Manuel Acuna Roxas was born in Capiz, (now Roxas City), on January 1, 1892. He became an orphan at an early age. His father died because of the atrocity of the guardia civil during the Spanish time. When the Americans landed in Capiz in 1898, he befriended them to learn their language .The early years of school in the life of Manuel was spent in St. Joseph's College in Hongkong where he finished his elementary course. He returned to the Philippines and continued his studies in high school at Araullo High School where he finished it in 1910 with the highest honors. He studied law at Y.M..C.A., but transferred to the University of the Philippines where he finished the course in 1913. He took the bar exam given by the Supreme Court and got the highest score. Because of his proficiency in Spanish, and English language, he was appointed interpreter in a court and later,became the secretary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Cayetano Arellano. In 1917, he was elected councilor of Capiz, and later as governor of the province of Capiz. Later on, he was elected Representative of Capiz and became the Speaker of the House. He held the position for 11 years. In 1938, he was appointed by President Quezon as Head of the National Economic Council and Secretary of Finance. He also became the head of the National Development Company. He was elected Senator in 1941. When the war broke out in 1941, he served in the office of Gen. MacArthur. Because of his adeptness and experience, he was appointed to lead the army as a General.
On February 20,1942, Quezon escaped to U.S.through Australia. He wanted to bring Roxas to Australia but the latter demurred because he believed his presence in the Philippines was needed to boost the morale of the people and the armed forces. Convinced of his logic, Quezon sadly proceeded to Australia, leaving Roxas behind. On May 6, 1942, Corregidor fell. On May 11,1942, Roxas was captured by the Japanese in Mindanao. Gen. Yoshihida Hayashi ordered to execute Roxas for refusing to collaborate with the Japanese. A Christian Japanese officer, Lt. Col. Nobuhiko Jimbo who admired Roxas' brilliant intelligence and patriotism after talking to him for three days, did not obey Hayashi's order. He hid Roxas at the Furukuwa Plantation and rushed by military plane to Manila and submitted Roxas' case and pleaded for his life to Gen. Homma , who upon Gen. Washi's recommendation, rescinded Hayashi's execution order. On November 22,1942, Col. Jimbo brought Roxas to Manila and took him to his home to reunite with his family.
Roxas was appointed as head of the Economic Council Planning Board and Food Administrator under the Japanese government. He secretly kept in touch with the guerrilla movement . He informed the guerrillas of every move of the Japanese. Many of his messengers were caught and killed by the enemy but not one of them squealed the true mastermind of the secret movement .
In December 1944,Roxas was taken by the Japanese to Baguio City, but he escaped his captors and rejoined Gen. MacArthur in April 1945.
When peace was restored, Roxas was elected as head of the Commonwealth Assembly in 1945. He run for presidential election on which he won and became the third and last president of the Commonwealth government On April 23, 1946 he won the presidential election and became the first President of the Philippine Republic that was inaugurated on July 4,1946 ,upon the proclamation of Philippine Independence witnessed by 25 nations in Luneta, Manila. But never was a republic born in the world with such staggering problems as the new-born Republic of the Philippines. The Philippines was the most devastated by the Japanese during the Second World War _"the most completely destroyed and dislocated battleground of war".
Roxas, a brilliant and able statesman.began the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the war-ravaged Philippines. With the economic and military assistance of the United States, he was able to improve the ruined economy, to check the rising tide of inflation, and to stabilize the Philippine currency. He launched many projects. His term in office was marked by great strides in restoring our country to its pre-war status and by a very great improvement in government income.
On April 15,1948, after he delivered a speech as a guest speaker before the U.S. 13th Air Force at Clark Airfield, Pampanga he had a heart attack and passed away that night. His untimely death orphaned the country when he was needed most. In memory of his selfless service to his country, places ,streets and buildings were named after him as a way of remembering his greatness.But the best way to honor him is to emulate his deeds.
References: _A Brief History of the Philippines , Bulwagan ng mga Bayani , The Philippines; a Unique Nation , In the Grade School_April ,1965
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