Titans Max, Dave Boguslav/Rotary benefit art exhibit

Protracted flu prevented me from attending the launch of “Max V. Soliven: The Man and the Journalist” by Nelson A. Navarro.

An exceptionally brilliant Atenean, Max was the son of the feisty, fervidly nationalistic congressman Benito Soliven who dissuaded him from entering politics. Max instead turned to journalism and his masterful grasp of tradition, history, economics, foreign affairs, politics, governance and culture gave him the keenest perception of people and events.

He thus came to wield such tremendous, unmatched influence that sent shivers down the spine of anyone whom he chastised for straying from the straight and narrow. Or from the law. Arguably, he had become the most powerful journalist of this generation.

Despite the fire and brimstone his columns emitted, he was a softie at heart. No Christmas STAR party was complete without Max giving the staff an inspiring message of faith and hope. He was a Santa Claus to his underlings, and was equally generous to his peers. I shall always be grateful for the consistently high praise he gave my work. He revealed his exceeding humility when he requested me to translate into Spanish the response he was to deliver as recipient of the Isabela la Catolica award.

To be launched this afternoon at 5 at the Solidaridad Bookshop is the voluminous coffeetable book “The Life and the Manila Times of David T. Boguslav” edited and annotated by Marlies Hackett Mañeru, distinguished writer and grand niece of Boguslav, and her husband Luis Antonio Mañeru, eminent Spanish translator.

Of epic proportions, the book contains these chapters: Manila Times History/Boguslav History/Journalism in the Philippines/Jews in Manila/Boguslav's Philippines/The San Francisco Peace Treaty/Sixth UN General Assembly (Paris, France)/The CIA in Manila/The Sternberg-Hackett Connection/Snippets/Southeast Asian Treaty Organization/The Hadji Kamlon Affaire/Correspondence/World War II/Carlos P. Romulo Papers/Philippine Economic Planning/US Policy in the Philippines/China Question/President Elpidio Quirino/President Ramon Magsaysay/Ninoy Aquino to President Noynoy Aquino/About the Authors.

The table of contents indicates the book's widely diverse topics and personalities in American and Filipino governance, politics, economics, finance, foreign relations, espionage, military affairs, etc.

Dave, the Manila Times editor for four decades (1920-1960s) was an American Jew, and his views were those of an American who was fair, honest and thoroughly sympathetic toward Filipinos.

More than this, as the Mañerus state in their preface, “the book — which celebrates Dave's 115th birth anniversary — aims to give the reader a little peek into the life of a fascinating personality who had an ego, to be sure, but held it in check by strict principles to which he adhered such as fair play, honor and an almost fierce loyalty to a self-imposed journalistic oath to write the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, in the best possible way (i.e., honestly and tastefully).”

The letters to and from Dave are riveting. What interests me most are letters written to cultural personalities coursed through Dave. Virginia Capotosto of the Manila Theater Guild writes to Jose Lardizabal in protest of a review he wrote. (I recall Capotosto writing me a similar letter.) What interests me even more are references to artists: dramatic soprano Kathy Sternberg, pianist Aida Sanz Gonzales, contralto Conchita Gaston, to name a few. Dave profusely thanks Executive Secretary J.V. Cruz for services rendered.

This brings me to the shift, to the allusion to Filipino journalists who took over from Dave: Joe Bautista, Jose Luna Castro, E. A. Cruz, Jose Guevarra, etc.

Summing up, the book sheds light on a most significant aspect not only of the history of journalism in the Philippines but also of Philippine history itself. Marlies Hackett Mañeru and Luis Antonio Mañeru have accomplished a gigantic task. Every Filipino interested in his country’s history should acquire a copy of the book.

Another book launched

“Lipa, A Jewel of a City” by Visitacion ‘Chit’ de la Torre was launched at Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club, with guests of honor Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro.

The Rotary Club of Makati West will hold Alay Sining 4, a one-day exhibit and sale of sculptures by 40 eminent artists for the benefit of children urgently needing heart surgery. The event, to be hosted by Rotary president Ramon Jose F. L. Guerrero, past president Ildefonso P. Santos and other officers will be on Monday, Nov. 28, at the Mandarin Oriental Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Heading the sculptors are Nap Abueva, Ed Castrillo and Sanso.