There will always be a Philippines

BABE'S EYE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.

- AMBASSADOR B. ROMUALDEZ

During my early years in life, I would often hear the adults in the room talk about the political climate in our country. During the 1950s, the conversations would inevitably go into politics and some corruption in government, specifically the famous "golden bed" of President Elpidio Quirino.

I also remember hearing about the "Hukbalahap" (short for Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon or People's Army Against the Japanese), a guerrilla army during World War II that fought the Japanese and subsequently went after Filipinos who were suspected of being "collaborators." The Huks and their leaders then embraced communist ideology and were engaged in a rebellion against the government, with the armed conflict spreading across Central Luzon. Then there was the Korean War, with the Philippines sending an army contingent known as the PEFTOK (Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea) to join the UN Forces. There was also the sad news about the death of President Ramon Magsaysay in a plane crash, a topic that was discussed in rather subdued tones, and I could somehow feel the sense of disquiet among the adults.

And to a young man like me, it seemed like there was so much turbulence in the country and all over the world. So during one family dinner, I asked my father what will happen to the country, and I will never forget what he said: "No matter what, there will always be a Philippines."