The Rotary Balita no. 690 (February 14, 1952)

Rotarian William Dunn, executive of the Manila Broadcasting Company, narrated the liberation of Manila 7 years ago. Bill at the time was a Columbia Broadcasting correspondent covering General Douglas MacArthur. He was with the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division at the time of liberation. Bill related how a handful of tanks and a column of 1,000 men, elements of the 1st Cavalry Division, sped from Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija to Manila, an enemy territory at the time. In Baliuag, Bulacan, they were met by the happy populace with tears of joy in their eyes while some children kept on pounding the church bells. In Novaliches they were met by the Japanese and fought for several hours. He told of the heroic deeds accomplished by the 1st Cavalry Division and of the Filipino guerrilla troops as the liberation forces entered Manila through Blumentritt then Rizal Avenue. They turned to Quiricada then to Quezon Boulevard. It was at the corner of P. Paredes and Quezon Boulevard that the troops were divided into two, preparatory to the entry of the University of Sto. Tomas. The first column was fired upon by the Japanese troops quartered at the Far Eastern University. The other column proceeded to Sto. Tomas. Bill claimed that MacArthur's stroke was so unexpected and clever that the Japanese soldiers, over 20,000, were caught unaware. The 1st Cavalry elements, following the initial break through the city gates, waited for the 11th Airborne before beginning the battle for Manila's liberation. Rotarian Frederick H. Stevens, internee leader, spoke in behalf of his fellow Sto. Tomas inmates. He praised the courage of Filipinos and non-internees who went through all sorts of dangers to feed and help their friends inside. He described the feeling of the internees as the GI's entered the gates and liberated the main building of the University of Sto. Tomas. He said that nearly 3,000 hysterical internees, laughing, sobbing and shouting were free after more than 3 years of Japanese imprisonment. Mrs. Edna Carman started the song, "God Bless America," then "Star Spangled Banner" and "America." He said too that it was at this moment that one could see tears in the eyes of men who had not cried before. Another speaker was Rotarian E. A. Perkins, who told of his camp job as street sweeper. He also described the first Rotary meeting following liberation. Peg Green, as finemaster, started imposing fines on Conrado Benitez and Dan Gomez the amount of P10.00 apiece for their membership to the Labor-Management Advisory Board. Danding Romualdez and Tony Anton were fined P20.00 each. Tiving Lovina, Al Aquino, David Sycip, Johnny Cojuangco, Sergio Bayan, and Doc Campos were each fined P2.00; Vince Bunuan and George Vargas were fined P5.00 each. Peg Green was fined P10.00 by President Vince for imposing fines on members absent at a certain meeting where he himself was absent.