May 22, 1942 — Friday
May 22, 1942
Attended luncheon in National Press Club where President Quezon delivered a masterly speech. 4 p.m. Left with President Quezon and Colonel Nieto on Congressional for
Basilio J. Valdes
Basilio J. Valdes, M.D. (July 10, 1892 –January 26, 1970), soldier, doctor, cabinet member, businessman. Chief of Staff, Philippine Army, 1939-1945; Secretary of National Defense in the Quezon and Osmeña War Cabinets, 1941-45. Professor of Surgery at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Medical Director of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, 1948-1970.
July 10, 1942 – Friday
July 11, 1942
My birthday. Went to Mass at 7:30 a.m. and received Holy Communion. Asked God for an early return to Manila. This separation is terrible. My
July 15, 1942 — Wednesday
July 15, 1942
Very sad & depressed thinking of home. I wonder what is happening there. My depressed mood transmitted to my writing.
July 17, 1942 – Friday
July 17, 1942
Very hot in Washington. Received a birthday gift from Nonong Quezon (Records of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Pathetique). Very sweet of him to do so. I like
July 19, 1942 — Sunday
July 19, 1942
Attended 8 a.m. Mass & received Holy Communion. Very hot. 10 a.m. accompanied the President to Church and then we drove ½ hour to Rock
July 22, 1942 — Wednesday
July 22, 1942
Temperature in Washington cooler. Busy at office morning & afternoon. I invited Colonel Melchor, Mr. Davis & Major Eraña for luncheon. At 3:30 p.m. Lieutenant
July 23, 1942 — Thursday
July 23, 1942
In Belmont Plantation, Leesburg Virginia, with the President and family. Mrs. Quezon, Major Cruz & Chaplain Ortiz went to Washington and returned 7:30 p.m. At
August 9, 1942 — Sunday
August 9, 1942
In New York. Raining heavily. President did not attend Church. Went to Saint Patrick’s at 12.30 p.m. with Nieto, Torena, Diño. At 3 p.m. accompanied
August 17, 1942 — Monday
August 17, 1942
Busy all day in the office in Washington. At 4:45 p.m. accompanied the President to Mutual Broadcasting System to record his speech. Left Shoreham for
September 4, 1942 — Friday
September 4, 1942
Busy in office until noon. At 12:30 p.m. attended Funeral Services for Duke of Kent with Vice-President Osmeña at Washington Cathedral. Had luncheon at Occidental
September 26, 1942 — Saturday
September 26, 1942
Busy all morning in office. At 3 p.m. President was not feeling well and sent for me. Left Washington, by train at 5:05 p.m. Had
August 1, 1944 – Tuesday
August 2, 1944
Attended Mass at 7 a.m. At 8 a.m. Miss Labrador called me by phone to rush to Camp McMartin as President Quezon was dying. Passed
September 5, 1944 — Tuesday
September 5, 1944
At 12:15 a.m. we took off from Canton Island. We encountered rain storms (squalls). The flying was pretty rough at times. At 6:30 a.m. Canton
September 7, 1944 — Thursday
September 7, 1944
Went to the Cathedral at 8 a.m. to hear Mass and receive Communion and to thank God for the successful completion of my trip across
September 8, 1944 — Friday
September 8, 1944
Went to office at 8:15 a.m. Worked till Noon, returned to hotel for luncheon and at 2 p.m. went back to office. Stayed till 5:40
September 21, 1944 — Thursday
September 21, 1944
10:30 AM Colonel Lehrbas aide-de-camp of General MacArthur called me by phone and told me that General MacArthur wanted to see me. I went to
September 23, 1944 — Saturday
September 23, 1944
At 3:30 a.m. I left Lennon’s hotel by car for Amberley Air Field. Arrived there at 4:35 a.m.Took off from Amberley Air Field on a
September 25, 1944 — Monday
September 25, 1944
Arrived Washington airport 4 p.m. Proceeded immediately to the office to see President Osmeña.
September 26, 1944 — Tuesday
September 26, 1944
Went to the War Department had conference with President Osmeña and Major General R.J. Marshall, Deputy Chief of Staff of General MacArthur. President Osmeña expressed
October 1, 1944 — Sunday
October 1, 1944
Attended 12:45 Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Justice Murphy was seated in front of me. I had luncheon at Marguerrie’s Then at 3 p.m. left
October 2, 1944 — Monday
October 2, 1944
Busy all day. Had dinner with Captain Eloy Alfaro former Ambassador of Ecuador.
October 3, 1944 — Tuesday
October 3, 1944
Left Washington at 1:30 p.m. for the non—stop flight to Hamilton Field California. Arrived there 2:30 a.m. (Wednesday October 4).
October 4, 1944 — Wednesday
October 4, 1944
In Hamilton Field, then at 9 p.m. Took off from Hamilton Field. The trip was quite rough at times.
October 5, 1944 – Thursday
October 6, 1944
Arrived Hickham Field Honolulu at 6:40 a.m. Admiral Nimitz and his chief of staff Admiral McMaster, Lieutenant General Richardson, Commander General of the region and
October 7, 1944 – Saturday
October 7, 1944
Landed at Sentani Airfield at Hollandia at 7 a.m. We lost one day during the flight when we crossed the international date line. General Sutherland
October 8—12, 1944
October 12, 1944
Working with Major General Stivers, G—1. I met again Captain Elaine Clark WAC, daughter of Sir Norman Brooks. She is a very efficient Administrative Officer,
October 13, 1944 — Friday
October 13, 1944
We attended a special Mass at 6 a.m. and received Communion. We left General Head Quarters at 8:30 a.m. for Hollandia port. At 10:40 a.m.
October 14, 1944 — Saturday
October 14, 1944
En route. We crossed the equator at 2:30 p.m., and I was made a member of the ‘Order of the Deep’. A card signed by
October 15, 1944 — Sunday
October 15, 1944
At Sea. It continues to be very hot. At 10 a.m. I attended Mass in the troops Mess, near the kitchen. It was very hot.
October 16—19, 1944
October 19, 1944
At sea. Nothing unusual. I attended Mass every Morning to receive Communion. It is nice to see a number of boys that attend Mass and