Eagle Riggs nakabili ng sariling paraiso

Bukod sa mga tumitilaok na manok, isa rin siya sa mga sumasalubong sa ating umaga. Neither a roster nor a hen, kabilang siya sa bird family, in fact, noted for its sharp vision and powerful wings.

Named after it, ang tinutukoy ko ay si Eagle Riggs, isa sa mga nakabubulahaw na mga paggi­sing ng bawat Pinoy na adik sa mga pang-araw-araw na balita at pangyayaring hatid ng Unang Hirit.

Like an eagle that spreads its wings far and wide, here and yonder, madalas nating nakikita si Eagle sa mga live remote telecast ng UH, from carnival to festival, from plazas to places were cult and culture blend well.

Pero sa likod ng maingay at matining na boses ni Eagle lurks a quite tale of unknown truths tungkol sa kanyang pagkatao. His sexual preferences set aside, this thing about his sprawling, near-hectare farm in Magdalena, Laguna arouses more interest.

A native of Las Piñas, pinangarap din ni Eagle na makatakas sa mukha ng siyudad, malayo sa init, inis at ingay. Taong 2003 nang makabili siya ng naturang bukirin sa pagitan ng Pagsanjan at Liliw, a good two-hour drive from Manila.

Para kay Eagle (who didn’t choose to buy an aviary!), he did not just acquire a farm, but a paradise. Good at numbers, bilang na bilang ni Eagle ang mga fruit-bearing trees doon: 40 rambutan, 8 mango, 3 santol, meron pang kalamansi, guyabano, kaimito, sampalok, suha at duhat, bukod pa sa mga sari-saring gulay as far as eyes can see.

Ornamental plants are also a visual attraction, aside from his array of expensive brumiliads right next to a ricefield.

Nestled on this lot are two resthouses intricately made of anahaw, sawali, and bamboo:  Iyong isa’y para sa kanyang ina at mga kapatid; the other is reserved for the guests. Dahil mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes ang UH, Eagle makes sure he spends his weekends there, not idly though, dahil it’s chance to commune with nature, from planting to landscaping to kite-flying.

Bagama’t hindi naman talaga siya taga-Magdalena (although he’s Magdalena, the Biblical character, personified?), ginawaran si Eagle ng karangalan bilang Pinakamaningning na Alagad ng Sining ng Laguna for his exemplary contribution in promoting the town as well as its environs.

Hindi pa man ako nakakapunta sa farm na ’yon I know that Eagle has soared high ahead of his kite.