December 21, 1944
Significant developments. Puppet P.I. government moving to Baguio. Laurel and all Ministers including Manuel Roxas scheduled to leave for Baguio last night. Jap Embassy also hurriedly packing to transfer to Baguio. Jap Dept. of Information burning papers, will continue propaganda in Baguio. Speaker B. Aquino remained in Manila, promised to go up after wedding of his son Billy. Minister Antonio …
February 25, 1943
Shoreham Hotel. Quezon says that when he first came to Washington as Resident Commissioner he, like most Filipinos, believed that when they saw an American man and woman out driving together, whom they knew not to be married to one another, they were sexually intimate. This was the old Spanish idea. But when he got to Washington and made friends …
Thursday, April 9, 1942
At 7:30 I went up to the house of Overseer Laurel to listen to the radio news and it was then that the Voice of Freedom station broadcasted the almost heartbreaking news that Bataan had fallen. Mr. Tiongson who had heard the news from the house of Dr. Velasquez, immediately came to see me. The news struck me with mingled …
Saturday, March 28, 1942
At 6:00 in the morning, left Bañga for Midsayap as scheduled arriving there at 10:30 a.m. At 3:30, proceeded on to the presidencia of Midsayap to meet Commissioner Guingona who arrived with the provincial officials of Cotabato headed by Governor Pablo. After the usual greetings, the Commissioner informed me that the conference would start upon the arrival of Colonel Manuel …
June 28, 1941
Today’s Manila News says Finland declared War on USSR. And Louis Chevrolet, builder of my favorite car, died at age 63, but I am still very much in love with that Chevy Apple Green Coupie. Let me continue to pay tribute by mentioning those early military pioneers. The PC being the core of our new PA, PCA Alumni are the …
June 25, 1941
Front page news today says FDR pledges all possible support to USSR under German attack on wide front since June 21. Also, Wilhelm II, German ex-Kaiser died, age 82. British RAF fighters shot down 26 Nazi planes showing German air superiority over England is waning with the help of their radar system. I commented previously on the leadership and administration …
June 21, 1941
This is the third week of intensive torpedo training by the 1st Q-Boat Squadron under the supervision of Chief Torpedo man William Mooney USN. We are not only learning a lot but more importantly, we are beginning to know the actual employment and use of this powerful weapon that can sink the mightiest battleship. Needless to say, all hands at …
April 5, 1939
Yesterday I had a very disagreeable incident with General MacArthur which, nevertheless, ended happily. For some time now past, there had come to be recommendations that I propose the creation of a Department of National Defense. My own reorganization board, especially the chairman, Mr. Unson, felt strongly that the Army should not be allowed to become accustomed to hear no …
January 10, 1939
Recently I gave a luncheon for 40 people at the Manila Hotel in honor of Gen. Santos, retiring Chief of Staff, and of Gen. Valdes, newly appointed to that post. The circumstances under which the change was made, gave a popular impression that everyone, including this office, was trying to kick Santos out. My luncheon was given, in the hope …