Heroism for tourism

March 2, 1945 is significant in Philippine history because it saw the fulfillment of General Douglas MacArthur’s "I shall return" promise to the Filipinos that he made in 1942. To commemorate the 57th anniversary of Gen. MacArthur’s return to the Philippines, a simple but dignified presentation and the unveiling of General MacArthur’s bust to the public took place at the Topside Museum in Corregidor. The bronze bust was sculpted in Orlando, Florida and donated by the sculptor himself, Manuel Robinson Guevarra, now a retired US Navy man who has idolized General MacArthur since he was a small boy in Cavite, Philippines.

Manuel Robinson Guevarra was born in San Roque, Cavite in June 1931. His grandfather, Henry Benjamin Robinson, was an American who served as coxswain on the USS Olympia, the flagship of Commodore George Dewey during the famous Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. When Robinson retired from the Navy, he chose to remain in the Philippines after marrying a Filipina named Illuminada Sarmiento, a daughter of Daniel Sarmiento (who, in turn, served in the Spanish Navy). One daughter of this Robinson-Sarmiento marriage was Frances who was married to another Caviteño, Jose Andico Guevarra, who bore Manuel Robinson Guevarra. Ling’s mother, now a widow, still lives in Cavite and joined her son and his US delegation at the Corregidor ceremony.

In 1953, Ling followed in the steps of his father in the US Navy. He was assigned to various ships, then retired after 23 years of service. Like many retired navy Filipino Americans, he then worked for the United States Post Office for another 20 years. After this second retirement he fell in love with sculpting and formally enrolled at the Crealde School of Art in WinterPark, Florida.

It was about 10 years ago during a visit to Corregidor that he decided to sculpt a life-sized bust of General MacArthur to honor the liberator of the Philippines. The sculpture, simply titled "The General," was selected in l998 for the Alice and Williams Jenkins Art Gallery Show. In April 2000, the Orlando Museum of Art invited Guevarra to display "The General" in the museum’s Art of Freedom exhibit, highlighting the contributions of individuals who helped in the fight for freedom and independence in the world.

This elegantly done sculpture was dedicated on behalf of his father, Jose A. Guevarra, MU1, USS Navy; Fausto Dualan, CPO, USN; Joe S. Robinson, G2 Special Agent OSS; USA 239 Engr Battalion Sgt. Clyde S. Robinson, Philippine Navy Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz (ret.); and US Army Sgt. Richard Barber.

As a fellow Filipino expatriate who has lived more than half of his life in America, I admire and congratulate Manuel Robinson Guevarra, fondly called Ling by family and friends, for doing something patriotic for the country of his birth although he has lived in America for most of his life.

Retired Commodore Ramon Alcaraz is the only surviving military member of Ling Guevarra’s family on the father’s side who paved the way for the donation to the Corregidor Memorial Museum. He told the STAR before his trip, "I am making a very sentimental visit to Corregidor during this 57th commemoration of the return of Gen. MacArthur where this patriotic donation of ‘The General’ will also be unveiled and opened to the public. At my age (he turned 86 last August 31), this might be my last trip to Corregidor where Adm. John D. Bulkeley, Commander of the PT Boats used by Gen. MacArthur in his escape from Corregidor, and I fought together against the Japanese Army during the early part of WW II. This trip will not only be very special but will be quite nostalgic."

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Speaking of "sentimental" journeys, this writer and businessman believes that there is a potentially large tourism market in America for the remaining veterans or the heroes (as well as their descendants) of WW II who fought in the Philippines to visit and retrace the American military exploits in the Philippines. One admirable trait of the American people is their knowledge and sense of history as a nation. Schools in America and some non-profit historical societies still re-enact some famous battles of the Civil War between the Union and Confederate soldiers every Memorial Day holiday. The Civil War was over 200 years ago, while the Fall of Bataan was only 60 years ago, and the Philippine-American War was about 100 years ago!

Are the Filipino people still interested in their nation’s colorful history, especially the golden generation of Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio? Do the school children of today know the bravery of many heroes like Apolinario Mabini, Gregorio del Pilar, Marcelo del Pilar, Lopez Jaena, Gomburza, Teodora Agoncillo, Diego and Gabriela Silang? In my visits to the Philippines, I sadly noticed that the sense of history of so many people, especially the young, is pathetically lacking. They are more interested in hedonistic activities, imported commodities and texting – the most prevalent sources of their shallow knowledge!

With the downturn of tourism and the airline industry, it behooves the tourism industry (led by the Department of Tourism) to aggressively try everything that makes sense. And the veterans and/or their descendants are a viable group to visit the Philippines.

People in America who are over 50 are more financially solid and have more disposable income, hence should be the primary market target promotional advertising to visit the Philippines. With due respect to Tourism Secretary Gordon, his cheap advertising gimmick of every Filipino bringing an American (or foreigner) friend will not happen as he dreams it. The Philippines, as a tourist destination, is very poor because of many factors: the dire peace and order situation, kidnappings, airport harassment, terrible traffic, narrow roads and many small things that psychologically deter the less adventurous tourists. Why not spend some money to refurbish tourist destinations, advertise not just casinos or Manila bars but also the war sites like Corregidor where the Americans were involved, the many unspoiled provincial attractions like those in Palawan El Nido or Pangasinan’s Hundred Islands and many beautiful beaches for diving and snorkeling and the Mountain Province’s Banaue Terraces or "Ulap" Paradise by following with some innovations of successful promotions of other countries, like Thailand, Taiwan or Malaysia?

Through the Internet, comparisons are easily made and less desirable places always lose. Like in the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the best eventually won and prevailed. But before they win any medals, the champions must work thousands of hours silently and alone. That is the common trait among champions, be it in sports, scholastic or business.

As the American guru Steven R. Covey said in his best-selling book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to be successful and become a winner in life, one must: 1) Be pro-active, 2) Begin with the end in mind, 3) Put first things first, 4) Think win/win, 5) Seek first to understand, then to be understood, 6) Synergize, 7) Sharpen the saw.

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