The Rotary Balita no. 684 (November 8, 1951)

Stressing the need for collective security against communist aggression, President Quirino as Rotary's guest speaker for the United Nations Week, formally launched the plan of a defense alliance of Asian and Pacific countries on the pattern of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He said, "a Pacific security pact which will include all the nations of Asia which believe in freedom and are ready to defend it no matter what the cost, is the crying need of the hour." He pointed out that in military, social and economic fields, Asian countries continue to be the proving grounds of the United Nations. This world organization has done much to meet this challenge through its various agencies like the WHO, ILO, UNESCO, ECAFE, and FAO and also its forces in the battlefields of Korea. He called for positive faith in the United Nations as an organization for peace and urged positive action to back up that faith. He traced the history of the United Nations Organization which was organized in San Francisco six years ago. He related how the UNO carry on its job through its different agencies. The President declared, "We should not allow the statesmanship of Asia to drift into the backwaters of a do-nothing neutralism lest our peoples become enslaved by a system far more oppressive and ruthless than they have ever known." He believed that our country have rightly traced her mutual interests and affinity more firmly still that he appealed that we must rise to meet the exigencies of the epoch when world peace requires our positive contribution. Staged and managed successfully by Hans Menzi, the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel was converted into a replica of the setting of the signing of the Japanese Peace Treaty at San Francisco, presenting a very inspiring background. At 8:35 p. m. President Quirino, accompanied by his escorts, arrived after which the flags of the member nations were presented. Seated on either side of the dais were the members of the diplomatic corps. Mike Arnold emceed the musical numbers which were especially prepared for the occasion. The PWU choral group sang the United Nations March accompanied by the Philippine Army Band. Well-known artists contributed to the program, among them Miss Irma Ponce Enrile, Mr. Dan David, Basilio Manalo, and Professor Jose Carreon who accompanied them on the piano. After the President's speech, Mrs. Carlos P. Romulo, escorted by Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs "Lino" Neri, cut the ribbon that held together a paper globe from which flew 12 reluctant white doves, symbols of peace.