Carlos P. Romulo room at La Salle

My brother lawyer Ricardo J. Romulo, former chairman of the De La Salle Board, made the following remarks at the inauguration last month:

“We are grateful that De La Salle University accepted my father’s most valuable treasures, which span 101 years – from my grandparents’ wedding photo in 1894 to his burial in 1995.

My father’s legacy is a unique one, given the span of his career. His life followed an extraordinary pattern of starting out in a career, topping it, and then moving on to the next. The English professor became the university president; the soldier became a general; the cub reporter became a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist; and the diplomat became an ambassador, a foreign secretary, even “Mr. United Nations.” All told, he served nine presidents in various government positions, most notably as foreign minister, for a total of 17 years.

He had a pivotal role in key events, from the independence missions of the 1920s to the second world war and the formation of the United Nations.

I would like to acknowledge and thank Liana Romulo, our foundation’s archivist, for all the work she has devoted to the collection, the collation of CPR’s memorabilia, and especially for putting together the exhibit you have come to see.” 

My daughter Liana also spoke at the inauguration:

“When we conceived the idea of the Romulo Room, we wanted to create a space that was specifically for young people, a place where they would want to hang out, study, and maybe, hopefully, imbibe the best of CPR: His leadership, his sense of humor, his unstinting commitment to excellence, his intelligence, passion, his legendary work ethic, and his integrity. In short, we wanted the leaders of tomorrow to be infected with his energy and enthusiasm . . . his magic.

CPR was once declared, in the early ‘70s, the most awarded human being not just in the Philippines, but in the entire planet, having received more than 70 honorary degrees and more than 150 awards and decorations. The Romulo room attempts to exhibit most of his memorabilia.

He was a public servant from the day he graduated from Columbia University until the day he died in 1985. So what stands out, at least in my mind, is that public service – and I mean outstanding, quality public service performed for the greater good rather than the kind motivated by greed and personal profit - is given due recognition. What comes across to me is that there’s great dignity in serving others.”