrado or as the late great Nick Joaquin had it, a fashion victim. But no, Busol would not allow such explanation. The question is better said than read:

Isbonifacio a hero?

It depends on how you say it or what is in your mind. Good answer.

Isbo ni Facio a hero?

In Ilocano, that translates to: Is the urine of Facio a hero? There used to be a person named Pacio in our neighborhood so it adds credence. Of course, you would answer, No. Then my brother would ask again, You mean you are learning about Bonifacio in school as the Great Plebeian and everything is a lie? So you never win.

Reminds us. We've been memorizing about the "Great Plebeian" and our teacher never told us what that word meant. Plebeian came from the Latin plebeius, from plebs, plebis, "the common people." Essentially, it meant pertaining to the Roman plebs. It meant the common tao and by association, refers to the vulgar, coarse masa. The Great Plebeian is an oxymoron (refer to Session Road Blues).