Pascual B. Racuyal: The Man Who Dreamed of Malacañang but Ended Up in a Psychiatric Ward

 

Pascual Racuyal (1911-2004)


He challenged everyone of them from Quezon to Cory. He had the nerves or perhaps, as others are saying, he had an "unstable mind"..."baliw". In the 1981 Presidential election, he missed filling his certificate of candidacy but still a journalist hunted him to get his opinion about the election. And in that interview..He still delivered that "Racuyalesque" rhetoric.

In 1935, Racuyal signed his certificate of candidacy for President of the Republic in his blood. The Cebuano high school graduate also boasted of having his so-called "51 Platforms". He went around campaigning in the Cebu district on foot, wearing only a pair of sandals made from old tires and declaring that he was the Abraham Lincoln of the Philippines.
On January 20, 1937, Pascual Racuyal was committed to the National Mental Hospital. President Quezon wanted to let him stay there till 1941 to prevent him from taking part again in the election but events took a different turn when war came.
Racuyal went on to participate in every Presidential election after the war until the 1960s. In 1981 he missed filing his certificate of candidacy. (Bungal na siya noon). During the Snap Election of 1986, he was declared a nuisance candidate.
Racuyal in his many attempts for the presidency, promised these things if elected: He will run the country via remote control. He will build movable plastic roads to ease traffic. He will accept no more than 1000 pesos a month as salary. He will introduce a new monetary system and issue bills that are fireproof. He also promised to give jobs to the unemployed, investigate friar lands, pass a law imposing a 100-year sentence to corrupt government officials. He also would sell the presidential yacht (the Casiana) once elected. Incredibly some of these campaign promises were taken as laughable at that time but much of what he said turns out to be a reality right now.
Above all, Racuyal challenged Quezon and other candidates to a debate and he declared that if he wins the presidency he will start his government's investigation on Vice President Osmena by asking him 1000 simple questions -- What those questions were, we would probably never know.
From all these accounts one might not help but compare the kind of politicians we have right now, those shunning presidential debates--They are not even in the league of a Racuyal?
Pascual Racuyal passed into obscurity, but now and then comes back to haunt us with memories of his antics or his wisdom when presidential election comes. Lest we forget, he was that man who once dreamed of occupying Malacañang but ended up in a psychiatric ward.

Perhaps Pascual Racuyal lived in another world, he saw the future, he saw our time?
Vive le Racuyalesque!





From The Tribune- March 2, 1938


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez: Rizal's Batman

Image
   Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez (1849-1928) Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a Spanish Jesuit, held a special place in Rizal's heart as his favorite teacher at Ateneo, where the priest taught Literature. It was under Fr. Sanchez's guidance that the young Rizal delved into the treasures of Greek and Latin Classics. The priest's encouragement led Rizal to hone his literary talents, engaging in the crafting of essays and poetry. The relationship between mentor and student was characterized by mutual respect and admiration. Father Sanchez even staunchly defended Rizal's work, 'Noli Me Tangere.' However, in a letter to Blumentritt dated May 1890, Rizal shared a nuanced description of the priest: "Father Sanchez is a keen observer, albeit somewhat pessimistic, often inclined to view the darker aspects of life. During our school days, he was often playfully referred to as a 'dark spirit,' and students affectionately nicknamed him 'Paniki,' a
Read more

Jose Rizal's Bomb Plot

Image
Victorian lamp The Plot Even before international terrorists adopted the horrific tactics of suicide bombers and bomb couriers in their campaigns of vengeance, Philippine national hero José Rizal conceived a plot in his novel El Filibusterismo that involved a catastrophic explosion to ignite a revolution. In Chapters 34 and 35, Simoun arrives at the wedding reception of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez bearing a seemingly innocuous gift – a lamp. However, concealed within it is a potent explosive: nitroglycerin. The reception takes place at the former residence of the deceased Captain Tiago, which Simoun has meticulously rigged with explosives beforehand. According to his plan, the lamp will remain lit for only twenty minutes before flickering. If anyone attempts to adjust the wick, a catastrophic explosion will ensue, claiming the lives of all those gathered – a significant portion of Manila's elite, including prominent figures from both civil society and the church hierarch
Read more

Pinagbuhatan Fiesta -- San Sebastián

Image
Every year on January 20, the typically monotonous streets of Barangay Pinagbuhatan in the City of Pasig transform themselves into a vibrant place of merrymaking and festivities. The focal point of the Mardi Gras-like atmosphere in the barangay is always the parish church, as January 20 marks the feast day of its revered patron saint—San Sebastian. "Viva San Sebastian!" At the break of dawn on the said day, brass bands parade the streets, as if calling the people to start the festivities—the traditional early morning rounds called "djana" (or diana to some bands). Now and then, that heroic sound of martial music would be broken by the distant sounds of exploding fireworks. The formal celebration starts with the morning mass officiated by the parish priest. In truth, the building excitement would not be found inside the church where mass is being held but instead outside. In the church grounds, the brewing festivities heat up. People gather outside, young and old ali
Read more