A MOLA VE OF HIS COUNTRY

Souvenir book in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of a man who in the first decade of this century proved the capacity of the Filipino for leadership and integrity in public finance and the administration of justice, and thereby laid down the foundation of the nation's capacity for self-government and independence. 19 April 1 8 6 9 -1 9 April 1969

Los caracteres se forman

PARRAFOS DEL DISCURSO PRONUNCIADO POR EL HON GREGORIO ARANETA, SECRETARIO DE HACIENDA Y JUSTICIA EN LA SOLEMNE INVESTIDURA EN LA IGLESIA DE STO. DOMINGO, CON OCASION DEL TRICENTENARIO DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE STO. TOMAS . . . Los caracteres se forman con el yunque del trabajo y de la constancia, crecen en la lucha y con los sacrificios, se fortalecen con el dominio de la propia voluntad y las privaciones de los placeres de la vida, y se purifican con el crisol de la emulación ante el espejo dé vir­ tuosos actos; y la vida escolar universitaria suministra tales medios de perfeccionamiento del carácter. Y bien sabéis, señores, lo que vale el carácter en los hombres. Los problemas que afectan á la humanidad no se resuelven por medio solo de axiomas filosóficos ni de sabias legisla­ ciones; es factor esencial el carácter de las personas llamadas á resol­ verlos . . . . . Nadie puede negar que la religión cristiana es la base de la verdadera civilización. Ella representa una renovación de la vida entera de la humanidad. Ella dignificó al hombre; quebró las cadenas del esclavo; combatió la tiranía; predicó la igualdad ante Dios y ante la ley, la sumisión y obediencia á la autoridad, el amor al prójimo, el perdón de las injurias, la generosidad con el vencido, el socorro al desvalido, el amparo de la inocencia; ella elevó a la esposa, haciéndola compañera del varón y estrechó al mismo tiempo que suavizó los lazos de la familia; ella dulcificó las lágrimas del desgraciado, ensalzó la virtud y condenó el vicio, reconcilió los pueblos; ella fundó la verdadera democracia uniendo en su amoroso seno a todos los hombres, especialmente los pobres y des- heradados de la fortuna, para ser todos ellos hermanos. Sus doctrinas fueron el rayo de luz que iluminó el espíritu del mundo y sus enseñanzas el rocío que fecundo la conciencia de la humanidad. . . . Los hombres están divididos, más ó menos marcadamente, en dos bandos en cuanto al concepto de la vida. Unos la consideran como la posesión de una cosa propia para satisfacción y goce propios. Otros, en cambio, la conservan como un preciado fideicomiso recibido dé Dios y usan de ella para gloria de este y bien de la humanidad. Y estas dos tendencias el egoísmo y el altruismo han influido en la vida de las naciones y en la política de los gobiernos. Haced que impere el egoísmo en un gobierno, y lo vereis pronto convertido en la oligarquía más des­ pótica y arbitraria; quitád los hombres altruistas, y vereis á las naciones ir al retroceso ...... Para el engrandecimiento de nuestro pueblo, para la realización de nuestras supremas aspiraciones, no debemos obrar movidos del egoísmo y de la ambición personal, hace falta generosidad, abnegación, sacrificios en aras de la patria. . . . En el ejercicio de vuestras respectivas profesiones no os mueva la conveniencia personal, sino el amor al prójimo y la honra de Dios; no os impulse la codicia, sino la satisfacción de hacer el bien. Sea la vestidura que hoy lleváis puesta la majestuosa enseña de la ciencia, el distintivo honroso de una noble profesión, y no la convirtáis, no, en. ,1a envoltura y etiqueta de una mercancía. Sea la fé la antorcha que ilumine nuestras inteligencias la caridad la palanca que mueva nuestras voluntades, y la esperanza en otra vida superior y eterna el néctar que apague la sed de nuestras ambiciones. El libro oficial de estas reseñas publicado por la Universidad de Sto. Tomas ofrece la siguiente nota, al final del discurso: “Fue tan grande la emoción que este magnifico discurso admirablemente dicho por su autor, causó en el numerosísimo público que le oia, que a pesar de hallarse en el templo, el auditorio prornimpió en una formidable salva de aplausos." What I know of Don Gregorio Araneta comes from what I read and heard about him. His is a deathless existence in Philippine history. He belonged to another generation past mine. I saw him but once in my life. He was delivering the above tercentenary speech on the University of Santo Tomas from the chancel of the Santo Domingo church in Intra- muros in Manila. I was inspired by his personality and the way he ex­ pressed himself. By any human yardstick, he was a great man, a noble man, a suc­ cessful man. At the turn of the XXth century, when America took over the Philippines in sovereignty, he was one of the two Filipinos who impressed the early Americans here most for their character and bril­ liance of mind. The other man was Don Cayetano Arellano, who be­ came the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The first American Civil Governor of the Philippines, Mr. William Howard Taft, who subsequently became President of the United States and the Chief Justice of its Suppreme Court, placed them intellectually and morally on the same level as the highest and best leaders in any civilized country in the world. In assessing the greatness of Don Gregorio Araneta, it is enlighten­ ing to do it by what he might do today if, for instance, he were the President of the Philippines. This writer advances the following opinions for what they may be worth : 1. He would maintain law and order with both firmness and un­ derstanding, appreciating the economic and social considerations involved in any given case. He would work for a more equitable distribution of the country's wealth. And he would ameliorate the country’s poverty. 2. He would extirpate graft and corruption in a thorough-going manner whoever might be hit and he would make the culprit suffer for his faults. And thus he would end the comico-tragic era of investiga­ tions without results. The government would be cleansed and its work would be more efficient. 3. His example of personal integrity would be a sure guide for his subordinates as well as of the social and business leaders of the country in private life. That would make for the purification of the moral tone of the nation which today has much to condemn itself. 4. He would have democracy and involvement-called by one of his sons, Salvador, “Bayanicracy”—as the basic ideal of the Filipino people as against any form of totalitarianism, economic or political. 5. He would be a Chief Executive who by hi3 dignity, authority and sense of justice would earn the respect and confidence of the Fili­ pino people. That would make for public tranquillity and stability of the government. 6. Finally, he would work for a new Philippine Constitution that would carry out the ideals of the Filipino nation in a faithful and effective manner and thereby captivate the admiration of the world. April 18, 1970 Vicente Villamin

u A MOLAVE OF HIS COUNTRY

Souvenir book in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of a man who in the first decade of this century proved the capacity of the Filipino for leadership and integrity in public finance and the administration of justice, and thereby laid down the foundation of the nation’s capacity for self-government and independence. 19 April 1869 — 19 April 1969

The spiritual heritage left by Don Gregorio Araneta to the nation and his children. Copyright, 1970 All Eights. Reserved AIA' Ihc. Press' Victoneta Park, Malabon, Rizal Philippines Introduction

With loving interest, Salvador, who is the oldest living member of our family has put together this modest collec­ tion of items, to serve a two-fold purpose. It is a tribute to our father, Gregorio, from those who knew and loved him. It is a personal introduction for those who have only heard of him. Father will be remembered in history as a public servant. But he was much more than that. He was a full man both in the classic and the Christian sense. He was a man of learning and a man of great personal discipline. He was a family man. He brought fourteen children to the world. He had time and love for all of us. He was a devoted son of the Church. He was strict in the fulfillment of every duty. But he understood his Chris­ tianity more deeply than that. Long before our modern ideas on the lay apostolate had been developed, he under­ stood the role of the Christian in the economic and political life of the country. He made every effort to bring into these areas integrity and the spirit of service. Though his generation and its ways have passed, we who knew Father also know that he was “a man for all times.”

FRANCISCO ARANETA, S.J.

Table of Contents

Los caracteres se forman—By Gregorio Araneta ...... i Preface—By Vicente Villamin ...... ii Introduction—By Rev. Francisco Araneta, S.J...... v Life With Father—By Salvador Araneta ...... ix Curriculum V itae...... xi Program of "activities ...... xiii He was the Government’s good servant but God’s first— By Rev. Horacio de la Costa, S.J...... 1 He goes on animating us!—By Salvador' Araneta...... 8 The man was greater than the legend—By Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion ...... 11 A monument to the capabilities of the Filipinos— By Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion...... 19 The outstanding Filipino jurist—By President Carlos P. Garcia ... 21 The history of a nation is the imprint of the character of its great men—By Justice Jesus Barrera ...... 23 The Aranetas are a rare breed of Filipinos— By Senator Raul Manglapus ...... 24 There is a greater happiness in giving than in receiving— By Salvador Araneta ...... 25 In the sanctuary of his home—By Mrs. Natividad A lbert...... 32 The Araneta Centenary (The Manila Chronicle) ...... 34 An example worthy of emulation—By Hon. Carlos P. Romulo...... 36 He approaches the proportions of a genius— By Judge Guillermo B. Guevara ...... 37 The making of an early nationalist—By Carlos Quirino ...... 39 The best executive officer—By Judge Jose C. Abreu...... 46 Jottings—By Ma. Lourdes R uiz...... 51 Don G. Araneta in the eyes of our leaders, friends, and the media at the time of his death...... 63 He ranks among the greatest—By President Manuel L. Quezon .... 54 The country has lost a public servant without blemish— By Pres. Sergio Osmena ...... 54 I admire Don Gregorio as a patriot—By Speaker de las Alas...... 55 An excellent jurist—By Justice Abad Santos ...... 55 In all his contacts in life he was great—By Atty. de W itt...... 57 A great asset to our progress—By Senator Juan Sumulong ...... 58 Two lovable and great men—By Justice George Malcolm ...... 59 The business of his soul was his first concern— By Justice Ignacio Villamor ...... 60 A lofty spirit—By Chief Justice Ramon Avancena ...... 62 Man of intellectual dynamism—By Justice Jose V era...... 64 The sturdy “molaves” of the race—By Carlos P. Romulo (Editorial of the Tribune) ...... 68 Late Araneta had colorful public career (The Tribune) ...... 71 Character of a great citizen is portrayed (The Tribune) ...... 73 Don Gregorio Araneta (Editorial, Manila Daily Bulletin) ...... 77 One of its greatest citizens (Editorial, The Guidon) ...... 78 Two good men—and true (Editorial, Free Press) ...... 79 Supreme Court pays high tribute to Taft, Araneta (Herald) ...... -80 A Molo man (Editorial of Free Press) ...... 82 Araneta funeral—simple, dignified (Phil. Herald) ...... 85 Two letters of Chief Justice William H. Taft ...... 89 Gregorio Araneta, founder of independent, competent, and honest judiciary—By Hon. Miguel Cuenco ■ ...... 91 Pictures of Don Gregorio and Doña Carmen Zaragoza...... 97-98 Spanish Articles Hallo su gusto en la ley del señor—By the Apostolic Delegate Guillermo Pianni ...... 101 Perdida enorme para la acción Católica (La Defensa) ...... 102 Un historial inmaculado (El Tiempo) ...... 103 Taft y Araneta (El Debate) ...... 104 Puso a gran altura la capacidad del Filipino— By Justice Ignacio Villamor ...... 105 Un dechado de virtud y fortaleza— By Rev. Juan Coll, S.J...... 109 Un patriota sin ruido y ostentación (La Vanguardia) ...... 114 Apóstol de un pueblo, de una raza (La Opinion) ...... 116 Talento preclaro de estadista (La Tribuna) ...... 118 Presto meritisimo servicios (El Excelsim) ...... • ...... 119 Una de las eminencias cumbre—By Jose Lopez V ito...... 121 Patriota, estadista, legislador, sabio y Cristiano— By Gregorio Jalbuena ...... 121 De una sensillez encantadora—By Jesus Balmori...... 122 Las exequias por Don G. Araneta el 20 (El Mercantil) ...... 125 Acto necrológico en honor a Araneta (La Vanguardia) ...... 126 La misa pontifical por Don G. Araneta fue muy solemne (La Vanguardia) ...... 128 A Gregorio—By Salvador Zaragoza ...... 130 Ahora que gozo del descanso eterno—By Salvador Zaragoza...... 133 Picture of R. Hidalgo ...... 134 Two family trees ...... 146 Index ...... 164 Life with Father By His Son, Salvador

My Early Recollections WHEN I LOOK back through the years, my earliest memory is of being carried in my father’s arms. I must have been only two or three years old then. That particular day, I was suffering from an acute toothache. Hoping to soothe away the pain, my father cuddled my head on his shoulder as he paced back and forth the long caida of our home on San Sebastian Street in Quiapo. This early memory is well-etched, all the others are like flashes in a kaleidoscope—quick, colorful but somewhat disconnected. I remember being awakened early in the morning to see Halley’s comet streaking across the sky. Yet this memory is mixed with being awakened early during another morning to see in the sky a vast red glow which, I was told, came from the first eruption of Taal volcano. I also remember the excitement of the morning when the Virgin of Antipolo passed before our house when she was brought to Manila for a triumphal coronation around 1907. I remember visiting other houses where the processions would pass. Once we even went to Tondo to watch a procession from the house of the good Valente, my grandmother’s bookkeeper, who wrote with the nice old penmanship no longer seen these days. There were also visits to a family friend’3 house near San Sebas­ tian church to watch the procession of the Virgen del Carmen, during the years before the procession in her honor passed through our street. I also remember the big world news of those days at the begin­ ning of this century. From conversations with my father, I learned of the death of Edward VI, of the first decrees from Pope Pius X such as the early reception of First Communion by children, the prohibition of lay women from singing in the choir and the emphasis on Gregorian music. Through these conversations, I also remember following the rising star of former Civil Governor William Howard Taft who later became the 27th President of the United States. Of course, I remember the children’s parties. Aside from the tra­ ditional Christmas Eve celebrations with many presents for all the children, there were also numerous birthday parties for cousins and friends. Once my father brought us to a children’s party given by an American friend of his. Several other times, he brought us to the big parties held in the house of the Legarda-Prieto-Valdes family, which was the biggest mansion on our street. During one of my birthdays as a very young child, my parents organized a banquet where we were treated as grown-ups. A formal dining table for sixteen was set for my cousin Jose Tuason and his cousins Tony Prieto and Ben Legarda, for our neighbors and friends, the Paternos, Valdeses and Roceses, for my eldest brother Jose and me. After the banquet, a few of us gave prepared speeches, with one acting as the toastmaster. As honoree and celebrant, I stood up to make the final speech on that occasion. The House My Father Built IN MY YOUTH, there was always the house on San Sebastian street. Although that street is known by another name today, in my mind it is still San Sebastian—so named in honor of the saint who is venerated in the church which stands at the beginning of this ancient street.' To­ day, San Sebastian is called Hidalgo street, in honor of Resurrección Hidalgo, the famous Filipino painter, who once lived there. During the first nine years of my parents’ marriage* they lived in a house on San Sebastian which was owned by my grandmother. Here their first four children, including myself, were born. We were told that the first baby came three years after their wed­ ding, a lapse of time which caused my parents no little amount of an­ xiety. Mother bathed in a spring in Marikina which was reputed then to have fertility powérs. With my father, she danced at the church of San Pascual Baylon in Navotas to ask the good saint for children. Their prayers were generously heard and my parents were blessed with 14 children. I was a very young child, aged one or two years, when we trans­ ferred into our very own house which was also on San Sebastian street. My father commissioned Don Arcadio Arellano, one of Manila’s re­ nowned architects then, to design the house. The house my father built had two storeys—the first was elevated about a meter from the ground, the second rose about four and a half meters from the first floor. The ceiling must have been about five meters high on the second storey, but it seemed ever so much higher to me as a child. The house distinguished itself from all the houses in the area for being one of the two that were set back from the street. In the front yard there was an elevated garden with steps and balusters and in láter years a fountain was built in the center designed by my co-alumni from Harvard, Juan Nakpil. The house had a frontage of 12 meters on the lower floor and 14 meters on the upper floor and about 88 meters deep in the lower floor and 39 meters on the upper floor. The house was divided into two rows of rooms without a single corridor. On the west side fronting the street were the study room of my father and above it was the sala, This was followed by the entrance and stair hallway. The stairs led to another room of about 12 meters long by 7 meters wide which we called the caída. Behind the caída was the dining room 10 x 6 meters, followed by an azotea which in later years was covered and turned into a porch. On the east side adjoining the sala and the caída (Continued on page 134) Curriculum vitae of Don Gregorio Araneta Born—April 19, 1869 in Molo, Iloilo Parents—Felix Araneta and Paz Soriano Brothers and Sisters—Leopoldo, Angel, Isabel, Pablo,1 Mar­ ciano, (Gregorio), Anastacio, Maria, Filomena, Rosa­ rio, Lina, Jose, Concha, Candelaria, Encarnación, Fe­ licito, Remedios. : Children—Carmita (died at the age of 3), Jose (died 1943 killed by the Japanese at the age of 42), Salvador, Consuelo (died 1944 at.the age of 41), Paz, Rosa, An­ tonio, Ramon (died 1952 at the age of 45), Teresa, Vicente, Conchita (died at the age 23), Margarita, Luis and Francisco. Entered Ateneo Municipal de Manila in 1879, at the age of 10. Graduated Bachelor of Arts from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, 1884, at the age of 15. Won the first prize in a Philosophical Contest held at Sto. Tomas University to celebraté the elevation to the Car- dinalate of Rev. Fr. Céferino Gonzales, with his dis­ sertation on “Darwinian Transformation”—while stu­ dying Pre-Law at Sto. Tomas University, 1884. Graduated Licensiado en Derecho—Sto. Tomas University, 1891, at the age of 22. Graduate in Surveying. Practised law in the famous Law firm of Don Ignacio Icaza. Had his famous incident with the Spanish Guardia Civil— 1891. Married Doha Carmen Zaragoza y Roxas—March 7, 1896. Acting Fiscal0 of the Audiencia dé Manila and held this posi­ tion for eighteen months, 1894-1895. Appointed by General Aguinaldo1, member of the National Assembly (when the Malolos Constitution was drafted) September 14, 1898. Appointed Secretary Genérál of the Congress in Malolos. Appointed by General Aguinaldo Secretary of Justice of the Republic, September 26, 1898. Member of the famous Committeé under Dr. Felipe G. Cal­ deron that drafted the Malolos Constitution. Appointed member of the Commission created to announce to the world the establishment of the Philippine Re­ public-—Novembér 1898. Appointed by General Aguinaldo, upon advice of Mabini as

< General Pablo Araneta of the Philippine revolution. member of the Commission, headed by Felipe Buen- camino, to discuss matters of Phil-American relations with General Merritt. Appointed Justice of the Supreme Court—U.S. military re­ gime, 1899. One of the founders of the Partido Federal on December 23, 190°. Appointed Solicitor General of the Civil Government by the U.S., upon recommendation of Governor Taft, 1900. This position was created by the Philippine Commis­ sion, specially for Don Gregorio to help the American Attorney General, Mr. Wifley. Appointed first Filipino Attorney General—July 16, 1905. Nominated member of the Supreme Court by President Theo­ dore Roosevelt, upon recommendation of Governor Taft which would have given a majority to the Fili­ pinos in the Supreme Court, an appointment which was opposed by the American community when the ap­ pointment reached the U.S. Senate for confirmation. A solution to the problem was found by having Jus­ tice Tracey who was nominated Secretary of Finance and Justice to keep his position in the Supreme Court while Don Gregorio was appointed Secretary of Fi­ nance and Justice, the first Filipino to hold a cabinet position during the American regime at the age of 39, July 1, 1908. Resigned from the Cabinet, upon the change of Administra­ tion when Governor Harrison became Governor Gen­ eral, 1913. Practised Law with Salvador Zaragoza as his partner, 1913- 1930. Ran for Senator in the Fourth Senatorial District (Manila, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna) together with General Teo­ doro Sandiko, under the banner of the Partido Demó­ crata, and lost to Rafael Palma and Pedro Guevara of the Nacionalista Party, 1st election under the Jones Law, 1916. Professor of Civil Law, Sto. Tomas University, 1916-1930. Part-time President, Cristobal Oil Co., 1918-1922. His son, Salvador joined him in the Practice of Law, 1922. Manuel Lim, joined him in the Practice of Law, 1923. Rafael Dinglasan, joined him in the Practice of Law— Francisco Capistrano, later Justice of the Supreme Court, joined his law office. His son, Antonio joined him in the Practice of Law—1928. Delivered the Inaugural address “Dissertation on Charac­ ter,” at Sto. Tomas University, 1924. Died at 4:45 p.m. in his home, 1030 R. Hidalgo, Manila— March 9, 1930. Program Of Activities to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of DON GREGORIO ARANETA April 19, 1969: HOLY MASS — Ateneo Chapel, Padre Faura, 11:00 a.m. Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Francisco Araneta, S.J. Assisted by: Rev. Fr. Samuel Wiley, S.J. Rev. Fr. Pedro Achutegui, S.J. Sermon: Most Rev. Fr. Horacio de la Costa, S.J., Provincial, Society of Jesus BANQUET — Coral Ballroom,1 Manila Hilton, 12:00 noon. Speakers: Salvador Araneta Hon. Roberto Concepcion CONCERT — “An Evening of Introspection” — sponsored by Gregorio Araneta, Inc., in cooperation with the Women’s Board of the Manila Symphony Society 8:00 p.m., Rizal Park Auditorium Participants: Rev. Fr. Bernard, O.C.D., Pianist The Manila Symphony Orchestra Mr. Restituto Umali, Guest Conductor Miss Josefina Lizares, Soprano

1 At the head table were seated: Vice-Pres. Fernando Lopez, Former President Carlos P. Garcia, Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion, Justice Claudio Teehankee,- Ambassador John Mansfield Addis, Secretary Carlos P. Romulo, Justice J. B. L. Reyes, Justice Ri­ cardo Paras, Mrs. Esperanza Vda. de Osmefia, Amb. Jose Delgado, Fr. George Willmann, S.J., Marclal Lichauco, Jose Tuason, Mercedes L. de Araneta, Carolina Vda. de Zaragoza, Oscar Araneta, Maria Cacho, Carmen Albert de Luz, Rosa A. de Alcuaz, Carolina Tuason, Pacita Clemente, and Salvador Araneta. GREGORIO ARANETA MEMORIAL LECTURES University of Sto. Tomas

April 17: Introductory Remarks: Rev. Fr. Jesus Diaz, O.P. Salvador Araneta Speaker: Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion April 24: Speaker: Hon. Carlos P. Garcia May 8: Speaker: Senator Arturo Tolentino May 15: Speaker: Hon. Diosdado Macapagal May 22: Speaker: Hon. Jesus Barrerà May 29: Speaker: Hon. Raul Manglapus

DEDICATION CEREMONIES: Inauguration and Blessing of the Electroencephalograph Laboratory in mem­ ory of alumnus DON GREGORIO ARANETA U.S.T. Hospital, April 20, 1969, 10:00 a.m.

Short talk: Rev. Fr. Jesus Diaz, O.P.

Response: Salvador Araneta LAYING OF THE CORNERSTONE'OF THE GREGORIO ARANETA AUDITORIUM AT THE ARANETA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION By Rev. Francisco Araneta* S.J. at 4:00 p.m., April 18, 1970.

20 RADIO ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCES DIVIDED IN two sessions of th irty Min u tes ea ch , broad­ cast IN MANILA FROM APRIL 6, 1970 TO MAY 15, 1970, AND IN THE PROVINCES FROM MARCH 31 TO APRIL 18, 1970. MANILA: Radio Veritas (DZRV), DZHP PROVINCES: DZNS (Vigan) DYRF (Cebu) DZPA (Bangued) DYSA (Iloilo) • DZWT (Baguio) DYWC (Guihulngan) DZDL (Dagupan) DXBI (Basilan) DZJB (Tarlac) DYRD (Tagbilaran) DZCI (Cabanatuan) DXDD (Ozamis) DZJO (Infanta) DXCD (Tagum) DZWO (Legaspi) DXMS (Cotabato) DYAF (Bacolod) DXND (Cotabato) PARTICIPANTS First Conference: Theme: What can be expected of the 1971 Constitutional Convention ? Speaker Jose B. Laurel, Jr. Mr. Eugenio Padua Mr. Juan Borra Mr. Antonio de Joya Fr. Horacio de la Costa, S.J. Second Conference: Theme: What are the proper subjects of a Constitution of a country? How can it be made rigid in some respects and elastic in other areas? Speaker Jose B. Laurel, Jr. Mr. Antonio de Joya Mr. Juan Borra Atty. Jose Feria Mr. Eugenio Padua Atty. Froilan Bacungan Third Conference: Theme: What should be the spirit of the Constitution and what should be the foundations of the , State? Dr. Juan Salcedo, Jr. Atty. Serafin V. C. Guingona Fr. Francis Senden Atty. M. A. T. Caparas Engr. Gonsalo del Rosario Fourth Conference: Theme: What educational policies should be inserted in the Constitution? Dr. Juan Salcedo, Jr. Atty. Serafin V. C. Guingona Fr. Francis Senden Atty. M. A. T. Caparas Engr. Gonsalo del Rosario Fifth Conference: Theme: What cultural policies should be inserted in the Constitution? Mrs. Carmen Guerrero Nakpil Prof. Vicente de Vera Mr. Juan G. Frivàldo Dr. Tierry Garcia Sixth Conference: Theme: The Role of the Mass Media in carrying out the bloodless constitutional revolution of the Phil­ ippines. To what extent should the profit mo­ tive be reduced, and operation for public wel­ fare be stressed? How? Mrs. Carmen Guerrero Nakpil Atty. Sèrafin V. C. Guingona Mr. Juan G. Frivaldo Dr. Tierry Garcia Mr. Eduardo Sanchez Seventh Conference — Land and Natural Resources Devel­ opment Policies to promote diffusion of property own­ ership. Dr. Manuel Gallego Atty. Ruben Roxas Mr. Jose Romero Jr. Dra. Lourdes Sanvictores Eighth Conference—What new constitutional reforms should be inserted in the Bill of Rights and Duties? Dr. Manuel Gallego Secretary Narciso Ramos Secretary Manuel Lim Atty. Ruben Roxas Atty. Amelito Mutuc Dra. Lourdes Sanvictores Ninth Conference — The doctrine of Jus Soli. What citizen­ ship policies should be adopted to promote the Chinese residents in the Philippines to become part of our body politic? Ambassador Juan Arreglado Atty. Narciso Pimentel Justice Felix Angelo Bautista Mr. Vicente Tañedo Atty. Fortunato de Leon Mr. Luis Taruc Tenth Conference — What should be the obligations of a citizen? Ambassador Juan Arreglado Fr. Pacifico Ortiz, S.J. Justice Felix Angelo Bautista Mr. Vicente Tañedo Atty. Fortunato de Leon Mr. Luis Taruc Eleventh Conference — Privileges of a citizen. What Filipi- nization measures should be inserted in the Constitu­ tion? Atty. Jose F. S. Bengzon Jr. Secretary Hilarión Henares Jr. Atty. Alfonso Felix Jr. Atty. Cirilo J. Paredes Atty. Teopisto Guingona Jr. Twelfth Conference — A new breed of Public Officers. Atty. Jose F. S. Bengzon Jr. Secretary Hilarión Henares Jr. Atty. Alfonso Felix Jr. Atty. Cecilio Pe Atty. Serafín V. C. Guingona Msgr. Florencio E. Yllana Thirteenth Conference — Unicameral vs. Bicameral. Mr. Vicente Araneta Atty. Hugo Gutierrez Mr. Apolinario Batalla Judge Teofilo Reyes Mr. Celso Carunungan Ambassador Jose Romero Sr. Fourteenth Conference — Presidential, Parliamentary or Semi-Parliamentáry? , Mr. Vicente Araneta Atty. Hugo Gutierrez Mr. Apolinario Batalla Ambassador Jose Romero Sr. ; Governor Miguel Cuaderno : Fifteenth Conference — Independence of the Judicial Power. Ambassador Melquíades J. Justice Roman Ozaeta Gamboa Justice Jose Ma. Paredes Secretary Hilarión Henares Jr. Sixteenth Conference — The National Economic Development Authority. Engr. Manuel I. Felizardo Secretary Hilarión Henares Jr. Dr. Manuel Gallego Governor Eugenio Padua Seventeenth Conference — Local Autonomy. Commissioner Jose P. Carag Governor Eugenio Padua Atty. Serafín V. C. Guingona Prof. Juan Rivera Dr. Raul de Guzman Eighteenth Conference — Constitutional Tribunal: The Tri­ bune of the People. Ambassador Juan Arreglado Dean Irene Cortes Chairman Juan Borra Nineteenth Conference — PHILCONSA Committee’s Propo­ sals on Constitutional Reforms. Chairman Juan Borra Justice Jose Ma. Paredes President Carlos P. Garcia Mr. Luis Taruc President Diosdado MacapagalAtty. Haydee Yorac Twentieth Conference — PHILCONSA Committee’s Propo­ sals on Constitutional Reforms. . Chairman Juan Borra Justice Jose Ma. Paredes President Carlos P. Garcia Mr. Luis Taruc President Diosdado MacapagalAtty. Haydee Yorac He was the Government’s good servant but God’s first

Homily of Most Rev. Fr. Horacio de la Costa, S.J., Provincial of the Jesuit Order in the Phil­ ippines, at the Mass in commemoration of the centenary of Don Gregorio’s birth, 19 April 1969.

Let us praise illustrious men, our ancestors in their suc­ cessive generations . . . They directed the people by their advice, by their understanding of the popular mind, and by the wise words of their teaching . . . Generous men, whose good works have not been forgotten. In their descendants there remains a rich inheritance born of them. — Ecclesiasticus 44, 1-11. This Mass is being offered by the family of the late Don Gregorio Araneta in commemoration of the one-hundredth anniversary of his birth. So touching a manifestation of filial devotion leads us to reflect on the great virtue from which it springs, a virtue that is in some danger of being neglected or even looked upon with disfavor among us to­ day. I mean the virtue of piety. The word “piety” is much used—and much abused. For that matter, so is the word “virtue”. When a person is said to be virtuous, it is often pretty clearly implied that this trait is at best a weakness, at worst a fraud. Virtue in a woman is a fragile thing, to be wrapped in cotton wool and kept in a jewel box. Virtue in a man is either sheer hypo­ crisy or, if genuine, implies a deplorable lack of manliness. A real man should have one or two strong vices—the stress being placed on the adjective “strong”. There you have the essential contrast—vice is strength, sincerity, bursting health; virtue is weakness, duplicity, hypochondria. Or, as the poet Swinburne put it, using the time-tested device of guilt by association, when we think of virtue and vice, we must think of “the lilies and languors of virtue, the roses and raptures of vice”. And yet—and yet, what is the original meaning of “vir­ tue”, from what root is it derived? It is derived from the root “vir”, which is the Latin word for man. To the simple- minded Romans, virtue is the quality of being a man, that is, of being a male, with all the ruggedness of body and mind that simple-minded, uncomplicated people associate with mas­ culinity. They seem to have thought, poor things, that it takes a lot more guts to overcome a temptation than to yield to it; that to be bad takes no effort, even a child can do it— but it takes a man to be good. As the Roman poet put it, “facilis descensus Averno”—it’s downhill all the way to the lower depths; to climb up to the open air is considerably more difficult. The word “piety” seems to have suffered the same fate as the word “virtue”. To be pious—to be “piadoso”—what is it, for many people today, but to indulge in pious practices and devotions, and to consider such indulgence a substitute for hard work, honesty and justice? What is the popular image of piety but that of the old woman festooned with scapulars, lighting votive candles to a plaster saint and mum­ bling interminable novenas in a deserted church? And yet—and yet, “piety”, like “virtue”, was in the be­ ginning a Roman word, and it might be well for us to bring it back to what the Romans understood by it. Just as, for the ancient Romans, virtue was simply the quality of being a man, so piety was simply the quality of being a son. It is to pay to our origins—to those responsible for our being and well being—the love, respect and remembrance that is their due. The first and most immediate object of piety in the Roman sense is, of course, one’s father. The legendary founder of Rome was Aeneas, a refugee fiom Troy. He was a warrior, a statesman and a sage; but the distinctive epithet which the poet Virgil gave him referred to none of these qualities. He called him simply “pius Aeneas”—Aeneas the pious—because he burst on the stage of history, through the gates of burning Troy, bearing his aged father Anchises on his shoulders. This, to the poet’s mind, was what made him worthy to be the founder of Rome: he risked his own life to save his father’s life. Few of us are asked, or will be asked, to do as much for our fathers. But this at least we owe them: love and respect in life, and remembrance after death. Remembrance after death: let us reflect for a little on what that means. There is much of sentiment in such pious remembrance; inevitably so. Happy memories of childhood and youth, and of the protecting and guiding spirit that ruled those early years; the commanding figure, familiar and beloved, that was part hero, part humorist, part magi­ cian ; remembered now only as being the provider of all good things—the rod of discipline, wielded at times with great vigor, fading conveniently into the background. But pious remembrance cannot be simply sentiment. There must enter into our continuing remembrance of our fathers an intelligent grasp of what they were and stood for against the background of their time and its preoccupations; what they accomplished or tried to accomplish with the means at their disposal; wherein they succeeded, and where­ in they failed, to realize their notion of what was proper and fitting, what was right and just in the world and the genera­ tion to which they belonged. For this is what might be called their spiritual legacy to us their sons, and we owe them at least a considered judgment on the permanent value of that legacy. We also owe it, of course, to ourselves. We owe it to ourselves to find out what our fathers were trying to say and what they were trying to do, in the hope that what they were trying to say and do might be of some advantage to ourselves. It is a question, in short, not only of piety, but of self-interest. However, it appears that this is a very unpopular sug­ gestion to make nowadays. It appears that in the Western world there is a growing resentment and antagonism of the young against the old. Young people are represented as say­ ing to the generation of their fathers, the generation that begot, fed and educated them: “Look at the complete mess you have made of the world in which you expect us to live. Why on earth should we look up to you, or listen to anything you have to tell us?” It is said that this spirit of dissent, this rift between generations, this “generation gap”, will soon be with us; if, indeed, it is not already here. I sincerely hope not. It is certain that the world is in pretty much of a mess. But it is one thing to recognize the mess, and another thing to blame an entire generation for producing it, or even for permitting it to occur. Since the man we commemorate today was a man of the law, surely it is permissible to cite in this connection one of the basic principles of the common law, namely, that one must be held innocent unless and until proved guilty; and to suggest that this principle is applicable not only to indi­ viduals in a court of justice but to generations before the bar of history. Whatever the case may be in other parts of the world, surely we in this country have no reason to denounce or disown the men who made our Revolution, and who, when that Revolution fell short of its final goal of freedom, put forth their best efforts to establish, under a new colonial rule, that regime of justice for which all revolutions are made. They had their shortcomings—and who has not? Whenever the anniversary of a national hero comes around, there will always be someone to write an article in the public press showing that he was not, after all, so great a hero. But we must ask ourselves: If we had been in their places, would we have done half as well? Would we have had the vision to see the radical changes that the times de­ manded, and the courage to attempt those changes even without any clear hope of success? And whether we answer yes or no to that, do we not owe it to those predecessors and progenitors, do we not owe it to ourselves, at least to view their achievement whole—to perceive not only where their vision faltered, but where it held steady, not only where their courage failed, but where it swept all before it—that, heartened by what they tried and did, as well as by what they tried and failed to do, we, in our own time, faced by our own fate, may better their example? We were presented, at the beginning of American rule, with an important task in the accomplishment of which Don Gregorio Araneta played a leading part. This was the task of integrating into a consistent Philippine legal system two great traditions of Western law: the Roman law, developed by a long line of Spanish jurists, regal and liberal, and adapted by them to the requirements of an overseas empire, and the common law of England, newly brought to these shores by the Americans. It has been said that this weaving together of the two traditions in an Asian context has given to our legal structure a luminous rationality, a firmness com­ bined with flexibility, a happy balance between freedom and order, that is truly admirable and perhaps unique. It is not often recalled that this integration did not come about by accident, but by design. Someone had to do it. Men both learned in the law and inspired with a passion for justice had to spend long hours of thankless labor in study, bench and bar, without fanfare and with small re­ ward, to work out the details of the structure, to endow it not only with reasonableness but with realism, so that in the endless variety of human problems of which the law must take cognizance right will not only appear to be done, but will be done indeed. Nor is it often recalled that the jurists who undertook and accomplished this task were for the most part Filipinos; and that among them, and not the least, was Don Gregorio Araneta. But a system of law, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, is not a static but a dynamic system. It is never finished once for all, complete and perfect in every feature. For laws are framed for men and for societies, and men and societies change; and therefore the laws must, in a manner, change with them if they are to continue to embody justice. Justice does not change, for it is divine. But the laws are human, and, like all things human, subject to the vicissi­ tudes of the historical process. And so it happens that a legal system, no matter how well constructed, may, in the course of time, suffer decay; may no longer be reasonably and rightfully applied, at least as to some of its parts, to changed conditions of society. When that happens, then the always unfinished task of legal interpretation and revision must be resumed; and the successors of those who framed the structure in the beginning, nourished in the same tradi­ tion, must bring the law once more into conformity with justice. We shall shortly be doing precisely that, for we are only a year or so away from our Constitutional Convention. And it is surely providential that Don Gregorio Araneta’s cen­ tenary should occur just when we are beginning the studies preparatory to that Convention, for it gives, not only to those who are of his blood, but to those who are of his mind and tradition, besides the motive of social justice, the added motive of piety. Of piety we said in the beginning that it is the virtue of giving what is due to one’s origins; and first of all, to one’s father—pater—but next, to one’s fatherland—patria; and lastly, although this is both first and last, and always, to God—Deus Pater—the Father of us all. In this, too, Don Gregorio Araneta may well be our exemplar; for he might have said in life what Saint Thomas More, a lawyer like himself, in whose chapel we are celebrat­ ing this Sacrifice, said on the eve of his execution; that he was the King’s good servant—in a republican context, he might have said “the Government’s”—that he was the Gov­ ernment’s good servant, but God’s first; God’s first, last, and always. H. de la Costa, S.J. He goes on animating us!

Statement of Salvador Araneta at the Banquet Held at the Manila Hilton on April 19, 1969

We are here united to celebrate the centenary of Don Gregorio Araneta, known by his intimates as Goyo. It is not for me, now his eldest surviving son, to extol his virtues, his merits and his contribution to the country. That we leave to his distinguished law student at Sto. Tomas University, the Chief Justice, Roberto Concepcion, who has graciously consented to contribute the highlight of this re­ union of family and friends all. My role on this occasion is to rememorate the lessons that we, his children, gathered from the education he gave us, his example, his life, and his love and concern for us all. And I can do no better than repeat here sentiments that came from my heart in my response at the Necrological Services held a few days after his demise in 1930, at the Public Hall of the Supreme Court and sponsored by the Philippine Bar. I refused then to admit that my father had departed. So I said: He has only gone to his rest! We who were with him, see­ ing him by day and by night toiling and striving to secure our wellbeing with cheer, enduring all the weariness and vexation of the struggle, all the adversity and disillusion that fell to his lot, we, indeed, cannot but feel and realize that he has well earned eternal rest. And again, I said: For us, he is not dead; he goes on animating us in his manifold writings and with the sacred and imperishable memory of his virtues, he inspires us now more than ever for with him by our side, we lived indifferent to his admonitions of Christian discipline. But now, we delight ourselves with greater devotion in the soaring melody of his spirit, and among his many thoughts, we still hear him, saying: “Let faith be the light to illumine our intellect, charity the lever to move our will and hope for a higher and everlasting life, the nectar to quench the thirst of our ambition.” Again, I insisted: For us, he is not dead; he has but passed on to the glorious life of the blessed! Day by day, we were witnesses to the workings of his great character moulded in the love and fear of God. Through a daily reception of Holy Communion, Nature in him was exalted by Grace, Matter swayed by Spirit, and Spirit set free from the bondage of the Flesh. Above all, his happiness he built upon unshakeable rock—conformity to the will of God. And to this will of God, we cannot help but bow, as, with his own words pronounced upon an occasion similar to this, we exclaim: “Blessed is he who, having led a holy life, now resteth in the Lord.” And so, inspired by the lessons from Father, understand­ ing his spirit of service and his love of God and country, on the occasion of the centennial celebration of his birth, the sons, the daughters and the grandchildren of Gregorio Araneta y Soriano, turned over two pieces of property they have inherited from him to a Foundation, to be called the Gregorio Araneta Social Development Foundation. The first property is the ancestral home at R. Hidalgo in Manila, where we all grew up under his care. The second property is located in Iloilo adjoining the municipality of Molo where he was born. The purpose of the Foundation will be to assist worthy research projects in social and political sciences and in man­ power development that would promote economic and politi­ cal democracy in the Philippines. The Foundation will be governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees composed of eleven members, as follows: Jesus Barrera, Mrs. Florence Ynfante, Max Velhagen, Rev. Samuel Wiley, Sergio Corpus, Luis Jose, Salvador Estrada, Jose Feria, Vicente Araneta, Rev. Francisco Araneta, and myself. Today, I reiterate these same sentiments, no longer coming so much from my heart, but what is more important and enduring, these are being ratified by my mind. These sentiments have kept the family united, and in the evening of my life, I pass them to the third and the fourth generations, so that these lessons which we, the chil­ dren of a son of this land, who, upon his death, was called by editorialists a molave of his country, may continue to give his descendants a unity in the service to our Creator and our brothers in this land, thus contributing with the common efforts of a resurgent citizenry, to vindicate Rizal’s vision of our beloved Philippines when he said: And once more free, like the bird that leaves its cage, like the flower that unfolds to the air, the land will recover the pristine virtues that are gradually dying out and will afresh become addicted to peace, cheerful, happy, joyous, hospitable, and daring. And so today, to distinguished friends including Chief Justice Concepcion, Secretary Carlos Romulo, and the Pub­ lisher and Editor of the Manila Chronicle, the Eugenio Lo­ pezes, father and son, to the distinguished lecturers who have consented to participate in the Gregorio Araneta Memo­ rial Lectures, former Presidents Garcia and Macapagal, Sena­ tor Tolentino, former Justice Barrera and former Secretary and Senator Manglapus, and to you all who have joined us on this occasion, permit me again to say, as I said almost forty years ago: These fair offerings to the memory of our dearly beloved father, which your friendship has so generously bestowed, per­ mit me in the name of my family to gather up and treasure in our hearts, once wrung with anguish, but now thrilling, too, with gratitude. We thank you, everyone. The man was greater than the legend

Speech of Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion at the Manila Hilton banquet, 19 April 1969.

It has been said that history is more than the record of man’s conflict with nature and himself. It is the knowl­ edge that gives dimension to the present, direction to the future and humility to the leaders of men. On the other hand, Emerson once wrote that there is properly no history, only biography, and that all history resolves itself very easily into the biography of a few stout and earnest men. Thus, the biography of the late Don Gre­ gorio Araneta constitutes one of the most inspiring pages of the history of the Philippines, as well as of our struggle to establish in this archipelago a free and independent Re­ public and to provide the same with a sound, solid and strong foundation. On the centennial of the birth of Don Gregorio Araneta, aptly referred to as one of the sturdy “molaves” of our race, I feel an irrepressible urge to hark back to the past, the better to appraise the values and institutions of the present, and to judge of the future. Don Gregorio’s life spanned three epochal periods of our history as a nation: (1) the insurrection against Spain; (2) the revolutionary government and our First Republic; and (3) the American regime in the Philippines. His parents were Don Felix Araneta and Doña Paz So­ riano. After having his early schooling in Molo, Iloilo—his home town—Don Gregorio came to Manila and enrolled in the then Ateneo Municipal, now Ateneo de Manila, where he completed the secondary course of instruction, not only with excellent grades, but, also, at the head of his class, and was graduated with honors, in 1884, with the degree of bachelor of arts. Immediately thereafter, he pursued higher studies in the University of Santo Tomas, where—in the language of Mr. Justice Ignacio Villamor—he “gave evidence of outstanding intellect and an unusual application in the study of metaphysics.” Indeed, he won prizes in competi­ tions and public debates, and, in a contest held on the occa­ sion of the elevation of a great philosopher, Fr. Ceferino Gonzales, to the College of Cardinals, the first prize in Philo­ sophy went to Gregorio Araneta’s dissertation on the “Dar­ winian Transíormism.” After finishing a course in survey­ ing, Don Gregorio obtained in 1891, the degree of Licentiate in Law and Jurisprudence from the Faculty of Civil Law of the Pontifical University. With his brilliant scholastic record, the young graduate found no difficulty in securing a position most sought for by new lawyers, namely that of assistant in one of the two most prominent law offices in Manila, that of Jose Juan de Icaza. Then, after a brief stint as auxiliary register of deeds for the South District of Manila, he became a city prosecuting attorney, and later acting assistant Attorney General of the “Real Audiencia de Manila”. Soon, however, the insurrection against Spain broke out. A red blooded Filipino that he was, Don Gregorio Araneta was at the vanguard of the movement. In 1898, he was mem­ ber of the advisory board of the Revolutionary Government, In November of that year, he formed part of the committee that announced to the whole world the birth of the First Republic of the Philippines. He was, likewise, a member of the committee, headed by Felipe Calderon, that drafted the Malolos Constitution. It was in recognition of his talents and sterling qualities, as well as patriotism, that he held the posi­ tions of secretary general of the Congress of Malolos and then Secretary of Justice in the Aguinaldo cabinet. The advent of the American occupation offered added opportunities to Don Gregorio Araneta. As the new colon­ izers were in search for indigenous leaders, their eyes fell on the barrister from Molo who, at a comparatively early age, had displayed great administrative skill and sound poli­ tical judgment. They saw in him a highly intelligent, com­ petent and effective Filipino official, whose qualities of lead­ ership could help cushion the impact of the transitional gov­ ernment and the change of sovereignty. When the former Real Audiencia—the highest court of the land during the Spanish regime—was revived by the American Military Government in the Philippines, Don Gre­ gorio Araneta was appointed thereto—together with Caye- tano S. Arellano, Florentino Torres, Manuel Araullo, Julio Llorente and Dionisio Chanco, thereby giving the Filipinos a majority in said court to preside the Civil Sala thereof. Upon the establishment of the Civil Government, the Audiencia was abolished and the present Supreme Court took its place. A new policy was, however, adopted in its organi­ zation while a Filipino retained its presidency, the Americans were given the majority in its membership. Thus, Don Gre­ gorio could not continue therein, but, a few months later, he was appointed Solicitor General of the Philippines. Writing his biography in 1914, Jose C. Abreu, then Judge of First Instance, had this to say about the circumstances surround­ ing that appointment: It was not in the mind of the (Philippine) Commission (which then had the power to make laws and confirm appoint­ ments made by the Governor General) to create this office (of Solicitor General), and it may be said that it was created for Mr. Araneta. The members of the Commission took imme­ diate notice of him when, during its public sessions, he inter­ vened in the discussion of the bill providing for a Code of Civil Procedure. The most luminous opinions of the epoch . . . eman­ ated from the talent and pen of Mr. Araneta. While he filled the position of Solicitor-General his weight and impress on the Bureau of Justice were as great as those of the Attorney-Gen­ eral himself. . . . Hence, when the office of Attorney-General was vacated in 1905 by its American incumbent, Don Gregorio was ap­ pointed thereto. Continuing his narration, Judge Abreu re­ called that former Governor General Taft, later Secretary of War, “realized that even the post of Attorney General was too small for Mr. Araneta and (so) he (Taft) worked for the latter’s appointment as Justice of the Supreme Court, even at the risk of impairing the proportion of Americans and Filipinos” in the membership of the Court; that, in order to carry out this purpose, the office of Secretary of Finance and Justice was offered to an American Justice of the Su­ preme Court, who, however, declined the offer; and that, accordingly, a few months later, or, in 1908, Don Gregorio was appointed Secretary of Finance and Justice, “this be­ ing the first time a commissionership with portfolio was conceded to a native-born citizen of these Islands.” The administration of justice during the incumbency of Don Gregorio Araneta and his overall performance in office was so outstanding as to earn the admiration of the repre­ sentatives of the foreign sovereign and elicit from them the comment that the Philippine bench was even better than that of their own country. It was then that, evidently feel­ ing he had done his bit for his country, Don Gregorio wound up his public service and resigned in 1913 to attend mainly to the well being of his family, by engaging in the practice of law. The transition posed, however, no serious problems to him. A man of vast experience, tireless industry and pres­ tige as a jurist of the highest order, he soon began to reap fame and fortune. His powerful logic and mastery of the law, his reputation for honesty and integrity, and his im­ pressive personality, easily commanded the respect of all and enabled him to win resounding victories in hardly contested cases, including—Molina v. Rafferty (38 Phil. 167) and Sarasola v. Yu Biao Sontua (47 Phil. 365), among others— in which he prevailed upon the Supreme Court to reverse its former decisions therein. These accomplishments placed his law office, in no time, at the forefront of the Philippine Bar. What is more, he imparted generously his fatherly and sound guidance to other outstanding young men whom he trained in the art and science of advocacy, such as, among others, Honorable Francisco Capistrano, now a distinguished member of the Supreme Court, and former Secretary of Com­ merce, Dr. Manuel Lim. Again, aside from a clientele of the most substantial kind that relied upon Don Gregorio Araneta for legal advise, a good number of prestigious business firms sought and availed of the benefits of his keen business acu­ men and foresight, as well as of the sobering effect of his immaculate prestige, as a member of its board of directors. His training earned for him success in business and in the practice of law, however, it did not mar his interest in the proper administration of the Government. For this reason, he published our first five-volume Administrative Code of the Philippines, with comments thereon, as well as extensive annotations. His training and experience in administrative law served him well in practice. Loyal to his policy, as Secretary of Finance and Justice, to bolster up the administration of jus­ tice in the Philippines, he successfully spearheaded the fight for the independence of our judiciary, in the case of Concep­ cion v. Paredes (42 Phil. 599)— a landmark in the Philippine jurisprudence and constitutional development—in which the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional a law pro­ viding for the drawing of lots to determine the assignment of judges of first instance. Not overlooking the vital role of the bar in the delicate task of seeing to it that justice be done, he devoted part of his crowded time to the training of future lawyers as pro­ fessor of Civil Law in the University of Santo Tomas. Thus, it was that many young men, among whom it was my pri­ vilege to be, had the benefit of the invaluable guidance, ex­ ample and inspiration that Don Gregorio Araneta imparted to each and every one of his disciples. Indeed, more than his vast material and temporal achievements, Don Gregorio had a set hierarchy of values at the apex of which was a proud sense of morality. One of the most stirring episodes of his life thrusts itself at this juncture. Shortly before his death, when he was enjoying a life of retirement and ease, Don Gregorio had the opportunity to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Twice, the position was offered to him; twice he turned it down. Not because he did not care to return to the government or heed the call of public service. His refusal stemmed from his strong sense of DELICADEZA. Having established business connections, some of which had outstanding obligations with the government, he demurred. Writing about it, the editor of the then Manila Tribune said: . . . Like any other human being, when he was offered the position of chief justice he must have tingled with pride to see that his labors have merited official recognition from no less a man than the President of the United States, acting on the re­ commendation of the late Gov. General Wood and Governor W. Cameron Forbes No doubt his first impulse was to accept it. He was to round out his life of unselfish service to his people occupying the highest position in the Philippine judiciary. He knew, more than any other one, that he deserved the post. He knew too, that it would be a source of pride for his sons to recall, after he is gone, that the man whose name they bear at one time occupied the exalted position of head of the highest tribunal of the land. He knew all these, and it is natural that he should have wanted to accept the offer. But to his everlasting glory and for the honor of his people, he turned it down, not only once but twice. The request was insis­ tent. He was told that there was nothing unlawful in his being a chief justice and in being involved in some financial transac­ tions with the Philippine National Bank. Anyway, he was only a guarantor. But Gregorio Araneta was adamant in his refusal. He knew too well that it was not illegal or unlawful. As a law­ yer, nobody needed to tell him that. But to him there was a higher consideration, something he valued as much as life it­ self. It was not unlawful, it is true, but it was immoral. Im­ moral, according to his strict interpretation of morality. Im­ moral, according to a standard he has set for himself. Immo­ ral, because it quarrelled with his sense of honor and decency. History has a way of casting its shadow far beyond the land of song and fantasy. When a massive heart attack seized Don Gregorio on that fateful afternoon of Saturday, March 9, 1930, while he was up and about his farm at Nova- liches, the leading papers forthwith took note of the event. And, when he finally succumbed,, the country felt the loss of one who had so much to give and had given so much. Sergio Osmena called him “one of the most illustrious Filipinos of the present age”, and added: . . . Araneta was one of the most outstanding figures of the civil regime implanted here by Mr. Taft. As Attorney Gen­ eral of the Philippine Government under Mr. Taft, he left upon the public service the impress of a personality which will al­ ways be an enduring monument to the capacity of the Filipino race. His was an undisputed talent, vast judicial preparation and an independent character. In the civil commission his work as Secretary of Finance and Justice was so excellent that when he left that position, a justice of the Supreme Court in the person of Mr. Mapa had to be made to resign to fill up the vacancy h?ft by his resignation. After leaving the government, Mr. Araneta as a lawyer, as a businessman and as a citizen was liked and admired by all. When the Commission of Independence approved the Roxas plan, Mr. Araneta was among the very first mentioned for the advisory board of the commission, a body similar in nature to the body of the elder statesmen of Japan. With the death of Mr. Araneta the whole country has lost a public servant without blemish, an upright and excellent juris­ consult, an exemplary citizen whose wisdom and patriotism was generally known to all. Referring to him as “a true patriot”, Manuel Quezon ranked him “among the greatest men this country has ever produced.” William Taft considered him “the ablest lawyer in the Philippines” and “a worthy successor of Arellano in the jurisprudence of the Philippines.” William Cameron Forbes described him as “an official of great distinction, proven integrity and notable capacity.” The Philippine Supreme Court itself, in an official re­ solution, paid him tribute, describing him as “formerly a Justice of the Supreme Court under the military regime and who later filled the responsible positions of Solicitor Gen­ eral, Attorney-General, member of the Philippine Commis­ sion and secretary of Finance and Justice, with credit to himself and to his country, and who as a lawyer was recog­ nized as the Dean of the Philippine Bar, and who as a man and a citizen was imbued with the highest ideals.” Don Gregorio’s steadfast adherence to principles and ideals, the massive strength of his moral character, the privil­ eged nature of his intellect, and the powerful impact of his example and personality are patently reflected in his big family. Indeed, each and every one of the members thereof are or have been outstanding leaders in their respective fields of endeavor, highly militant as citizens of the Philip­ pines, and thoroughly honest and courageous, as well as having a mind of their own. Today, one hundred years after his birth, the standards of public service and public morality he had set continue to be a luminous beacon that can guide and influence his coun­ try and his countrymen towards maturity and wisdom. We should remember not only what he did, but also, what he stood for: determination and courage in an era of vacillation and timidity, hope in a period of doubt, public service over and above private interests. The stature of Don Gregorio Araneta will continue to grow and loom even larger as the passing of years lends perspective to it. For the man was greater than the legend; and his life, not his death, is the measure of his greatness. Thus, it is only fitting and proper that we be gathered today, in solemn acknowledgement of the greatness of that life. For, as Daniel Webster said of the law, so may we speak of the life of Don Gregorio Araneta—a life so nobly dedicated to the promotion of Justice and the Rule of Law: “It has honored us; may we honor it.” A monument to the capabilities of the Filipinos

Opening statement of Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion in his Conference on Constitutional Reforms, Gregorio Araneta Memorial Lectures, held at the Education Building, University of Santo Tomas, April 17, 1969.

It is most fitting and appropriate, as well as extremely opportune, that the centennial of the birth of the late Don Gregorio Araneta should be commemorated with a series of lectures on amendments to the Constitution. It bespeaks highly of the character of the man whose cherished memory we honor today, that his surviving children, worthy descend­ ants of an illustrious forebear, are not merely celebrating his birthday. They are, moreover, perpetuating the shining example of his life, both as a private citizen and as a public official, by bringing the beneficent influence of that example to bear upon the current quest for solutions to the multi­ farious problems confronting the Philippines. At a time such as this, when a spirit of earnest searching on the part of the Filipino people for better or new perspectives has led to the present move to reexamine the fundamental law, a series of lectures of this nature is, indeed, fraught with possibilities. I consider it a privilege and an honor to participate in these memorial lectures. I am gratified at this opportunity to pay tribute to the sterling qualities and distinguished re­ cord of Don Gregorio Araneta, one of my esteemed profes­ sors in the Faculty of Civil Law of the University of Santo Tomas, and to venture, with your indulgence, a few thoughts on the Philippine Constitution and possible amendments thereto, with particular emphasis on the subject of Demo­ cracy and its demands upon the Citizen and the State. Don Gregorio would have, indeed, wished to be remem­ bered, not just as a symbol of an early regime that has left a significant and lasting mark upon the history of the Phil­ ippines, but, also, as a monument to the capabilities of the Filipinos and a challenge to their potentialities for national advancement. For he epitomized, in many respects, the best that there is in the Filipino. His solid virtues, his privileged intellect, his wisdom and foresight, his integrity and sense of honor, his steadfast adherence to principles, his prestige, and the respect he commanded, all of these combined to make him a leading figure of the Philippine Revolution, as well as of our struggle for self-government and political emancipation, during the first three decades of the American regime in these islands. If I recall the remarkable characteristics of Don Gre­ gorio Araneta. I do so, out of a sense of admiration for him, and a hope to project, on this auspicious occasion, the urgen­ cy and relevance, to contemporary society of the qualities and virtues that hold the key to the excellence of the citi­ zenry and the greatness of nations. The outstanding Filipino jurist

Opening statement of former President Carlos P. Garcia in his Conference on Constitutional Reforms, Gregorio Araneta Memorial Lectures held at the Education Building, University of Santo Tomas, April 24, 1969.

Ladies and Gentlemen: It gives me a genuine pleasure to participate in my humble way in the centennial celebration of the outstanding Filipino jurist Don Gregorio Araneta who served with dis­ tinction as Secretary General of the historic Malolos Consti­ tutional Convention. To perpetuate the memory of that illus­ trious statesman Don Gregorio Araneta, it was indeed a feli­ citous idea on the part of his distinguished sons to make this centennial celebration the occasion to hold a Symposium on Constitutional Reforms so as to gather important and valu­ able materials to serve at least, as reference sources for the coming Constitutional Convention of 1971. Considering that revolutionary reforms in our Constitution are expected to be ventilated in the forthcoming Constitutional Convention, the holding of this symposium on constitutional reforms is hailed as both happily opportune and highly significant. I there­ fore most warmly congratulate the Araneta brothers and their associates. It is perhaps a gift of good fortune that our constitu­ tional evolution has passed through various stages and a sufficient interval of time separated these stages affording thereby our people the perspective of time and experience which will serve as guide and light for the next evolutionary stage. The Malolos Constitution may be considered the first stage. The principal penman of that constitution the great Filipino jurist Don Felipe Calderon and all his illustrious contemporaries like Don Pedro Paterno, Tomas del Rosario, Gregorio Araneta, and even Mabini who was a member of Aguinaldo’s Cabinet drew their inspiration mostly from the modern constitutions of the US and other American repub­ lics and of course from the libertarian philosophy of the French Republic. This was because we had no national ex­ perience before Malolos in constitutional democracy. This constitutional stage was an ephemeral one because of the inception of the American regime. The history of a nation is the imprint of the character of its great men

Opening remarks of former Justice Jesus Bar­ rera in his Conference on Constitutional Re­ forms, Gregorio Araneta Memorial Lectures, held at the Education Building, University of Santo Tomas, May 22, 1969.

The history of a nation is, to a considerable extent, the history of its great men, of their lives and their achievements and most importantly, the imprint of their character and their example on the behavior and thinking of their country­ men. One such man in the history of the Philippines is Don Gregorio Araneta y Soriano, the founder and builder of a great family and whose birth centenary is being observed this year. As a fitting tribute to his memory and to the im­ portant contribution he had made to the legal and constitu­ tional development in our country during the crucial era of transition from the Spanish monarchical system of govern­ ment to that of the short-lived semi-parliamentary Philip­ pine republic established in Malolos and thence to the repub­ lican presidential regime introduced by the Americans, in all of which three stages he played a most prominent role, his family and the Citizens for a Filipino Constitution have appropriately organized a series of lectures dealing with dif­ ferent constitutional concepts, preparatory to the holding of a Constitutional Convention scheduled for the year 1971. The Amnetas are a rare breed of Filipinos

Concluding remarks of former Senator Raul Manglapus in his Conference on Constitutional Reforms, Gregorio Araneta Memorial Lectures, held at the Education Building, University of Santo Tomas, May 29, 1969.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the last and only time I saw Don Gregorio Araneta was when he lay in state at his home in calle R. Hidalgo. I had gone there with friends to condole with his son—our classmate Francisco. I was even the poorer that I never met him in life. But I think the spirit of Don Gregorio will not resent me for saying that I am perhaps just as rich today as if I had met him, because I know his heirs. For the Aranetas are a rare breed of Filipinos. They make affluence and intellectual virtue a challenge for service rather than an excuse for sloth. While others of mixed blood wander around in studied confusion over their identity, these are solidly in the front line of the nationalist phalanx. While others of wealth seek avenue of both capital and bodily es­ cape abroad, these are forever driving deeper, inextricable roots in politics, in business, in art, in religion, in education, in those fine humanist areas of endeavor which sorely need commitment and leadership today. Here, indeed, is humanism at its best. Here is economic and political power that needs no restructuring. Here is an ideal to remember for our coming society. There is a greater happiness in giving than in receiving

Response of Don Salvador Araneta during the Dedication Ceremonies at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, April 20, 1969.

I have been asked by the donor of these cerebral electro­ nic instruments, my brother, Antonio, to make the response on this occasion. As the eldest son of Don Gregorio Araneta, in v/hose memory the donation is being perpetuated, I feel happy and edified at this act of social responsibility of my brother. And I am confident he feels exactly what the Lord is reputed by St. Paul to have said: “There is greater hap­ piness in giving than in receiving.” For as expressed in a doctoral dissertation of a Jesuit scholar on the use of superfluous wealth: “Property is a means for man to attain his true end, God. Since property itself comes from God, it must be referred back to Him, as the final end and purpose of existence. Man’s power over the rest of creation is, then, not absolute, but rather in the nature of a stewardship.” (Fr. Healy, S.J.) I had occasion to use these thoughts of Fr. Healy in a speech that I gave on March 8, 1957, on the campus of this very University, as the guest speaker of the Annual Tho- masian Program. On this occasion, I see that I have an audience repre­ senting greater wealth than the audience I had in 1957, at that time, mostly composed of penurious students and a sprinkle of professors belonging to the middle class in the economic sector. I am afraid that my message at that time just went to the winds. For this reason, I trust you will bear with me and have the patience now to hear a Thomasian discourse on the social obligations of wealth. It would explain the real nature of the act, I repeat, of social responsibility of my brother Antonio, which we are honoring on this occasion; an act which was not the first, and, I am sure, will not be the last that he will perform. They set the examples and precedents for a more generous practice of social responsibil­ ity on the part of all of us who have been given by circum­ stances more than our share of what is actually essential for us and our families. Allow me, therefore, to repeat portions of my speech on that occasion, which I began as follows: At the foot of St. Thomas It is a rare opportunity and a distinct privilege to have this platform of a venerable institution, my University Alma Mater, for the elaboration of national problems that are un­ dermining the stability of our institutions, and to affirm on this very platform that the solution of those problems can be found in the teachings of our patron saint, St. Thomas Aquinas, “a flame of heavenly wisdom,” whose feast this University is celebrating these days. Thirty-five years after my graduation (now it is 47 years), I come back to my Alma Mater to take counsel with you, thankful for your invitation to participate in these cele­ brations, for it has given me occasion to sit again at the foot of the master of philosophy, the Angelic Doctor, and to rediscover the pristine truth of his social teachings that could give proper self-control and direction to the economic man of our age. I continued my discourse by asking the audience this question: Are we dissolving the causes of Communism? Another Catholic luminary of our days, Bishop Sheen, has said that “humanity in a crisis is generally insensitive to the gravity of the times in which it lives.” We do not want to believe that our times are wicked, partly because it involves too much self-accusation and principally because we have no standards outside of ourselves by which to measure our times. And the same great thinker pointed out that the very day Sodom was destroyed, the Scripture des­ cribed the sun as bright. And Our Lord Himself referred to the great blindness of the people at the time of Noah in these derisive words: “... for as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in mar­ riage, even till the day in which Noah entered into the ark, and they knew not till the flood came, and took them all away.” (Matt., 24'38). It is true that statesmen of many nations are uneasy and fearful of a Third World War and are fearful of Com­ munism. In our own country (I was speaking of happenings then in 1957), we have Congress divided on how to outlaw Communism. I am afraid we are giving more importance to the legal outlawing of communism, than to dissolving the causes of communism. And I am afraid the basic cause of these evil forces which may destroy our Western and Christian civilization and may put out the lights all over the world for many centuries to come, is not being properly diagnosed by people who call themselves Christians—because the pristine and pure Christian Thomistic philosophy has been lost in the turmoil and materialism of the modern world. St. Thomas distinguishes two things with reference to property. One is the power to procure and dispense them, and in this sense, St. Thomas is of the opinion that “it is law­ ful for man to possess property.” The second thing is the use of the property. Concerning the use of property, St. Thomas says, “man ought to possess external things, not as his own, but as common, so that, to wit, he is ready to communicate them to others in their need.” Further developing this thought, St. Thomas holds that: “The temporal goods which God grants us are ours as to the ownership, but as to the use of them, they belong not to us alone but also to such others as we are able to succor out of what we have over and above our needs.” Other Corollaries to the true Doctrine on Property Other Thomasian corollaries to the doctrine of the pur­ pose of life and the purpose of private property may be enun­ ciated as follows: 1 Material wealth is good, only insofar as it aids in the exercise of virtue (Contra Gentiles, III, 133). 2 God has given to many a superabundance of riches, in order that they might gain merit by their dispensing them well. 3. All pleasurable things which come within the use of man are ordered to some necessity of this life as an end. So that, they should be used as the necessity of life requires. (Summa II, ii, 141,5). The principles of temperance are rele­ vant as laying down the broad test of right or wrong in the uses of one’s goods. 4. Since wealth is not the purpose of man’s existence, he cannot strive to increase his wealth “ad infinitum.” (In Pol. 1, 1, 8; 2a, 2ae, q.77, art. 4). 5 In acquiring wealth, a man should take into consi­ deration not only his needs but also his social obligations, almsgiving being one of them (2a, 2ae, q.187, art. 3). 6 It is not only a sin against liberality but also against justice when a rich man holds on,to his superfluous wealth through avarice. (De Malo, 13, 2 ad 4). 7 One is bound from legal justice to give to the poor either because of the needs of the poor, or because of the superfluity of his wealth (Summa, 2a, 2ae, q.118, art. 3). 8. The obligation to give superfluous wealth to the poor, is for St. Thomas, an obligation under pain of mortal sin. 9. The occasions of sin are to be avoided, but poverty is an occasion of evil, because theft, perjury, and flattery are frequently brought about by it. Therefore, poverty should not be voluntarily undertaken, but rather avoided. (Sun. cont. Gent., iii, 131). 10. If the proper relation is kept between the means and the end, savings are permissible, (la, 2ae, q.108, art. 3, ad 5). 11. It belongs to a virtuous man not simply to use well the goods which form the matter of his action, but also to prepare the means and the occasions to use them well. It appears from this that to save part of one’s annual income to provide against emergencies in the future, either by means of insurance or by investing in productive enterprises, is an act of liberality. (Baridan, Ethics, IV-2) The Social Limitations of Almsgiving But it would be a mistake to think that almsgiving is the main tool to bring about the ideal social order. Since the Middle Ages, foundations by the thousands flourished in many places in Europe. They were mostly relief-giving insti­ tutions providing food and other necessities to orphans and to the poor. But in the course of time, a suspicion arose that the method of attack was wrong and might be contributing to the survival of the very evils they were to correct. In 1834, a commission appointed to report to William IV on the ad­ ministration of the Poor Laws in England, submitted the fol­ lowing facts and conclusions: Much evidence . . . has forced on us the conviction that, as now administered, such charities are often wasted, and often mischievous . . . In some cases they have a quality of evil pecu­ liar to themselves . . . The places intended to be favored by large charities attract an undue proportion of the poorer classes who, m the hope of trifling benefits to be obtained without labor, often linger on in the spots most unfavorable to the exercise of their industry. Poverty is thus not only collected, but created, in the very neighborhood whence the benevolent founders have manifestly expected to make it disappear. (Harrison and An­ drews, American Foundation for Social Welfare—Russel Safe Foundation, New York, 1946, p. 19). The Modern Conception of Foundations Thus, gradually, foundations were given a new purpose. The social obligations of wealth acquired a deeper concept— wealth should attack the problem of poverty at its root— with preventive measures—not merely to relieve the effects of ignorance, poverty and sickness. Foundations were created for the prevention of human distress and the positive pro­ motion of human welfare. They avoided the ancient error of distributing money as alms solving problems of individual need with no plan to help the individual better himself, neg­ lecting to cure the evil at its source. The evil of mere alms­ giving, the collection of the poor and the increase in poverty in those very places where it should have been alleviated, all these were foreseen and avoided. (Fr. Healy, in his cited thesis, p. 170). The Virtue of Munificence But no less than Pope Pius XI had the practical wisdom to point out that the investment of superfluous income to create opportunities for the employment of labor in the pro­ duction of useful goods should be considered according to the teaching of the Angelic Doctor, an outstanding exempli­ fication of the virtue of munificence and one particularly suited to the needs of our time. This important pronounce­ ment was made by the Pope in his celebrated encyclical Quadragesimo Anno. (No. 51). It was this same notion that moved the great Jewish philosopher, Moses Maimonides, to note that the best form of almsgiving is that which gives a man an opportunity to support himself. (Catholic Social Principles by Cronin, p. 493, see also p. 131). The cited doctoral dissertation of Fr. Healy dedicates four of its five chapters to develop the virtue of munificence or of magnificence, as Fr. Healy calls it. And he points out that it is a special virtue that directs the carrying out of great and lofty projects and that the exterior act must in­ volve a work great in quantity, preciousness or dignity, in all cases necessitating a large expenditure of money. St. Thomas proposed magnificence as a social virtue for the guidance of the wealthy in the use of their great material wealth. But it was Pope Pius XI who turned to St. Thomas’ writings and lifted from oblivion a virtue that could become part and parcel of the twentieth century capitalist. (Ibid., p. 122). In the very words of Andrew Carnegie: “The million­ aire will be but a trustee of the poor, entrusted for a season with a larger part of the increased wealth of the community, but administering it for the community far better than it could or would have done for itself.” We are today engaged in the study of our politico-socio- economic problems, in preparation for our Constitutional Convention. A few days ago, we had the privilege of hearing a very learned dissertation on the subject from the meditations of Chief Justice Concepcion. He recommended that the social nature and obligations of property be the subject of the Declaration of Principles. He submits that our human values on the subject of property have to be changed. And the Chief Justice agrees that the economic system of a country is a proper subject for the Constitution. And so, on this occasion, we should rejoice that the country is becoming more socially conscious. As I said yes­ terday, in another program to honor the memory of my father, there is evident in the Philippines, a resurgent citi­ zenry. And from the circular cumulative causation of the con­ certed efforts of this resurgent socially-conscious citizenry, we should be optimistic that the vision of an alumnus of this Pontifical University, our hero, Jose Rizal, will be fulfilled, and that the Philippines, . . . Once more free (from the oppression of corruption and selfishness) like the bird that leaves its cage, like the flower that unfolds to the air, the land will recover the pristine vir­ tues that are gradually dying out and will afresh become ad­ dicted to peace, cheerful, happy, joyous, hospitable and daring. In the sanctuary of his home

Thoughts offered by Mrs. Natividad Albert at the dedication ceremonies in UST Hospital, April 20, 1969.

Almost four decades have gone since his family and friends saw him for the last time, but undoubtedly he left behind indelible the marks of his lofty character, for pos­ terity to remember and to admire. Because I knew him very well, I will attempt to sketch the profile of Don Gregorio as I fondly used to call him. In the sanctuary of his home, he was a wonderful man, always with a gentle smile that re­ flected the peace and happiness of his interior and family life. In a serene and unassuming way he performed the routine of his duties almost to perfection. A daily communi­ cant he walked with God, a devoted husband and a loving father ever solicitous for their spiritual and temporal wel­ fare, a loyal staunch patriot ready to serve his country in any capacity, a true good faithful friend. To my father’s care, the family physician he entrusted the physical ills, not only of his dear ones, but also of all the members of his household; he was a benevolent master. His friendship with my father, started in their student days at the Ateneo, con­ tinued through the years and as time passed by the ties knot closed. Fond memories I cherished of the many happy times we enjoyed his company. All the respect and admiration are due to him, because of the purity, honesty and integrity of his life. He was kindhearted, an upright, just man with char­ ity to all and malice to none. These sterling qualities of his character like the beautiful facets of a precious stone, en­ hanced his virtues and made him a great man. The first Fili­ pino Secretary of Justice during, our colonial days, an emi­ nent lawyer with a brilliant mind, a good businessman pos­ sessing worldly goods, in his own humble way, he served, honored and glorified God. The Divine Master has willed that his memory be honored and remembered. The church assures us that in1 heaven there are Saints of great magnitude unheard and unknown to the world. Men who lived daily exemplary lives without ostentation and fan­ fare, so pleasing to the eyes of God;.men whose left hand never knew the good that his right hand was doing; men who laid up treasures in heaven which, neither moth nor rust shall consume—Don Gregorio Araneta is one such Saint. And in this gathering, celebrating his; hundredth birthday, beloved ones. I seem to hear him say these words to them: “I bless my children and love you all. You have done well. Continue in your good deeds. Keep it up, Our Lord will never be outdone in generosity. Your mother and I have reaped the reward by following-in his footsteps. Do thou in like manner.” The Araneta centenary

Editorial, The Manila Chronicle, April 13,1969.

The sons and descendants of Don Gregorio Araneta have every reason to be proud of celebrating the centenary of the birth of their illustrious forebear. And no more fitting tri­ bute can be paid to the man than the lectures to be delivered in his memory by distinguished members of bench and bar. Don Gregorio’s role at the precise time of the arrival of the Americans has sometimes been questioned. But what­ ever he did he had justified by his sincerity and by his cor­ rect appraisal of objective conditions. And as if this were not enough, he entered the service of the government and infused his acts and utterances as Secretary of Justice with dignity, honesty and an intoxicat­ ing competence. It was as a government official that he set an example of probity which to date has not been equalled. Indeed, Don Gregorio was the perfect symbol of an honor­ able Filipino officialdom at a time when it would have been too easy and too profitable for a Filipino appointee to be just an official. When his reward finally came, a reward in the form of an appointment as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, he had the courage and the strength of character to decline so high an honor. It did not matter to him that the offer had come from the President of the United States. What mat­ tered was that his interests did not permit him to be a Chief Justice. In his later years, Don Gregorio proved the sterling quality of his patriotism and his pride in his race when, during the administration of Governor General Leonard Wood, he defended and championed the right of Filipinos to participate in the running of the government imposed on them. He did battle against the real powers in the country, and in this, he was ably aided by his son, Salvador. He in­ curred enemies, most of whom were members of his own class. But the principle for which he was fighting is the principle which animates all free men. And so, the legacy that he left behind, the legacy for which one of his sons entered politics, the legacy for which two other sons allowed themselves to be drafted into the government service, is still valid today. For who can doubt the wisdom of a legacy which holds, above everything else, that the Filipino must be the one and only source of economic and political power in his own coun­ try? If this legacy, this notion, this principle has any valid­ ity today—and it certainly has—the Araneta centenary is worth celebrating. An example worthy of emulation 14 April 1969 Dear Salvador: How like the Aranetas, worthy scions of a great man, to honor their father in the dignified manner you are com­ memorating his centennial. Never before has this been done in the Philippines and you have set an example worthy of emulation. Without the cheap and gaudy panoply and fan­ fare of the usual “fiesta” of which we have a surfeit in our country, you have availed yourselves of the occasion of the centenary of his birth to use the lecture forum for an en­ lightening discussion of public issues by leading figures in our national life. This is to congratulate you for such a commendable initiative and to add my mite to that of innumerable others in offering my humble tribute of admiration and respect to one of the unextinguishable luminaries of our race whose name—Gregorio Araneta—is the epitome of moral integrity, intellectual honesty, high competence in his chosen profes­ sion, and unalloyed patriotism. It is platitudinous to say that we badly need men of his character and stature these days and yet, it is a sad truth that we must as a nation in all candor admit. How fortunate that he left behind him sons who are up­ holding his Great Tradition and are adding lustre to the prestige of his name. Sincerely yours, (Sgd.) Carlos P. Romulo Honorable Salvador Araneta Victoneta Park Malabon, Rizal He approaches the proportions of a genius.

Reminiscences by Judge Guillermo Guevara published by The Manila Times, Manila Bulle­ tin, Philippine Herald.

On this first centenary of the natal day of Don Gregorio Araneta (April 19, 1869), it is fitting to ponder on the signi­ ficance of his participation in the establishment of the new order under the American aegis. He was recruited in 1900 to serve under the new dispen­ sation as probational or temporary magistrate of the audien­ cia de Manila, pending the organization of the Supreme Court. After the establishment of the Civil Government headed by the First Civil Governor William H. Taft, Don Gregorio was assigned to head the Bureau of Justice under the title of Attorney General. His extraordinary legal mind impressed so much the American Chief Executive to the extent of re­ commending him for promotion to the highest bench of the Philippines. The proposed promotion of Don Gregorio to the Supreme Court placed the Washington authorities in a quan­ dary in that if heeded, it would simply mean the abandon­ ment or scrapping of the traditional American majority in the Supreme Court, in the proportion of 3 to 4 in favor of the Americans. So by way of a compromise, Washington, for the first time, agreed to catapult a native of the Philippines to the highest civil position in the Philippine Government—next only to the Governor-General in emolument, prestige and power; that of Secretary of Justice and Finance and concur­ rently member of the Philippine Commission. As Secretary of Justice, he had the administrative con­ trol and supervision of all courts inferior to the Supreme Court, provincial fiscals, and the entire legal staff of * the government. The screening and nomination of candidates to membership in the judiciary, prosecutors and government attorney were the exclusive prerogative of Don Gregorio. As Secretary of Finance, Don Gregorio was the imme­ diate superior of high caliber American executives such as the collector of customs, collector of internal revenue, insu­ lar treasurer, to mention only the important bureaus under his department. As member of the Philippine Commission, the sole and only legislative body at the time, he was sitting in said chamber as co-equal in power and brain with such presti­ gious American executives like ex-Governors Taft and Ide and Commissioners Worster, Smith and Forbes. Considering that Don Gregorio’s office in the old Ayun­ tamiento during his incumbency as Secretary of Finance was staffed by not more than ten men, namely, one Amer­ ican private secretary by the name of McLaughlin, if I re­ member right; one Filipino private secretary, the late Feli- cisimo R. Feria, who, thirty years later, became a member of the Supreme Court; one chief clerk, one clerk-typist, two janitors or messengers and one telephone boy, one may won­ der how could it be possible for one man to perform three giant-sized jobs in a row without the help of a big army of experts, technical assistants, press officers, special agents, security and bodyguards, casuals and what-have-you which their counterpart, the Secretary of Finance and Secretary of Justice keep and maintain nowadays in two huge multi-storey buildings in Agrifina Circle and Padre Faura Street. The only explanation or answer to this question may' be found in the exceptionally brilliant and versatile mind of Don Gre­ gorio which, by all standards, approaches the proportion of a genius. And surely, there are not many geniuses around. The making of an early nationalist

Article by Carlos Quirino published in the Graphic, April 16,1969.

A hundred years ago this April 19th, one of the greatest legal luminaries of the Philippines and the first Filipino Secretary of Finance and Justice was born in Molo, Iloilo. He was the sixth child of Felix Araneta y Militante and Paz Soriano y Dichi, and was baptized with the name of Gregorio at the cathedral of that town which, at that time, was the leading commercial and residential center in the entire island of Panay. In 1880, at the age of 11, Gregorio was sent by his parents to Manila to study at the Ateneo de Manila in Intra- murps. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree with grades that rivaled those made, earlier by Jose, Rizal and later by Claro M. Recto, he enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas to, study law. Here he got the rating, of excellent in all his subjects, and took his licentiate in law in 1891. He then joined the most prestigious law firm in Manila, headed by Don Jose Juan de Icaza, who was then dean of the Colegio derAbogados of the country. Goyo, as young Araneta' was nickriamed by his class­ mates, was not an affluent student; to be sure, his family could be termed as middle class, but with so many children Don Felix could barely make both ends meet. The young barrister therefore lived in a modest boarding house at Calle San Jose, near the muralla facing the bay. His work as an assistant in Icaza’s law firm must have impressed the Spanish authorities, for in 1894 he became acting fiscal in the Audiencia Territorial for the next 18 months. As a young law bachelor, he was a popular figure in Manila’s society, for as his name implied he possessed a gregarious character. An incident took place at that time which opened his eyes to the many injustices committed by the Spanish gov­ ernment. Like Rizal, he was beaten up by the guardia civil for some minor discourtesy. With the blood streaks still on his face and body, accompanied by Icaza, he went to Malacañan Palace to demand a redress for his grievance. Rizal was ignored at the Palace, but Araneta was already a somebody in the legal profession and obtained an apology. As an admirer of Rizal and his writings, Goyo became thence­ forth a confirmed nationalist. Thus, when the Revolution of 1896 broke out and Fran­ cisco L. Roxas, of the wealthy Roxas family, was arrested on suspicion of having furnished money and arms to the Katipuneros, Araneta undertook the civilian part of his de­ fense. Under the Council of War rules, only military person­ nel could defend an accused, so Araneta could only prompt the defending trial lawyer, who, as an infantry officer, was little versed in legal knowledge. Despite his well-reasoned brief (now in the possession of his son Luis Ma. Araneta), Roxas was found guilty and executed at the Luneta in Jan­ uary of 1897, together with Numeriano Adriano, Mabini’s protector and dean of Filipino notaries, and a dozen other patriots. Araneta next defended the Ambrosio Salvador family before the courts. The son Moisés, who had studied in Europe with Rizal, was found guilty of rebellion and subsequently executed while his father Ambrosio was banished to Bon- toc in September 1896. The elder Salvador was a construc­ tion supervisor who had made money as a building contrac­ tor; however because of the embargo placed by the govern­ ment on all properties of suspects, the family had nothing to live on. A local rich merchant owed him money but be­ cause of the governor’s directive, he could not sue in court. Don Gregorio pleaded: vainly before the Supreme Court that for “reason of poverty” Salvador Ambrosio should be allowed to file the case under a provision of the Spanish code of civil procedure. Despite the obvious merits of his case, the tri­ bunal turned him down. His prestige as an able lawyer with patriotic inclina­ tions reached the ears of General Emilio Aguinaldo, who, on August 13, the day that Manila fell to the Americans, dis­ patched him as a member of the commission headed by Fe­ lipe Buencamino, Benito Legarda and General Teodoro San- dico to interview General Thomas Anderson at Pasay in order that the Filipino troops could enter the walled city side by side with the Americans. However, it was too late, for Admiral George Dewey had already connived with the Span­ ish Governor General for the occupation of the city after a token resistance. Invited by Aguinaldo to the Malolos Congress in Bula- can—for Aguinaldo was determined to attract Filipinos in all levels of society to join him—he was chosen secretary of the historic chamber with Pablo Ocampo as assistant. Pedro A. Paterno was elected president over Ambrosio Rian- zares Bautista, and Legarda vice-president. Congressional work kept him busy making a record of sessions, aside from attending to the drafting of the Malolos Constitution led by Felipe ,G. Calderon. His friendship with Apolinario Mabini from their law student days at Santo To­ mas University might have been a reason for his appoint­ ment to the portfolio of justice in Aguinaldo’s cabinet. He therefore resigned as secretary of Congress to devote his time to the ministry of justice. Sometime in January, 1899, after the Treaty of Paris became known in the islands, transferring sovereignty from Spain to the United States of America, Don Gregorio decided to return to Manila for good. Perhaps the views of Cayetano Arellano, his teacher at the university, who had been ap­ pointed to the Secretaryship of Foreign Affairs but had de­ clined, influenced Araneta’s decision to return to Manila. There were others who joined them: Benito Legarda, Floren- tino Torres, and Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera. Why this small group suddenly abandoned its support of the revolutionary government has never been made clear. Perhaps they could foresee the bloody war that would ensue between the Filipinos and the Americans, and refused to shoulder in part the responsibility for the coming holocaust, for they could easily presume that the Filipinos would be the losers. If the Filipinos could not overthrow the weaker Spanish regime, what chance did they have against the more powerful yanquis? In mid-1899, when General Otis decided to reconstitute the Audiencia into the Supreme Court with Filipinos as mem­ bers to show that the United States policy of altruism was being carried out, he picked out Arellano to become Chief Justice, and for Associate Justices, Torres, Manuel Araullo and Araneta. Don Gregorio was then 30 years old—the youngest Filipino ever to occupy that exalted position. When the executive department was organized soon thereafter, Governor William H. Taft drafted him for the position of Solicitor General. He served under Libbeus R. Wifley, an American lawyer who occupied the position of Attorney General in the Department of Finance and Justice, headed by Secretary Henry C. Ide. Upon Wifley’s retirement, Araneta, backed by Taft— who was then Secretary of War in Washington, D.C.—was named to succeed him on July 16, 1906. This was the highest legal position ever held by a Filipino, equivalent to the key post of Fiscal del Key during the Spanish regime. During his years as Attorney General he issued hundreds of opinions that have become part of our administrative law. They were written in a concise and clear manner that earned for him the respect of American law practitioners in the Philippines at that time. Perhaps his early rise in Philippine bureaucracy was due to the fact that he was a leading member of the Federalista party founded by Pardo de Tavera who, as a member of the Philippine Commission, had a big say on which : Filipinos should be named to the judiciary or the executive branch of the government. 1 A big factor too was his growing friendship with Gov­ ernor Taft who respected his legal ability. It was Araneta’s legal advice on the solution of the friar estates that made the former Ohio governor find a successful solution with the ^Va­ tican for the purchase of the haciendas. Based on his record in the islands, Taft was made Secretary of War, and event­ ually won the presidency of: the United1 States in November, 1908. With Taft’s active backing,. Araneta became the first Filipino to become Secretary of Finance and Justice on July 1, 1908. Some years later, he resigned as a-member of the cabi­ net for financial reasons; Although he was receiving P32,000 a year in salary and other emoluments in the government, his fast increasing family-T^he had 14, children in all—made it1 imperative for him to return to private practice. Clients flocked to his law firm, for his renown as an able; practi-. tioner soon spread, and in the first year earned several times the sum he had made as a cabinet officer. Twice, in the cases of Molina and Sarasola, he convinced the Supreme Court to ,reverse its previous decision. Then he decided to go into business and quickly amassed a fortune, despite.soiiie'-reyerses: One of fhese was when he guaranteed the note of a friend in the amount of P600,000; he had to dig from his own pockèt to pay the debt whën his friend became bankrupt because of the economic depression following the first world war. Twice he was proposed to head the Supreme Court by Speaker Osmeha and Senate President Quezon, but he turned it down—the first' time because hè believéd Don ? Manuel Aràullo was his senior and desèrved the chief justiceship; and the second time because he was involved in the case of à coconut oil mill which was then pending before thé high tribunal. Don Gregorio possessed a high degree of delicadeza, and his ethical principles would;not permit him to occüpy the high position of Chief Justice. For several years in the 1920’s, he taught civil law at his alma mater, and in 1924 gave the commencement address on the topic “Character”—his advice to Filipino youth in their most formative years. His eldest surviving son, Salvador, still remembers the advice that Don Gregorio was fond of repeating: “A man is like a tree: if a tree starts crooked, it will always be crooked. But a tree that starts straight re­ mains straight throughout its life.” A devote practising Catholic throughout his life, Don Gregorio gave an example of Christian virtues. His wife, Carmen Zaragoza, whom he married on March 7, 1896, was herself a fervent Catholic from a family that traced its an­ cestry to the famed saint of Avila in Spain known as Santa Teresa de Jesus. Her father was Jose Zaragoza Aranquisma, editor and publisher of La Ilustración Filipina, who was des­ cribed by the bibliographer W. E. Retaña as a “Filipino of Spanish blood, somewhat sanctimonious and simultaneously nationalistic.” While examining a recently purchased hacienda in Bula- can, in the summer of 1930, in the company of another son, Antonio, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage attack. He was rushed to Manila and expired the day after, precisely on the day—by a strange coincidence—that his great and good friend, William H. Taft, also died in the United States. Don Gregorio’s contribution to our status as a nation was the highly efficient way he handled the judicial branch of the government while Secretary of Justice and Finance, thus proving to the sovereign power that a Filipino could discharge the functions of a cabinet position efficiently and more successfully than even an American. “He was given high credit by the Americans,” said the late Senator Juan Su- mulong, “who told me that the judiciary system of the Philip­ pines in his time was better than that of the United States.” “He was the ablest lawyer in the Philippines,” declared Taft. W. Cameron Forbes said that Don Gregorio “was an official of great distinction, proven integrity and notable capacity.” Speaker Osmena believed that “Araneta was one of the most outstanding figures during the early regime of Civil Governor Taft. As Solicitor and Attorney General he labored with his talent, his vast preparation as a lawyer, and his independent character.” Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos, a former Secretary of Justice, who died a hero’s death during the Japanese occupa­ tion of the Philippines, summed up Don Gregorio’s contribu­ tion to our country in these words: “Eminently qualified for the great task before him, by reason of his vast knowledge of law and jurisprudence, he (Araneta) played a prominent role in the process of forming a system of Philippine juris­ prudence based on the best principles derived from both the civil and the common law. The professional leadership he thus exercised had a profound influence on the proper admi­ nistration of justice in this country.” The best Executive Officer

Article written by Judge Jose C. Abreu for the Philippine Law Journal of the University of the Philippines.

The studious youth, especially those who are devoted to the study of Law, have much to learn and to emulate from this eminent Filipino, Gregorio Araneta. While still in the prime of life, having been born April 19, 1869, he already had, by his own merits, climbed up to the highest positions in the government. He was born in Molo, province of Iloilo, the town which has given the country the greatest number of lawyers and jurists. Mr. Araneta made himself known as a studious, energetic and shrewd lawyer, and it was not long before his merits gained recognition from the Spanish authorities, who appointed him acting Assistant Attorney General of the Audiencia, an office which in those days, was held only by men whose heads had grown gray on the bench. During that time, Filipinos who were not registered in the official roster were permitted to hold provisional offices only. Under that administration, even Cayetano Arellano himself, our most glorious legal light, was a mere Magistrado suplente of the Audiencia. But American sovereignty came, and it was formally promised that under it, the Filipinos would have better opportunities to show their capacity for self-government. The American government, from the first days of its regime, had intended to give to Filipinos greater participation in the management of public affairs. ' On the spur of these new téndencies, Filipinos of worth soon made themselves known. If Arellano attracted the ad­ miration of both Filipinos and foreigners with his talent and juridical learning from his'seat as Chief justice of the Su­ preme Court, and if Osmena earned the fame of being the most sagacious politician among the Filipinos, in turn, Ara- nétâ showed himself the best executive officer. When General Otis, after a deliberate study of the mat­ ter, organized the Philippine Judiciary, giving seats to the ¡Filipinos and appointing as presidentr the illustrious Caye- tano Arellano, Mr; Ararieta, though'still of young age, al­ ready had a place iri the Audiencia which was then created. He was judge of the civil sala, occupying a seat beside the vétéran judge, Manuel Araullo, and the Judge-Advocate- General of the United States Army—General Crowder. Upon the advent of the: civil govèrnment, the Audiencia created under the military government ceased to exist, to make way for what is now the SUpreme Court of the Philip­ pine Islands. As it was thought proper that there should be a :due proportion of Americans arid Filipinos in the new tri­ bunal, Mr. Araneta could not become à member of the same; but hardly a few months had elapsed'when the government called him to the office of Solicitor General. It was not in the mind of the: Commission to create this office^ arid it may be; said that" it was crèated for Mr. Ara­ neta. The members of the Comiriissibn took immediate notice of him when, during its public sessions, he intervened in the discussion of the bill providing for a Code of Civil Procedure. The most luminous opinions of that epoch, especially those which had to do with grave and intricate problems, eman­ ated from the talent and pen of Mr. Araneta. While he filled the position of Solicitor-General, his weight and impress on the Bureau of Justice were as great as those of the Attorney- General himself. It was said that Mr. Araneta was, in his opinion, without the exception of any American or Filipino, the best lawyer in the Philippines, and for that reason, he was deeply interested in his promotion to a post of greater importance and prestige. And he rèally carried out this in­ tention. When Mr. Wifley left the post of Attorney-General, Mr. Araneta filled the vacancy both by his own right and by suc­ cession. During his incumbency in this office, he continued to demonstrate that he possessed the gifts of an able admi­ nistrator and an efficient executive official. Endowed with an untiring activity and with a fervent zeal for work, he succeeded in stamping his individuality on the office of At­ torney-General, thus making it possible for his successors to find an easy-working mechanism in the Bureau of Justice. Mr. Taft realized that even the post of Attorney-General was too small for Mr. Araneta and he worked for the latter’s appointment as Justice of the Supreme Court, even at the risk of impairing the proportion of Americans and Filipinos; and as this could not be, due to the unexpected refusal of Justice Tracey to accept the position of Secretary of Finance and Justice which was offered to him, Mr. Taft who was then Secretary of War, continued to keep an eye on Araneta, and thought of him in connection with the post declined by Jus­ tice Tracey. And as a matter of fact, the promotion of Mr. Araneta to the position of Secretary of Finance and Justice was announced in a few months, this being the first time a commissionership with portfolio was conceded to a Filipino. Araneta did not, in this new office, disappoint the hopes that Taft and the government at Washington had reposed in him. The experience that he acquired in his previous posts, facilitated his work in the Department of Finance and Jus­ tice. It almost passed for a saying that no Filipino was able to understand and resolve difficult problems in finance; but Araneta belied this dictum. It is said of him that as a member of the Commission, his words were always listened to with rapt interest and al­ most had the weight of advice in the deliberations of the upper legislative body. Whenever there was a complex ques­ tion to solve, the matter was referred to Araneta. The walls of the Ayuntamiento are still pregnant with the reminis­ cences of the constructive and solid work accomplished by Araneta as Secretary of Finance and Justice; for this reason, it was necessary to look for a man of the type of Mapa to relieve him in that office.f , , ¡r - sc.ij 'k As a mere private citizen, divested of every official title, the salient qualities of this man rose to view. He resumed the practice of his calling with the same, zeal of other days and with a high sense of simplicity and true democratic spirit. The traditions of a glorious past did not .bar his appearance before the courts of justice, there to contend with his breth­ ren of the profession: Araneta never was popular, r in :the eense that he knew how to draw, by his .mere presence, the. applause of the masses. Never did he want to court the favor of public opi­ nion. He always believed that his mission was to teach and direct, rather than to please and attract. If we were to look for a parallel to his character, we could find it more easily in a Hamilton or a Root. The name of Araneta will go down to posterity as that of a patriot who has splendidly demonstrated the fitness of the Filipinos to fill the most exacting offices in the govern­ ment of the state. A public man can lay no claim on the admiration of his fellow-citizens unless he is adorned with private virtues, and it is precisely in his family life that people must look for an example worthy of imitation. Providence gave him a good wife and companion and 14 children. Surrounded by them, he lived a happy life, in the beautiful mansion which was constructed not for his own gratification, but for the well-being and comfort of his family. His house was a real palace, not only on account of its magnificent dimensions, but also because of the style and art with which it was ornamented. His office and library was a true place of retreat; it wore a noble aspect; the books standing on the shelves and heaped upon his desk proclaimed a man of learning. But it was not all sobriety that we saw in the character of this man; he had a profound love for art and especially for music. In order to satisfy his philharmonic propensities, he made perhaps the most complete collection of phonograph records in Manila at that time. He enjoyed listening through recordings of the best musicians and art­ ists, from Caruso down to Ritta Rufo, from Verdi to Wagner. The writer of these lines said to him one day: “My friend, what is the key to the success which you have attained in life?” He promptly replied: “My rule of conduct has been never to get disappointed or downhearted, even in the face of the greatest difficulties.” With this motto, it was not surprising that he should, in less than a decade, have scaled the heights of power and should have descended from them without having been over­ powered by the feeling of giddiness which they usually en­ gender. Jottings • • «

By Ma. Lourdes Ruiz, published in The Sunday Chronicle, April 13, 1969.

To commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Grego­ rio Araneta y Soriano, his children issued invitations for Mass to be held at the chapel of Ateneo de Manila Univer­ sity on Padre Faura at 11 a.m., April 19. His youngest son Francisco, a Jesuit, will celebrate the Mass. A luncheon will follow at the Coral Ballroom of Manila Hilton. In the eve­ ning the Araneta family will sponsor ah open-air concert of the Manila Symphony Orchestra at the Rizal Park. From April 17 to May 20, the Gregorio Araneta Memo­ rial Lectures on Amendments to the Constitution of the Re­ public of the Philippines will be held at the auditorium of the Education Building of the University of Santo Tomas every 6 p.m. on Thursdays except on May 1. Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion, former President Carlos P. Garcia, Sen­ ator Arturo M. Tolentino, former President Diosdado Maca- pagal, former Justice Jesus G. Barrera and former Senator Raul S. Manglapus will give the lectures. Born in Molo, Iloilo, on April 19, Don Gregorio was the 6th child and 5th son of 17 children of Felix Araneta y Mili- tante and Paz Soriano y Ditching. He went to school at Ateneo de Manila and took up law at the University of Santo Tomas. Upon graduation, Araneta served the Philippine gov­ ernment in various capacities: member of the Philippine Con- sultative Assembly, Secretary of the Malolos Congress, Sec­ retary of Justice, member of the committee which drafted the constitution of the first Philippine Republic and secre­ tary of the diplomatic commission created in 1898 by Gen­ eral Emilio Aguinaldo. Under the American regime he was Associate Justice of the first Philippine Court, Solicitor General, Attorney Gen­ eral and Secretary of Finance and Justice. This made him the first Filipino to head an executive department in the government. After Araneta retired from public service, he opened a law office, taught law at UST and authored several law books. He was one of the finest jurists of his time. He married the former Carmen Zaragoza of Manila. They had 14 children: Carmita, Jose, Salvador, Consuelo Cuesta, Paz Lopez Obieta, Antonio, Rosa Alcuaz, Ramon, Teresa Albert, Vicente, Conchita, Margarita Singh, Luis and Francisco. An exemplary family man, Araneta raised his children on Christian virtues and sound moral principles. He died March 9, 1930. To date there are 52 Araneta-Zaragoza grandchildren and 79 great grandchildren. in the eyes of our leaders, friends and the media at the time of his death. DIED: March 9, 1930 BURIED: March 10, 1930 Necrological Services Supreme Court March 30, 1930 St. Ignatius Church March 18, 1930 University of Sto. Tomas March 20, 1930 Manila Cathedral March 17, 1930 HE RANKS AMONG THE GREATEST Statement by Senate President Quezon1

I mourn the death of Secretary Araneta. He ranks among the greatest men this country has ever produced. As Attorney General and Secretary of Justice, he has ren­ dered a service to our government and people of lasting con­ sequence and effect. The Philippines has lost a true patriot. THE COUNTRY HAS LOST A PUBLIC SERVANT WITHOUT BLEMISH Statement by Acting Senate President Osmeha2 It is indeed a strange coincidence that just after the cables have announced the death of Chief Justice Taft, one of the most illustrious Filipinos of the present age, Gregorio Araneta, has also passed to the Great Beyond. Araneta was one of the most salient figures of the civil regime implanted here by Mr. Taft. As Attorney General of thé Philippine Gov­ ernment under Mr. Taft, he left upon the public service the impress of a personality which will always^ be an enduring monument to the capacity of the Filipino race. His was an undisputed talent, vast juridical preparation and an inde­ pendent character. In the civil commission, his work as Sec­ retary of Finance and Justice was so excellent that when he left that position, a Justice of the Supreme Court in the per­ son of Mr. Mapa had to be made to resign to fill up the vacancy left by his resignation. With the death of Mr. Araneta, the whole country has lost a public servant without blemish, an upright and excel­ lent jurisconsult, an exemplary citizen whose wisdom and patriotism were generally known to all. 1 Statement published in the Manila Daily Bulletin, March 10, 1930; The Guidon, March 19, 1930; Herald, March 12, 1930; La Vanguardia, March 12, 1930; The Tribune, March 12, 1930; El Debate, March 11, 1930. 2 Statement published in the Manila Daily Bulletin, March 10, 1930; The Guidon, March 19, 1930; Herald, March 12, 1930; The Tribune, March 12, 1930; El Debate, March 11, 1930. Statement by Acting Speaker de las Alas1 There is no question that Don Gregorio Araneta is one of our great jurists. It is not as jurist, however, that I ad­ mire him, but as a patriot. Having left the government, and while devoting his time to the practice of his profession and to business, he was ever willing and ready to answer the call of his country for more service and sacrifice. I still remember how he spent sleepless nights helping the Filipino leaders in winning in the controversy relative to the board of control. He sincerely and firmly believed that as Filipino, it was his duty to fight for the preserva­ tion of power already in the hands of our people. His un­ timely death will always be regretted by us who need his wise counsels in times of anguish and danger. AN EXCELLENT JURIST Statement by Secretary of Justice Abad Santos2 The Philippines has lost one of its leading citizens, an excellent jurist and a man of long and unblemished public record. Mr. Araneta was the first Filipino holding the posi­ tion of Attorney General, later as Secretary of Justice and Finance and also one of the first Filipinos to sit in the first Philippine Supreme Court. His achievements in public office were as many and brilliant as his accomplishments as a private practitioner of law. The country keenly feels its loss. The passing of Don Gregorio Araneta has removed from our midst one of the pillars of the legal profession. During his long and useful career, he made important contributions to the development of law in this country. He was privil­ eged to occupy, at different times, positions of influence during the formative period of our jurisprudence. Eminent­ ly qualified for the great task before him by reason of his vast knowledge of law and jurisprudence, he played a pro­ minent role in the process of formulating a system of Phil­ ippine jurisprudence based on the best principles derived both from the civil law and the common law. But he gained eminence at the bar not only by his

1 Statement published in the Manila Daily Bulletin, March 10, 1930; The Guidon, March 19, 1930; Herald, March 12, 1930; La Vanguardia, March 12, 1930; El Debate, March 11, 1930. 2 Speech delivered at the necrological services in the Supreme Court, March 30, 1930; and published in the Manila Daily Bulletin, March 10, 1930; The Guidon, March 19, Î930; Herald, March 12, 1930; La Vanguardia, March 12, 1930; El Debate, March 11, 1930. demonstrated ability and achievements but also because of his devotion to duty and his professional pride. His character and training, as well as his high standard of professional conduct, combined in achieving for him a place of leader­ ship in his profession. The professional leadership he thus exercised has a profound influence on the proper administration of justice in this country. IN ALL HIS CONTACTS IN LIFE HE WAS GREAT Statement by Atty. Clyde DeWitt1

It is difficult to do justice, in a few words, to his memo­ ry. It seems as though, in all his contacts with life, he was great. Devoted to his family, and they to him, and living there in a rare atmosphere of love and happiness, as a hus­ band and father, his life stood out in our community. Com­ panionable, considerate, and courteous in all his dealings with his brothers of the Philippine bar, respected and loved by them, and they by him, his life as a practicing lawyer was filled with kindly human contacts to an extent that is the privilege of few of us to enjoy. Thorough, painstaking and scholarly in his work and with powers of forensic ora­ tory excelled by none and equalled by few of the great orators of these Islands, he was a foe to be feared and an invaluable ally in litigation. Conscientious, industrious, and splendidly equipped by his legal training and brilliant mind, he brought to public life in these Islands attributes that made him, in ali the great offices he held, a public servant of the highest type. 1 Speech delivered at the necrological services held in the Supreme Court, March 30. 1930. A GREAT ASSET TO OUR PROGRESS Statement by Senator Juan Sumulong1

Gregorio Araneta was one of our countrymen who was a great asset to our progress. He was one of our brightest lawyers and one thing I admire in him when he was in the Philippine commission was that he was one of the two hard­ working members of that body. He was a man of indomit­ able determination and firm conviction. The Philippines has lost one of its biggest men in the death of Gregorio Araneta. Judge Araneta has shown himself a fine executive and a brilliant lawyer. As Secretary of Finance and Justice, he won credit from Americans who said that the judiciary sys­ tem of the Philippines during his time was better than that of the United States. Mr. Araneta was a hard-working man, a devoted hus­ band and a brilliant lawyer. He was recommended by the Wood-Forbes Mission to become Chief Justice of the Philip­ pines, which he refused. 1 Published in the Herald, March 12, 1930; The Tribune, March 12, 1930. TWO LOVABLE AND GREAT MEN Statement by Associate Justice George A. Malcolm of the Supreme Court1

Providence works in most unusual, and to human minds, incomprehensible ways. On the same day, we all learned of the deaths of the former Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, William Howard Taft, of the member of the United States Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Sanford, and of the former Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands and former Secretary of Finance and Justice, Gregorio Araneta. Chief Justice Taft and Secretary Araneta were associates and close friends. Each would mourn the passing of the other. It is within my personal knowledge the strong affection and admiration of Mr. Ara­ neta for Mr. Taft, while on the other hand, it is within my knowledge that Mr. Taft considered Mr. Araneta one of the ablest Filipinos. The Philippines will not be quite the same without the familiar and lovable figure of Gregorio Araneta. Particularly will the bench and bar recall his memory, for in every instance in which he was called to try cases, he did so retaining the respect of the judges and the admiration of his compañeros. The members of the Supreme Court have indicated by resolution their feelings of condolence and have added to it the unusual mark of respect of adjournment in honor of Chief Justice Taft and Secretary Araneta. And this was no mere formal resolution but was meant to express the sincere regard and respect of the individual members of the court for these two lovable and great men. 1 Statement given to the Tribune, March 12, 1930. THE BUSINESS OF HIS SOUL WAS HIS FIRST CONCERN By Ignacio Villamor1 We find in Gregorio Araneta a shining example of vir­ tue, sincerity, industry, will power, faith in success, and right living. His scholastic triumphs laid the foundation for his law practice. He applied his habits of industry and patient study to the judicial cases entrusted to his care. He gave himself up wholeheartedly to the study of Spanish literature, and in the course of his practice, he often had occasion to demon­ strate his superior oratorical gifts both in the forum and on the platform. Because of his exceptional ability, he earned an honorable place in the public eye, and was recognized as one of the most famous jurists of his time. In the short-lived Philippine Republic, he had a hand in the formation of the government, and was briefly Secre­ tary of Justice. Upon the change of sovereignty, the American govern­ ment recognized him a valuable aid in the organization of the new government and honored him with the post of Justice of the Supreme Court during the military regime, and that of Solicitor-General, Attorney-General and Secretary of Jus­ tice. In occupying these posts of responsibility and trust, Araneta showed tireless industry, deep-rooted devotion to his studies, and faithful discharge of his duties. He went to his office punctually always in order to study and pass upon the matters submitted to him for decision. The study and construction of the new administrative laws were his constant care. His opinion and advice were sought and his decisions were respected by the various branches of the gov­ ernment. When he thought that the term of his services to the government and to his people was at an end, he resigned as Secretary of Finance and Justice without the slightest re­ gret, with that tranquility of conscience consequent upon duty well done. He might have retired to private life, but he had been cast in the mould of restless toil, and he could not resign himself to utter quietude. Again displaying his legal talent, he opened his law office and soon brought it to the very forefront of Manila law offices. His fame as a jurist, to­ gether with his devotion to his duty, was the capital which yielded him an interest beyond his most sanguine dreams. In his profession, he attained brilliant triumphs. In two cases, that of Molina and that of Sarasola, wherein the Su­ preme Court had already rendered judgment against his clients, he argued so effectively at the rehearing that he ob­ tained the reversal of the decisions in both cases. If we con­ sider how rarely the Supreme Court reverses its own judg­ ment, we shall fully realize the weight and significance of such triumphs. Notwithstanding the great number of cases entrusted to his office, they were not enough, it seemed, to satisfy his extraordinary activity. He entered the field of business, and there became a living proof of the maxim that “Fortune favors the brave.” In a few years, he amassed a fortune esti­ mated at about two million pesos at his death. His genius for finance kept pace with his talent for the law. He attended to his business affairs with unfailing care, but one after­ noon, while inspecting a recently acquired estate in Nova- liches, he became suddenly ill, and never recovered. Gregorio Araneta did not place his happiness in worldly riches. His endeavors were directed to the constant practice of the Christian virtues and to the performance of good acts. Born and bred in the Church, he was a fervent Catholic, staunch and steadfast in the fulfillment of his religious duties. Neither the demands of his profession nor the pres­ sure of business could ever prevent him from first fulfilling his duty to God. The business of his soul was his first con­ cern. An exemplary father, Gregorio Araneta built his home upon the firm rock of Christian virtues. He moulded the hearts of his 14 children in the principles of sound moral education, and inspired their minds with a wholesome fear of God, being assisted in this labor of love by his pious wife, Carmen Zaragoza, of the noble lineage of St. Theresa of Jesus. A LOFTY SPIRIT By Chief Justice Ramon Avancena1

If a man is great as he turns away from himself and draws nearer to others, if the measure of greatness is the influence of his personality, Don Gregorio Araneta, as I con­ ceive him, was such a man. A lofty spirit, girded round with firmness of character, guided by a brilliant intellect, and moved by an iron will, he recognized no line of activity as beyond him, but stood ever prompt to heed the call of Duty to his family, his country, and his God. For a long time subject to a delicate malady which ob­ liged him to forego many of the comforts and satisfactions of life, he bore his burden with saintly resignation. He told me one day, speaking of this, “I only live for the sake of my family now.” And it was as he said, for he lived without a thought of self. He renounced the rest and repose to which his afflictions and his well-earned fortune alike entitled him; he gave himself up wholly to his family, and never blenched from his efforts to procure for them a life of ease and to assure them against indigence; he continued to work with heart and soul; he plunged into perilous enterprises, and through all the vicissitudes of fortune, he was neither cast down by failure nor intoxicated with success, until Death mercifully stepped across that path of self-denial, to bestow on him a repose far more lasting than that which he had re­ nounced. But riches, he did not seek for their own sake, but for the great power for good they would become in his hands. He rendered inestimable services to the three branches of the Government: legislative, judicial, and executive. He was erstwhile a member of the Legislative Civil Commission, a justice of this Court when it was first reorganized, Solici­ tor-General, Attorney-General, and Secretary of Justice, with this notable feature, that his appointment inaugurated the opening of these high offices to Filipinos for he was the first Filipino Attorney-General and all his successors were Fili­ pinos; he was the first Filipino Secretary of Justice, and all incumbents after him were Filipinos. As our watchword then was to prove the capacity of the Filipino, he applied all his energies to the task. Thus, as Attorney-General and as Sec­ retary of Justice, he not only justified those advances by his own triumphs, but also called to his side all those whom he believed capable of bringing honor to the cause. And so, like a soldier of peace, ever in the van, he led the thickest columns of our intellectual host through the breaches he himself had opened. Undoubtedly, one of his most glorious achievements was the brilliant part he took in the administration of justice. His vast general culture, his profound mastery of law which enabled him to analyze minutely the questions he submitted to this Court from all points of view, the clear logic that illumined his pleadings, and the eloquence and cogency of his oral arguments, gained for his opinions respect at all times, and in many difficult cases determined the criterion of this Court in its decision. He was a Catholic, and as Catholics we have lost in him the guide who drew us to the heights by the example of his own godly life, and by the inspiration of his burning fervour and humility. His religion was not merely the prop of faith, but the practice of worship and apostolic works. Let it suf­ fice to recall that in recognition of his labors for the Church, he was honored by the Holy Father himself. Such was his belief in religion that in all the trials and tribulations of life it was his constant refuge; in the forge of its doctrine his soul was tempered, and by1 its heat were fashioned those great virtues which so adorned his saintly life; and, finally, living for a life hereafter, he found in religion the fortitude to gaze serenely at the Death that tore him from our side. May the memory of Don Gregorio Araneta be a fount of inspiration to us whom he has left behind! MAN OF INTELLECTUAL DYNAMISM By Justice Jose O. Vera1

Mournful as are these rites in commemoration of one no longer in our midst, teeming as they are with memories of love and affection which transfix the heart, yet they have in them that virtue of inspiriting those who remain in the thick of the strife, calling to their mind, with zeal and fervour, the departed person’s probity and outstanding achievements for a guide, a beacon, and a paradigm unto future generations. And this virtue grows more potent according as the deeds assayed by the alchemy of reason and the crucible of public opinion are all the more signal, are all the more splendid. And when for the glorification of his memory this august Hall, where Justice lifts her awful form, takes on the weeds of death to commemorate and hallow his noble achievements, there is reason indeed to ease our grief in the praise and glory of his virtues. In the roll of our illustrious dead, a fresh name has been inscribed: GREGORIO ARANETA. Kith and kin, home and country weep for him; and for him, too, officials represent­ ing the Executive and the Cabinet, the Legislature, the Judi­ ciary, and the two Bar Associations of the country, here as­ sembled under the auspices of this Tribunal, the highest in the land, with one hand pressed against their heart to stifle its anguished beating, adorn the pages of our History with an act of faith, consecrating him as another great and im­ mortal son of the Philippines. And so it had to be, for Nature and Destiny showered their favours on this gifted man, the former endowing him with a keen intellect and the latter exalting him to the very pinnacle of powers unsought indeed, but abundantly de­ served. His life was an epic of intellectual activity, directed by that solitary and unconquerable soul of his, through the whirl of vicissitudes that bore him, as upon a magic carpet, to the Supreme Court during the military rule, and to the posts of Solicitor-General, and Secretary of Finance and Jus­ tice. Having served his country and government, wherein he put into practice his progressive ideas, conceived with lofty and patriotic aims, he rejoined his family, and in the bosom of domestic happiness and affection, he amassed that consi­ derable fortune which he left to his beloved wife and chil­ dren. Had he been another, with somewhat less of that iron will which fittingly ruled over his iron frame, and with that income which set him above the petty anxieties of daily life, he would have doubtless withdrawn from the field, glorying in the fruition of what for most of us is never anything more than the restless pursuit of rest. But that man who, in his plans and ambitions, was like the albatross which defies with its swift flight the force of the wind, could never condemn himself to inactivity, for his own undoing, nor countenance an unjust reproach directed to his countrymen. During the zenith of his glory and power the atmosphere was sur­ charged with imputations of indolence and economic inepti­ tude supposed to be inherent in tropical climes. Said impu­ tations, like heavy chains, bore down and fettered our na­ tional aspirations. It was at that time when Don Gregorio, equipped and armoured with his wide and long experience, with an eye single to the welfare of his countrymen, and bent upon accomplishing their vindication from those unjust charges, launched forth, like another Argonaut, upon the sea of business and commerce, whence he returned with the golden fleece of his desires, his fortune enlarged by the suc­ cess of his ventures, and with the pennant of Filipino cap­ ability streaming in the wind, proclaiming the aptitude of our race for economic pursuits. But, if Don Gregorio Araneta refuted by his own acts and example the notion that his countrymen were incapable in business, to the extent that he was considered as a para­ gon of dynamic energy in his enterprises, for the edification of the indolent and the slothful, his personality shone bright­ er and clearer in the field of his profession as lawyer and in the service rendered to his country and government. A profound master of the law, both remedial and substantive, acute and comprehensive in mind, piercing through the shifts and shuffles of chicanery, he was a great barrister, unstained in morality and characterized by an unswerving devotion to the causes entrusted to him. Bench and Bar have lost a peer­ less, tireless collaborator. He had the privilege to be pos­ sessed of a profound knowledge of the two procedural laws of the country, the past and the present, thus representing to a certain extent the blending of two epochs and two sover­ eignties—the Spanish and the American. His ample and pro­ found knowledge of Jurisprudence was the cornerstone of his public triumphs; nay, it was the rock whence the magic wand of power drew forth the first gush and spring of fame; for it is familiarly related that his vigorous discussion of Act No. 190, when it was laid before the Civil Commission for public preparatory to its adoption, so powerfully at­ tracted Governor Taft’s attention, that upon the creation of the Solicitor-General’s post, it was offered to him. From that time on, the record of his public career, which is known to all, was an uninterrupted eclosion to prestige and grandeur. In this brief review of the outstanding merits and ac­ complishments of that illustrious man, it is opportune to re­ call his signal contribution in connection with the appoint­ ment of Filipinos to high offices of the Government. From the early dawn of American occupation the Filipinos have deeply cherished a keen desire to participate in the adminis­ tration of their affairs. Upon the organization of the Philip­ pine Assembly, when a new road bristling with thorns and thistles was opened for further autonomous concessions, the people, by petitions and other persuasive means, sought the advent of a wider autonomy. On the other hand, the leaders of country, exalted by popular vote, worked assiduously for a majority of Filipinos in the Supreme Court and for the ap­ pointment of Filipinos as members with portfolios of the Philippine Commission. The sovereign, which throughout the history of colonization has ever been halting and chary of yielding to popular clamour, came forward with the plea that we did not have trained men. The name of Don Gregorio Araneta was then submitted; and the Metropolis, unable to gainsay the prestige of that honoured name, and prompted by a generous impulse, at last lent an ear to the demands for more autonomy of a people that had so lately proved, in grim and unequal warfare, its deep-rooted and burning love of liberty. It was then bruited about that Don Gregorio Ara­ neta would be appointed to the Supreme Court to fill the place of an American Justice about to resign, and that with his elevation the Filipino majority in that august body would at last become a beautiful reality. But at this slight rumour, hostility to native judicial ascendancy broke forth in a babel of cries and protests and wire-pulling, and nipped one of our fondest hopes in the bud. But the Metropolis had to concede something in order to placate the country and do honor to him who had been exalted by American governors to the rank of Attorney-General on his own sheer merits. It was then that for the first time, breaking loose from all the tra­ ditions of the past, the Secretaryship of Finance and Justice was thrown open to Filipinos commencing with the illus­ trious person of Don Gregorio Araneta. Fitful are the strokes and turns of Destiny! Governor Taft, who discovered the high merits of Don Gregorio and helped him in his rise to fame was, I believe, the only Amer­ ican who ever filled the two highest offices in the United States. And Don Gregorio seemed to foreshadow the unpa- ralled exaltation of his friend, by a sort of unconscious pre- cussorship, ascending to the Supreme Court under the mili­ tary rule, the Civil Commission, and'the Secretaryship of Finance and Justice—the three highest posts to which in his day a Filipino could aspire, in thé exécutive, legislative, and judicial departments of government.' ’’ Don Gregorio Araneta died because he had lived too in­ tensely. The daily flow of his intellectual dynamism was dev­ astating. Living constantly under the shadow of his religious and civic virtues, and moving in the spiritual beauty of a spotless morality, without hyprocrisy, he never feared on the crossroads of life the treacherous scythe of the Grim Reaper. He died like a good Christian and a model patriot. And when in the name of the Legislature, I here lay down my wreath of affection and admiration for his splendid life, hoping that his memory may live forever as a-glorious exam­ ple to the youth of our land, I do but fulfill an inevitable duty, enriching and embellishing once more the roll of our illustrious dead, with the noble name of Don Gregorio Ara­ neta. THE STURDY “MOLAVES” OF THE RACE Editorial written by Mr. Carlos Romulo, then the Editor of THE TRIBUNE, March 10, 1930.

Last Sunday, the Tribune printed the story of how Gre­ gorio Araneta turned down the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines because as a guarantor to an oil company heavily indebted to the Philippine National Bank, he felt that a Chief Justice could not afford to be in­ volved in heavy financial transactions. For an attorney who has devoted the best years of his life to the practice of law, to be appointed to the position of Chief Justice is the crown­ ing glory of his career and the realization of his fondest dreams. It can be easily imagined, therefore, what a strug­ gle of conflicting emotions must have been fought by Attor­ ney Araneta and what amount of willpower and self-control was necessary to subdue the enticing call of glory and power and to blind himself to the irresistible lure of personal ambi­ tion when a high sense of duty and delicacy pointed to him the path he should follow. There are still molaves of the race. They stand erect and strong, unperturbed by the tempests and the forest fires. Firmly rooted in the soil, their branches continue shooting upwards as their massive trunks, gnarled and knotted, grow in age and in strength. They are easily distinguishable from among the other trees, they can be picked out from the thou­ sands that surround them at a glance, for the molave seems to have something in it that, even in the vastness of a jungle, makes it stand out as the lord of all it surveys. The other trees look puny and insignificant, and its crown spreading itself over those of the rest, seems to offer a kindly shadow under which the insignificance and littleness of those be­ neath and around it may find generous concealment. How inspiring to come across such men during these days when they are so few and when they modestly stay away from the limelight, leaving the camoteng cahoy, the cogon, the balete to monopolize public attention. The youth of the land, with its dubious standards of leadership, should find in the molaves and tindalo of the race like Don Gregorio Araneta, a salutary influence to offset and counterbalance the hold that the tinsel show of ill-acquired glory and wealth has on its immature mind. There is, indeed, something more substantial, something more permanent than power or riches. Of what use is power to a man, of what use is his wealth to him when wherever he goes, he is followed by whispering, by knowing glances, by shaking of heads, because the people have suspicions about his integrity and morality? What happiness can a man have when he has a troubled conscience and as the hero in Poe’s thrilling “The Tell-Tale Heart”, it is his inner self that is constantly pointing to him with the accusing finger of guilt? He may have all that his heart desires in worldly possessions, but when he knows that there is in his past something to be ashamed of, like the albatross hung around the neck of the ancient mariner, that thought will weigh on his mind, torturing him with the relentlessness of retri­ bution. Don Gregorio Araneta, God-fearing as he is, knew all that. Like any other human being, when he was offered the position of Chief Justice, he must have tingled with pride to see that his labors have merited official recognition from no less a man than the President of the United States, acting on the recommendation of the late Governor General Wood and Ex-Governor W. Cameron Forbes. No doubt his first impulse was to accept it. He was to round out his life of un­ selfish service to his people occupying the highest position in the Philippine judiciary. He knew, more than any other one, that he deserved the post. He knew, too, that it would be a source of pride for his sons to recall, after he is gone, that the man whose name they bear, at one time occupied the exalted position of head of the highest tribunal of the land. He knew all these, and it is natural that he should have wanted to accept the offer. But to his everlasting glory and for the honor of his people, he turned it down, not only once but twice. The re­ quest was insistent. He was told that there was nothing un­ lawful in his being a Chief Justice and in being involved in some financial transactions with the Philippine National Bank. Anyway he was only a guarantor. But Gregorio Ara­ neta was adamant in his refusal. He knew too well that it was not illegal or unlawful. As a lawyer nobody needed to tell him that. But to him, there was a higher consideration, something he valued as much as life itself. It was not un­ lawful, it is true, but it was immoral. Immoral according to his strict interpretation of morality. Immoral according to his tenets of honesty and integrity. Immoral according to a standard he has set for himself. Immoral because it quar­ reled with his sense of honor and decency. And so, his ambition he subdued, his desire for glory and power he suppressed, and the alluring offer he passed up. Rather than be a chief justice with a troubled conscience, with people putting a question mark after his character, with himself not sure whether or not he has really done the right thing, he preferred to remain as a simple private citi­ zen, a practising attorney, earning by the sweat of his brow what he and his family have, proud of his name which, while it may not have the halo of popular acclaim, shines with a lustre undimmed because nobody on God’s earth can ques­ tion the integrity of the man who bears it. There are other molaves of the race. Sturdy and strong they grow, few and far between perhaps, but—thank God— we still have them. In the midst of this forest of shrubbery and vines and stunted trees in which we find ourselves, it is refreshing to come across the molave or the narra or the tin- dalo and look at them in their full-statured height and find inspiration in the fact that we still have them to look up to, to admire, and to emulate. The country need not fear for its future when it has such examples for the youth to follow. Whenever despair assails the nation’s soul as it looks on the depressing spectacle of men it has exalted, forgetting them­ selves in the mad scramble for power and wealth, all it has to do is to turn its gaze away from such a discouraging scene and look at mighty trees towering like giants way above the cracking underbrush of mediocrity and sham, and find con­ solation in the thought that a race that can produce men whose character has the tensile strength of the molave can stand the anay of national decay and survive the test of time. Truly was it said by Charles Summer that “The true greatness of nations is in those qualities which constitute the greatness of the individual.” LATE ARANETA HAD COLORFUL PUBLIC CAREER Aided Americans in establishing efficient judiciary system here. Reported by THE TRIBUNE, March 10, 1930.

The late Gregorio Araneta was born on April 19, 1869, in Molo, Iloilo, the town that has given the country the great­ est number of lawyers and jurists. He moved to Manila with his family at the age of ten. He pursued his secondary and college education in the Ateneo Municipal and Santo Tomas University, where he obtained in 1884, the degree of bachelor of arts from the first institution, and licentiate in law from the second in 1891. The gifted mind that had always been his since his early years won for him prizes after prizes in competitive and literary contests in his high school and college courses. If his exceptionally high scholastic record indicated anything, it was that he was destined to stand at the top of his pro­ fession and to be a leader in the activities in which he in­ tended to be engaged. When the Philippine revolution broke out in 1896, Mr. Araneta, then a young practising lawyer, took the field with the rest of his countrymen. But much as he was useful in actual battles, he was needed more for his legal talent as a counselor and adviser of the men directing the revolutionary forces. He was appointed representative to the national as­ sembly by General Aguinaldo on September 4, 1898, and in November of the same year, designated as a member of the commission which was to inform the whole world of the capability of the Filipino people to run a government of their own, and to establish relations with foreign powers in behalf of the Philippine Republic. He was also named a member of the committee organized to draft the Philippine constitution of which the famous Felipe G. Calderon was the author. In recognition of his legal merits and qualifications, he was appointed head of the department of justice of the Philip­ pine Government in 1899, and at the same time, secretary of the Malolos congress. When the Americans took control of the Philippine Islands, Mr. Araneta was easily picked out as one of the most able Filipinos who could aid the American authorities in re­ storing peace and implanting the government which they wanted to set up in the archipelago. Although he believed then that his people were capable of maintaining an indepen­ dent existence, Mr. Araneta thought there would be no harm to the country if the Philippines remained under the tutor­ ship of America for some time. He thus became one of the ataunch supporters of the Federal party when it was formed on Dec. 23, 1900. Because of his friendly attitude toward the Americans, he won their high esteem and thus became a very close friend of high American officials, one of whom was Chief Justice Taft who regularly wrote to him and considered him the ablest lawyer in the Philippines. They both died on the same day. The establishment of an efficient and upright judiciary system was one of the first problems of the Americans in the Philippines, and the subject of this article greatly helped them in performing the task. In 1901, he was appointed Soli­ citor General, a position purposely created for him, and five years later, promoted to Attorney General. Attorney Araneta did not only possess a juridical mind but executive ability as well. It was a signal honor for him when he was appointed Secretary of Finance and Justice on July 1, 1908, the first time that a commissionership with portfolio was given to a Filipino. He served in that position until the arrival of Governor General Harrison in 1913, when he resigned to practice his profession. As a member of the Philippine Commission, Mr. Ara- neta’s advice and counsel were always sought by his Amer­ ican colleagues. Many were the complex questions before the Commission which were referred to him, and he solved all of them satisfactorily. As a businessman, Mr. Araneta was of the premier class. There are perhaps very few other men who can boast of so many business connections which the former commissioner had. During the last days of the Spanish regime and the early years of American occupation, he was connected with big commercial firms. He was recorder of the Banco Español- Filipino from 1899 to 1902, assistant director and later direc­ tor of the same banking house from 1903 to 1908, and direc­ tor of the Compañía Marítima, Germinal Cigarette Factory, and other business organizations. He was vice-president of the Insular Life assurance company and the Philippine Guar­ anty Company, and director of the Philippine American Drug Store, Philippine Education, Heacock, Philippine Engineer­ ing and Brias Roxas companies. When asked for the secret of his success, Araneta, with his characteristic brevity, said: “My rule of conduct has al­ ways been never to get disappointed or downhearted even in the face of the greatest difficulties.” Mr. Araneta was married to Carmen Zaragoza of Ma­ nila, with whom he had 14 children. He was a member of the Philippine Bar and American Bar associations, and a holder of a medal awarded to him by his Holiness Pope Pius XI, last year: Cross of Pro Ec­ clesia el Pontífice. CHARACTER OF GREAT CITIZEN IS PORTRAYED Declined high 'position because he guaranteed loan given by Government bank. Reported by THE TRIBUNE, March 10, 1930.

For some reason or other, people can’t help thinking of a man constantly in the public eye as something like the hub of the universe; around no other, they gradually come to feel, can they allow their meek, order-loving lives to safe­ ly gravitate. It is thus that a man, not necessarily of su­ perior genius, becomes a habit local or national, depending on the radiant force of his character. This situation has its cost. With public attention habit­ ually focused on such a one figure, the rest of the citizens are apt to be reduced into one vague futile abstraction now cussed, now flattered, now invoked, according as the rela­ tive efficiency of the professional mentors’ digestion deter­ mines the mood. You can’t do much with an abstraction—except to con­ fuse people’s minds. Nothing less than a great calamity is in order, to discern the outlines of other figures equally worthy or more, that have been hitherto hidden in the very insubstantiality of that abstraction as a consequence of ex­ clusive attention to the person who has thus become a national habit. Here is why typhoons incidentally make such a neces­ sary, bracing and illuminating experience. The cold wind is there, you know; and what is better, it does the sweeping in the grand, efficient manner which we, in our criminal sloth, neglect to do. The best thing about it all is the stark revelation the morning after of ignominious naked stump remains of what used to pass for reliable solidity and power, and of formerly unrecognized landmarks that now stand out of the debris, still intact, bloody but unbowed. Now that we have cleared the shoaly waters of meta­ phors, and not very gloriously so, we may go ahead confi­ dently and think of a man called Gregorio Araneta—if but for a relief from our obsession with the so-called clay-footed divinities that make up the hub of our local universe. (Don’t bother now about the logicality of a universe that allows it­ self to be localized). Gregorio Araneta was what some people, in the heyday of ex-Fiscal Guevara’s renown a year ago, were somewhat timid to admit—a lawyer. Being a lawyer makes it incum­ bent upon one to face embarrassing moments at times. At­ torney Araneta had his and two of those embarrassments in the past stand out clearly: first, when he had to decline to become Chief Justice of the local Supreme Court at the in­ stance of Taft; and second, when he had to decline years later, to become Chief Justice of the local Supreme Court at the instance of Forbes and Wood. You remember that picture of the great Caesar enjoy­ ing the purple robe but refusing the scepter. The only per­ tinency of this reference is that it can not apply to Lawyer Araneta. The occasion of the first embarrassment, if we may re­ capitulate some history, was the unavoidable fact that Chief Justice Arellano died. What saved the embarrassed lawyer was the fact that Justice Araullo was a senior member of the supreme bench. The lawyer may be modest, but he did not show it there; it seems what was felt as more necessary was that feeling known in polite circles as delicacy. Now, as regards the second, Chief Justice Araullo un­ fortunately died also—probably to be an additional support to that old classic syllogism on human mortality. The cir­ cumstance that saved Attorney Araneta from this second embarrassment was different, although the feeling accom­ panying it was essentially the same. He happened to be a guarantor of the now defunct Cris­ tobal Oil Company that thrived on the war boom but sub­ sequently flopped in the sudden slump in prices of the post­ war business debacle. As guarantor to a company heavily indebted to the Philippine National Bank, he felt that a Chief Justice could not afford to be involved in heavy financial transactions. The chief justiceship had to go. To this day, if we are rightly told, the lawyer who could, but would not, be Chief Justice, had a monthly check of some 1*8,000 written against his own income in favor of the bank. Since we have become biographical, we might as well go a little further—back to the facts of an earlier past. In the reign of Mr. Taft as first Civil Governor of the islands, it might be true that the Philippines was for the Filipinos, as Mr. Taft himself alleged, but certainly not, as yet, the offices of consequence in the insular government The Amer­ ican as an official species was the rule as the dinosaurus must be during a certain geologic period. The point is Attor­ ney Araneta appeared then and there to be of real intrinsic consequence; sufficiently so as to realize that the rule could not be applied to him rigidly. Gov. Taft felt the Filipino law­ yer ought to be something in the general line and so Mr. Araneta was made Solicitor General, an office especially created for him. There was a secret objection to his becom­ ing assistant Attorney General, a position he could easily adorn but which might eventually hoist him up to the posi­ tion of Attorney General, an eventuality local American opi­ nion was not prepared to welcome and sanction, and which it soon became necessary to accept in spite of that opinion. For some unknown reason, the then Attorney General went on leave and Mr. Araneta had to be informed by Executive Secretary Ferguson that he had been ordered by Acting Governor Wright to issue an executive order appoint­ ing Mr. Hausserman as acting Attorney General. Mr. Ara­ neta immediately went to Governor Wright and tendered his resignation, feeling that a Solicitor General had been un­ fairly refused a chance to acquit himself decently. Governor Wright forthwith made Araneta Attorney General, explain­ ing there must have been a misunderstanding somewhere. So Lawyer Araneta could get a job if he was in earnest about it. There is a prevailing impression which lays the guilt of Filipinization at the feet of the most romantic of Phil­ ippine governors-general, Francis Burton Harrison. The virus of the germ had perhaps started to work earlier. It significantly began probably when Araneta became Attorney General. It might even be said that the career of the vanish­ ing American official whose last stronghold seems to be the post of chief of police of Manila, should mark that even as an occasion for official mourning. It couldn’t be worse if we had a Filipino governor general. To continue with Mr. Araneta. A vacancy had occurred in the Supreme Court and Governor Taft, who was back, wanted the Attorney General for the position. But to appoint him would make a Filipino majority in the highest tribunal of the land, a situation that then seemed manifestly impos­ sible; so he was made Secretary of Justice instead. As Secretary of Justice, Araneta was remorseless—about Filipinization. He Filipinized the Attorney General’s office and the municipal court of Manila for all that the word was worth. There was then a strong belief that a Filipino couldn’t possibly become a judge of the municipal court. Araneta, be­ ing the compunctionless official that we have said he was, insisted. Judge Manuel Camus was the result. Another thing. In the Mountain Province, it had always been a matter of policy inviolably traditional to have an American for fiscal. As soon as a vacancy occurred, Filipi­ nization again had its way, this time in the person of Fiscal Favis. So it ought to be clear by now that the guilt of Har­ rison had mitigating circumstances. As regards the lawyer Araneta, shortly after he dis­ appeared from public view. We have not heard since. So many things have come up. We quarreled with General Wood. Col. Stimson came and we got soaked in cooperation. Kawit resumed its volcanic activity once more. We had a hard time eluding mud and lava. Mr. Quezon “malingered” in Monro­ via. And now we are full of Governor Davis. We have the tears of the Speaker for relief; but hardly sufficient. Final­ ly, thanks to the storm. So many houses and so many repu­ tations blown down. But, in the debris, we need not weep like Scipio, the ancient general, did over the ruins of Carthage. There are a few buildings still that stand, a few temples, a few of every­ thing that is solid, permanent, enduring. One of them is the public record of a lawyer named Gregorio Araneta. We can still dream of our allotted mission on earth. DON GREGORIO ARANETA A Moral Force in the Community. Editorial, Manila Daily Bulletin.. March 11, 1930.

A great Filipino, Don Gregorio Araneta, a successful businessman, a distinguished politician, a legal luminary, a moral force in the community has passed away. The country has lost a valuable citizen. And his people mourn his death. Even as a young man, Don Gregorio showed flashes of his intellect. When the Filipinos founded a republic and or­ ganized the Malolos government, he became one of the con­ spicuous members of the Malolos Congress and the Secretary of Justice. And in recognition of his capacity as a states­ man, he was made one of the close advisers of the founders of that government. The Philippine Republic crashed, and American rule came into being. The new regime was quick to recognize his talent. And in the Philippine government, he successively occupied the offices of Solicitor General, Attorney General and Secretary of Finance and Justice. He could have scaled higher in the judiciary, but his deep moral sense would not allow him to fill an office which might be called upon to interfere with questions in which he might have personal interest. Don Gregorio’s public career is a permanent lesson for emulation. It is a lesson in success, in honorable endeavor, in high moral sense, in achievements. As a politician, he belonged to a group of conservatives who would obtain the country’s ideals through the workings of steady evolution. He never lost interest in the political progress of the country, though of late, he took no active part in it. Since his separation from government service, he en­ gaged himself in the practice of law and in business. And it is no secret that his law firm is one of the local leading of­ fices. As a businessman, he could be considered a tycoon. In his death, the country lost a great citizen, a powerful constructive force, a real practical leader who led by his ex­ amples, not by preachments. ONE OF ITS GREATEST CITIZENS Editorial, The Guidon, March 19, 1930.

In a speech delivered by Admiral William S. Benson, militant convert, to a crowd celebrating the silver jubilee of Bishop Brennan at Richmond, Va., he cited in plain language the obligations of all Catholics. He says: “The obligations resting on Catholics in this country are manifold and varied: We have our personal salvation to secure: have our duties as Catholics, possessing the true Faith, to do our full share in the propagation of that Faith by the lives we lead, the examples we set, and the work we do and the way we do it.” Last week passed away from this world, Don Gregorio Araneta. It was like a bolt from the blue. The Filipino peo­ ple felt at once the loss of one of its greatest citizens. A jurist, patriot, exemplary citizen, politician of +he highest order, and above all, a faithful Catholic layman has joined the kingdom of the just. He died as he lived—a simple, honest, God-fearing citizen, loyal to his God and country to the last. Don Gregorio was not an ordinary Catholic, one whose principles would be easily swayed. Don Gregorio was not of such a type. He was a real red-blooded Catholic. He stood by his principles, that is why, like the famous Marshal Fer­ dinand Foch of the Allied Armies, he died a simple man whose sound morality was deep-rooted in the very fabric of his being, unblemished by the evils of the world. In truth, he was a real “molave of the race.” He hated clarions and the ruffle of drums. He was offered the chair of the highest judicial office in the land, and yet, though it was but the reward of his services, the culmination of a career dedicated to the exaltation of impartial justice, he refused. Why? It was in a sense of propriety, a matter of “delicadeza”, in a sense purely Catholic. To the Philippines was lost a national builder and archi­ tect. Attaining the heights of a career few men can equal, he was truly great. But his greatness was not only of the mind. He was far greater than that. An unimpeachable morality was founded on his very essence. He was not a common “politico”. Nor was he ah ordinary lawyer. He was great in himself. The nation has lost in its crucial period in history, one of the greatest men the race has ever produced. He was a patriot of the day—a patriot in his own right. The Catholic Church has lost a staunch defender—a crusader. The Church can well take pride in her son. He was a faithful Catholic. He was a frequent communicant and a holder of the medal Pro Ecclesia et Pohtifice. He was for the Church and the Pope. He was a colorful figure in our nation’s history, but he was far more colorful in the life of the Church. He died a Catholic death. He never forgot his Maker, an example worthy to note in this day of “modern” tendencies and ideas. In short, he contributed to the glory of his Faith in this world. Don Gregorio Araneta dead? Don Gregorio Araneta will never die! TWO GOOD MEN — AND TRUE Editorial, The Free Press, March 15, 1930. Two great figures on the Philippine scene, William H. Taft and Gregorio Araneta, were removed by death on the same day last week. Both of them were strong, vigorous per­ sonalities, men who dared to stand out above the crowd of their contemporaries, men who dared to defy public opinion in order to stand by their own convictions. Taft’s doctrine of “The Philippines For the Filipinos” brought down on his head the contemptuous abuse of Amer­ ican businessmen in the Philippines. Araneta’s openly ex­ pressed opposition to complete, absolute and immediate in­ dependence brought him into disrepute with many of his countrymen and resulted in his defeat when he ran for the senate. Yet today, both men, having nobly suffered “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” are being acclaimed by the very persons who once could find no epithets too humi­ liating to hurl at their heads. Time, the final arbiter in the game of life, has finally brought them the reward which must come to public figures who remain true to their ideals. SUPREME COURT PAYS HIGH TRIBUTE TO TAFT, ARANETA Highest Tribunal of the Land Passes Two Resolutions Eulogizing Deceased Colleague, Former Governor from the Herald, March 12, 1930.

Two resolutions were approved yesterday by the Supreme Court in connection with the death of the late Chief Justice William Howard Taft, former Governor General of the Is­ lands, and Attorney Gregorio Araneta, former member of the local high tribunal. The court pays a high tribute to the two deceased. The Taft resolution, which was drafted by a committee composed of Acting Chief Justice E. Finley Johnson, chair­ man, and Justice Charles A. Johns and Norberto Romualdez, members, gives a brief biography of the deceased, giving special emphasis on his great accomplishments. Proceeding further, the resolution says: “The greatest burden of his soul was to see, established in the Philippine Islands, courts of justice, of dignity and honor, worthy of the high respect and admiration of the Filipino people. In all of the high positions which he occu­ pied during his lifetime, his services were of the highest character and of the greatest value to the people. In all of said positions he conducted himself with distinction and dis­ interestedness and with unyielding honor and integrity. He possessed a saintly calmness of temperament, with unexcelled accuracy of judgment, with an unblemished and holy character, with sane views upon all questions of sociol­ ogy and statecraft, with a soul aflame to do equal and exact justice, to the end that the poorest man in the land might enjoy all the rights, opportunities and advantages of the rich and most powerful persons. His learning was not excelled by his sagacity. He was acute in his perception and wise in his deliberation. He was a most erudite prince of men. His treatment of his associates as well as the members of the bar was always marked with unequalled kingly deportment. The members of the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands deeply mourn the loss of their beloved and respected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. They desire to express their sorrow and transmit their most pro­ found condolence to his family, relatives and friends. They are anxious to perpetuate the memory of his great character and of his valuable services to his people as well as to the people of the Philippine Islands, to the government of the Philippine archipelago and to the future generation of the Filipino nation.” The Araneta resolution which was drafted by a com­ mittee composed of Chief Justice Ramon Avancena, chair­ man, and Justice George A. Malcolm and Ignacio Villamor, members,,unlike the Taft resolution, is brief. It follows: “The members of the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands having learned with profound sorrow of the untime­ ly death of the Honorable Gregorio Araneta, formerly a Jus­ tice of the Supreme Court under the military regime, and who later filled the responsible positions of Solicitor-General, Attorney-General, member of the Philippine Commission, and Secretary of Finance and Justice, with credit to himself and to his country, and who as a lawyer was recognized as the Dean of the Philippine Bar, and who as a man and a citizen was imbued with the highest ideals: Therefore, the Court desires by this means to make of record its tribute to the eminent services of the Honorable Gregorio Araneta and: its condolences to the family of the deceased. Let a copy of this resolution be engrossed and furnished the family of the late Gregorio Araneta, and as further token of respect, let the record show that the Court adjourned on learning of his death out of respect to his memory;” A MOLO MAN Article written by the Editor of The Free Press, March 15, 1930.

The late Don Gregorio Araneta came from a town in Iloilo often called the Athens of the South—Molo. When our Supreme Court was organized under the pre­ sent sovereignty there were two men from Molo in its ori­ ginal membership: Don Raymundo Melliza and the late Don Gregorio. It is a small town, Molo is; in fact, it is now only a dis­ trict of Iloilo city, but nowhere in this country can one find so many licenciados in proportion to population. The town is characterized by its substantial houses—big, ancient, strong. Just like its people, sturdy and conservative, and paradoxically enough, imbued with the do and dare spirit of the pioneers. The Iloilo men who have converted the for­ ests of Occidental Negros into fruitful haciendas of sugar cane came mostly from Molo—the forebears of the Lacsons and the Locsins, the Sorianos and the Siguenzas, the Valen­ cias and the Villanuevas, the Yulos and the Yusays, the Salas and the De la Ramas, to cite only a few notable Molo sur­ names. “Sturdy Molaves” A deep religious sense marks the life of the average Molo man, which might explain Carlos P. Romulo’s descrip­ tion of such illustrious Moleños as Araneta and Avanceña as “sturdy molaves of the race.” When Don Gregorio Araneta became a power in the Philippine government, he surrounded himself with a num­ ber of Molo men, had them appointed to important positions and acted as a sort of patron to them. The late official was criticized as “regionalista.” Señor Araneta replied that he knew his appointees as upright and honest men, capable of filling their positions, and in the last few years, he boasted how time had vindicated his faith in the integrity and capa­ city of his Molo appointees. Like a good Moleño, Don Gregorio was very deeply at­ tached to his relatives, and naturally to his own family. The last letter he dictated, which remained unsigned be­ cause of his death, was one to his brother, Dr. Pablo Ara­ neta, a general of the revolution. To his children, he was always a chum, a wise guide and a counselor. He liked to be with his children. At the time he suffered an attack of cerebral hemorrhage Saturday at his farm in San Jose del Monte, he was accompanied by his son Antonio. Salvador, who inherits the mantle of his father as a lawyer, says that one of the most vivid lessons he re­ ceived from his father was the following parable: “A man is like a tree. If the tree starts crooked at the beginning, it will always be crooked. But a tree that starts straight, remains straight throughout its life.” One of Don Gregorio’s greatest sources of pride was the thought that when he was Solicitor General, Attorney Gen­ eral, and Secretary of Finance and Justice—this last position carrying with it a salary of 1*32,000 a year—he discharged his duties sufficiently well to win, according to former Commis­ sioner, now Senator Juan Sumulong, “credit from Americans who said that the judiciary system of the Philippines during his time was better than that of the United States.” A familiar story of Don Gregorio’s integrity as a busi­ nessman reveals how he signed as guarantor two notes in the amount of P600,000 during the great World War business boom. When the crash came, he had to make good his guar­ antee, and also lost in other ventures about P500,000—a total loss of more than a million. Rebuilds his Fortune Undaunted, Mr. Araneta worked to rehabilitate the fa­ mily finances. He was anxious to make good and pay off his obligations as soon as possible. Although hie had been a mem­ ber of the Supreme Court and was a former Secretary of Justice and Finance—the first Filipino to hold a portfolio during the American administration—and although his law firm was, and continues to be, the biggest income producer among Filipino law firms, Mr. Araneta did not refuse to per­ sonally attend cases in municipal courts in nearby provinces when his services were adequately compensated. Punctili­ ously he wiped off his obligations, and upon his death, left a fortune that runs to seven figures. What, in the opinion of his children, is the greatest lega­ cy their father has left them? The heritage of a great name is, of course, in itself a glorious legacy. But greater than that in the opinion of his children is their father’s example as a Catholic. “He practised and lived the Catholic religion so devoutly and conscientiously,” says one of his sons, “that we have no doubt our father is now in Heaven.” Commercial Cooperation It was not only as a jurist and as a public servant, how­ ever, that Mr. Araneta distinguished himself, but also as a businessman. He believed in Philippine-American cooperation not only in our government, but also in local business and industry, hence his heavy investments in Philippine-Amer- ican and cosmopolitan commercial enterprises. An American businessman associate of his declares he feels the loss of Sr. Araneta as deeply as he would that of a brother. Fine Tributes On the occasion of the death of Don Gregorio Araneta last Sunday, it is fitting to record here what two great Amer­ icans said about him while he was still living: “A worthy successor of Arellano in the jurisprudence of the Philippines,” wrote Chief Justice William H. Taft on a photograph presented to Sr. Araneta and reproduced on page 4 of this issue. Indeed, Chief Justice Taft was copious in his praise of his friend. Writing Salvador Araneta, son of the famous lawyer, the first American civil governor of this archipelago said: “I remember your father as the ablest lawyer in the Philippines.” In another letter addressed to Attorney Salvador Zaragoza, partner and brother-in-law of the late Filipino jurist, Taft made this revelation: “Had I had my wish gratified, he would have been made Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and I recommended it when invited to do so, but this choice went otherwise. I have no doubt Sr. Araullo is a good man, but the best man in the Philippines for it was your partner.” The other great American who paid high tribute to Don Gregorio is former Governor General William Cameron Forbes, who describes the late lawyer as “an official of great distinction, proved integrity and notable capacity.” “Sr. Araneta,” in the words of Senator Sergio Osmeha, “was one of the most outstanding figures during the early civil regime established by the then Civil Governor Taft. As Solicitor General and as Attorney General, Araneta labored with his talent, his vast preparation as a lawyer and his in­ dependent character. His was a personality which stood and which shall always stand as a monument to the capacity of the race. In the civil commission, his deeds as Secretary of Finance and Justice were so excellent that, when he resigned, it was necessary to secure the services of such a brilliant man as Justice Mapa to find a worthy successor.” ARANETA FUNERAL, SIMPLE, DIGNIFIED As re-ported by Manila Daily Bulletin—March 10 and 11, 1930 and The Philippines Herald—March 11, 1930.

High Government Officials Escort Remains of Great Filipino Amidst simple ceremonies and attended by the highest officials of the Philippine government, Don Gregorio Araneta y Soriano, Filipino jurist, businessman and politician par excellence was laid to rest among his brothers and sisters of the great Catholic order of “Santo Entierro” at the Catholic cemetery of La Loma yesterday afternoon. The remains of the great Filipino jurist were placed in a humble niche at the cemetery. Services Today Three masses were said yesterday morning in the Ara­ neta home by the Jesuit fathers, assisted with prayers said by sisters from Catholic colleges of Manila. Members of the legislature, department secretaries, judges, bureau chiefs, city officials and members of the bar were among the pallbearers at the funeral. They took turns as follows: From San Sebastian church to Calle Lepanto, members of the legislature; Calle Lepanto to Bilibid, cabinet members; Bilibid to Opera House, judiciary; Opera House to Calle Bambang, bureau chiefs; Calle Bambang to San Lazaro, city officials; San Lazaro to Calle Camarines, members of the bar; Calle Camarines to Calle Antipolo, businessmen; Calle Antipolo to cemetery entrance, friends; cemetery entrance to first turn, friends; first turn to bridge in front of Cementerio del Norte entrance, employees of Araneta-Zaragoza law of­ fice; bridge to niche, family. The body was in state in the Araneta home. Many friends and admirers of the great man who learned of his sudden demise, visited the family residence yesterday afternoon. Former cabinet members, judges of the Court of First Instance of Manila, ranking members of the bar of the Philippine Islands, and Don Gregorio’s contemporaries called at the residence to pay last tribute. Don Gregorio was survived by his widow, Dona Carmen Zaragoza de Araneta and 13 children, including Jose, Salva­ dor, Consuelo, Paz, Antonio, Rosa, Ramon, Teresa, Vicente, Concepcion, Margarita, Luis and Francisco. All are heirs to a large estate. Many wore the expressions of grief yesterday among public men in the Philippines for Don Gregorio Araneta. The funeral cortege started from the Araneta residence at 1030 Calle R. Hidalgo at 4 p.m. and proceeded to the San Sebastian Church where the final responsory was held. The parish priest of the district officiated in the service. Senate President Quezon, Senate President Pro-tempore Osmeña, Acting Speaker de las Alas, members of the legis­ lature, the Supreme Court, prominent members of the local bar associations and well known businessmen of the capital attended the church service. The brass-colored coffin was borne out of the church after the service while the huge church organ played a funeral dirge. The hearse on which the body of Don Gregorio Araneta was placed left the San Sebastian church at 4:30. The cortege was led by two police officers on motorcycle, followed by the Constabulary band. Not a flower was seen in the procession. It was only when the coffin was about to be committed to the niche that his sons, who were the only members of the family allowed to attend the funeral, scattered violets on the niche, their final tribute to their illustrious father. As the funeral cortege swung from the San Sebastian Church to Rizal Avenue, the City’s main business artery, and later on to the Catholic cemetery of La Loma, a great mul­ titude banked the sidewalks trying to get a glimpse of the hearse and the coffin within. As the procession was entering the cemetery, the 31st Infantry band, which relieved the Constabulary band at the corner of Rizal Avenue and San Lazaro street, played Cho­ pin’s funeral march. The procession trudged along in great silence until it reached the niche, the final resting place for the great man. A pathetic incident occurred as the brass-colored coffin was being placed in the niche. Jose, the dead man’s oldest son, who bore his grief silently all the way, broke into sobs when he saw the remains of his father being put into the niche. Ranking members of the legislature, leading Manila busi­ nessmen, department secretaries, judges, bureau chiefs, city officials and members of the local bar association were among the pallbearers. They took turns as follows: From San Sebastian church to Lepanto: Acting Senate President Sergio Osmeña, Senator Jose P. Laurel, Senator Juan Sumulong, President Rafael Palma, Speaker Antonio de las Alas, Representative Pedro Sabido, Vicente Singson Encarnación and former Resident Commissioner Jayme C. de Veyra. From Lepanto to the corner of Evangelista and Azcar- raga: Secretaries Honorio Ventura; Miguel Unson, Jose Abad Santos, Rafael Alunan, Filemon Perez, Alejandro Albert, Luis P. Torres and Vicente Carmona. From the corner of Evangelista and Azcarraga to the Opera House: Chief Justice Ramon Avanceha of the Supreme Court; Justices George Malcolm, Norberto Romualdez, Anto­ nio Villa-Real, James Ostrand, and Judges Carlos Imperial, Anacleto Diaz and Eulogio P. Revilla of the Manila Court of First Instance. From the Opera House to the corner of Rizal Avenue and Bambang: Vicente Aldanese, Juan Posadas, Jr., Salva­ dor Lagdameo, P. Lucas, Attorney General Delfin Jaranilla, Judge Mariano Cui, Solicitor General Alexander Reyes and Enrique Altavas. From the corner of Bambang and Rizal Avenue to San Lazaro: Acting Mayor Santiago Artiago, President Antonio Torres, Councilors Manuel de la Fuente and Pascual Santos, Vicente Alfonso, Fiscal Alfonso Felix, Police Chief Columbus E. Piatt, and H. A. Bordner. From San Lazaro to Camarines: Francisco Ortigas, C. A. Dewitt, G. Harvey, Carlos Sobral, Jorge B. Vargas, Jose Yulo, Francisco Delgado, and W. C. Brady, all of the local bar association. From Camarines to Antipolo: Samuel F. Gaches, Roy S. Springer, C. W. Rosenstock, Geronimo Abella, Jose F. Fer­ nandez, Fulgencio Borromeo, Enrique P. Brias Roxas, Fran­ cisco Beech and Rafael Corpus, representing the business elements of the community. From Antipolo to the gate of the La Loma cemetery: General Emilio Aguinaldo, Felipe Agoncillo, Jose Alejan- drino and M. N. Tuason. From the gate of the La Loma cemetery to the first curve leading to the burial ground: Manuel Ynchausti, Ale­ jandro Roces, Arsenio N. Luz, Leopoldo Kahn, Jose Ma. Del­ gado, Mauro Prieto, Benito Legarda, Sr., and Francisco Or­ tigas. From the first curve to the niche: Leon Miguel Heras, Vicente Madrigal, Felix Roxas, Enrique Carreon, J. P. Heil- bronn, Alberto Barretto, Fritz Hauffmann, Ramon J. Fer­ nandez, and members of the law firm of Araneta & Zaragoza, and the family of the deceased. Catholic rites for the dead were said by Father Serapio Tamayo of Sto. Tomas University, and Father F. O’Brien, rector of the Ateneo de Manila, first alma mater of Don Gregorio. Other church dignitaries and prelates were in at­ tendance. There were no funeral orations delivered. Many resolutions of condolence, letters and telegrams were received by the Araneta family all day yesterday. The Supreme Court adjourned yesterday, and the Manila Court of First Instance held no sessions in the afternoon. The municipal board passed a resolution of condolence. Councilor Antonio Torres, president of the municipal board, sponsored the resolution. Many business houses and insurance firms of which Don Gregorio was either a large stockholder or a member of the board of directors closed their doors in the afternoon as a token of respect to the deceased, and their ranking officials attended the funeral services. Court proceedings in which the law firm of Araneta & Zaragoza were attorneys were stayed, following receipt of report that Don Gregorio died. Among these important cases was that of the San Carlos Milling Company against the Bank of the Philippine Islands. Necrological services in honor of Don Gregorio Araneta will be held in Manila under the joint auspices of the Amer­ ican and Philippine Bar Associations. A preliminary meet­ ing to decide on the plan was held yesterday by ranking members of the local bar. Don Gregorio was an outstanding member of the Phil­ ippine Bar, having been Solicitor General, Justice of the Su­ preme Court and Secretary of Finance and Justice. As a law practitioner, he had an excellent record and counted among his clientele the biggest and wealthiest firms in the Philip­ pines. He was the leading counsel for the Filipinos in the Board of Control controversy against the late Governor Gen­ eral Wood. Don Gregorio was born in Molo, Iloilo, April 19, 1868, the son of Don Felix Araneta and Doha Paz Soriano. He held many important positions in the three most recent periods of Philippine history. He was among other things, Secretary of Justice in the Aguinaldo cabinet. Out of respect to the memory of the deceased, the Su­ preme Court yesterday morning adjourned after the reading of the March calendar and the formation of two committees, one to take part in the funeral services and the other to draft the resolution of condolence which the court will ap­ prove. The first committee is composed of Chief Justice Avancena and Justices Villamor and Malcolm. The commit­ tee on resolution is composed of Justices Johnson, Johns and Romualdez. Letter of the Hon. Wm. H. Taft, then Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court to Salvador Araneta Washington, D.C. December 30. 1922 My dear Mr. Araneta: I have your letter of December 27th, and I am very glad to hear from you. I hope that your father and mother are in good health. I remember your father as the ablest lawyer in the Philippines, and I am glad to know that you are taking a graduate course in the Harvard Law School, because I am sure it will be of great value to you. I hope to see you before you leave the country. With best wishes for the New Year, believe me. Sincerely yours, (Sgd.) Wm. H. Taft Letter of the Hon. Wm. H. Taft to Don Gregorio October 18, 1927. My dear Friend Araneta: I have yours of September 16th. I haven’t yet received the volume of the Administrative Code commented and an­ notated by you, but I shall be glad to have it. The truth is we have cases enough to satisfy my frequent use of it, and when a Philippine case comes along, I usually take it. I still look back upon my Philippine life with intense interest, and cherish the friendships that I made there, but, as you say, many have gone before, and you are the one shining light in the present day world of Manila whom I would be delighted to meet and talk with. I sincerely hope that you and your Señora may come to the United States and to Washington. It would give me the greatest pleasure, as it would Mrs. Taft. I have now reached the dignity of three children and ten grandchildren. I have become seventy years of age. I have had a warning as to my health which makes my continuance in life dependent on great care and self-restraint, but I enjoy life. We have very hard work in the Supreme Court, as you can imagine, and I have to con­ serve my energies in order to pull my weight in the boat. But it is an absorbing and delightful occupation. I felicitate you on having three boys and that one of them is now with you in your work and that the others are on their way there. I shall be very glad to welcome both yours sons when they come here. It gives me the utmost pleasure to send you my picture. Indeed, I shall send you two—one of a period near the time when you knew me, and the other which indicates my pre­ sent occupation. I am grateful to you for sending me your books. Believe me, my dear Araneta, Very affectionately yours, (Sgd.) Wm. H. Taft Señor Don Gregorio Araneta, 28 Juan Luna Manila, P.I. P.S. I am delighted that you are giving your boys a course at Harvard. Put me at the feet of your Señora.

HERALD, March 12, 1930. Gregorio Araneta, founder of independent\ competent and honest judiciary By Hon. Miguel Cuenco1 On the eve of the resumption of the Gregorio Araneta Memorial Lectures on the proposed amendments to the Con­ stitution, which are being held up to April 19, 1970, to com­ memorate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Gregorio Araneta on April 19, 1869, a biography, albeit sketchy, of this foremost statesman is in order. He was born in Molo, a small suburb of Iloilo City, which rightly can be called the Athens of the Philippines, being the cradle of eminent jurists of our race: Four Justioes of the Supreme Court—Raymundo Melliza, Araneta, Avanceña and Feria (Felicisimo) and re­ nowned Judges—the Yusays, Soriano and De la Rama (Jose). Molo is for the Philippines what the small state of Virginia is for America—the birthplace of five Presidents of the United States—Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Wilson. It is impossible to encompass in a limited newspaper article the many traits of Araneta’s greatness. We cannot do more than to mention some of the out­ standing features of his personality, as one of the truly genuine builders of the Filipino nation. To serve our country without any hope of personal gain was the credo which he had followed consistently throughout his fruitful life. He was a young lawyer when our War of Independence against Spain broke out. He, together with Leon Maria Guer­ rero, Benito Legarda, Dr. Jose Albert and Jacinto Limjap, encouraged his friend, Felipe Calderon, a prominent law­ yer, to proceed to Cavite to render General Emilio Aguinaldo the necessary advice and counsel in view of the uncertainty of the terms and conditions of American collaboration and support to the Filipino revolutionary forces, who were then at the last stages of victory in the War of Independence against Spain, having practically taken control of the whole country, with the exception of Manila, which was still held by the Spaniards. When Calderon arrived in Cavite, Aguinal­ do had already a legal adviser, Apolinario Mabini, prompt­ ing Calderon not to stay long in Cavite and to return to Ma­ nila. When the Congress of Malolos convened to draft and 1 The Hon. Miguel Cuenco is a former Congressman of Cebu. promulgate the Constitution of the First Filipino Republic, the first democratic Constitution in Asia, Gregorio Araneta served as one of the Secretaries to the Congress. Upon the establishment of the American Military gov­ ernment, Araneta was appointed as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He did not stay long in the Highest Tribunal. He commanded a very deep respect for his intelligence, integrity and efficiency in the American government, that he was appointed as Solicitor General, the first Filipino Attorney General, member of the Philippine Legislative Commission and the first Filipino Secretary of Finance and Justice. Governor General Taft and the subse­ quent Governors General had entrusted to Araneta the task of selecting the best qualified Filipinos for the position of Judges of First Instance, Provincial Fiscals and Clerks of Court. Araneta summoned all his knowledge of the law, wis­ dom, diligence, integrity and patriotism to the task. He per­ formed this responsibility with success, dignity and honor. He grasped the philosophical speculations of political science as well as he understood the perversities of the human mind and the passions of the human heart. As President James Madison observes, the primary function of the government is simple—to administer justice to the people. And were all men just, courts of justice and prisons would not be neces­ sary. However, human nature is what it is, justice cannot be equallv dispensed to all, the poor and the rich, the weak and the influential alike, without fear or favor, the absolute im­ partiality, if judges, prosecuting attorneys, clerks of court, registers of deeds, sheriffs and all employees, who are in one way or another connected with the courts, were incompetent, inefficient and dishonest. Araneta enlisted the services to the judiciary of the best Filipino lawyers, among whom were Juan Sumulong, Manuel Araullo, Ramon Avanceha, Ignacio Villamor, Nor- berto Romualdez, Antonio Villareal, Isidro Paredes, Fran­ cisco Soriano, Jovito Yusay, Estanislao Yusay, Jose de la Rama, Julio Llorente, Miguel Logarta, Mariano Cui, Simpli- cio del Rosario, Luis P. Torres, Cayo Alzona, Sergio Osmeha, Manuel L. Quezon, Domingo Franco and others, whose names are shining stars in the constellation of illustrious Filipinos. Judge Guillermo B. Guevara speaks of the “nominees to the judiciary of the late Don Gregorio Araneta as men of strong mind and unimpeachable character, by and large fit to sit in any enlightened court of the world.” By all standards, Gre­ gorio Araneta can be considered as the founder of an inde­ pendent, competent and honest judiciary. Our nation, a grate­ ful nation, acknowledges the worth of his nominees. Praises of encomium were likewise showered on the Filipino Judi­ ciary of our colonial era, by the Americans, particularly President Taft, Governor General Harrison, and my Profes­ sor Felix Frankfurter, of the Harvard Law School, who later became Justice of the United States Supreme Court. When I was attending Yale Law School in the summer of the year 1925,1 saw with a sense of pride, a picture of Don Cayetano Arellano, the Chief Justice of our Supreme Court, displayed alongside the pictures of great American jurists and judges. Gregorio Araneta was an exemplary public official. In the 1922 elections, twenty-eight members of the Democrata Party were elected to the House of Representatives. A vic­ tory banquet was held in honor of the victorious democrata legislators and Araneta was invited as a special guest, so that the young opposition leaders might draw inspiration from Araneta as a model public official, to use the language of Don Juan Sumulong, the brains of the Opposition, and Don Gregorio’s friend and admirer. I had the privilege of having Don Gregorio as my Pro­ fessor of Contracts at the University of Santo Tomas in the academic year 1922-1923. I venture to express my humble assessment of his juristic philosophy. Justice is the keynote thought of his legal outlook. There was nothing of a dema­ gogue in him. “A man,” says Araneta, “must consider his duties, not only his rights.” He shares Cronin’s view in the latter’s book Science of Ethics, that in the exercise of a right we are not free to disregard the counterclaims of others. The right of one man to liberty in the use of his faculties, is limited by the right of another man to the same. He agrees with Benito Juarez, the President of Mexico, that “la paz es consecuencia del respeto a los derechos del projimo.” Juarez, a full-blooded Mexican Indian, ordered the execution of Maxi­ milian, a brother of Austria’s Emperor Franz Joseph, whom France Napoleon III tried to install as an Emperor in Mexico to put an end to a civil war in that Spanish speaking country. The revolutions led by Lenin, Ghandi and Mao Tsetung in Russia, India and China had grown out of the age-old problem of injustice, and its concomitant evils, oppression, tyranny and inequality. Similarly, most court litigations stem from injustice and the bastard children of injustice—bad faith and malice. Were Araneta alive today, he would fully subscribe to the following vital legal notion which Jorge Bocobo, a well-meaning Protestant jurist, introduced in our new Civil Code: Article 19. Every person must, in the exer­ cise of his rights and in the performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith. I have listened attentively to many lectures on Consti­ tutional reforms, but I have not heard anybody advocating the insertion in the Constitution of a provision admonishing every person to act with justice, honesty and good faith in his dealings with his fellowmen, government and society. I earnestly recommend that Article 19 of the new Civil Code be adopted in the new Constitution, by the future Constitu­ tional Convention. It is true that justice lies at the struc­ tural foundation of the Philippine Republic. The present Constitution prescribes that the government to be established thereunder shall secure,—not merely grant,—to our people a regime of justice, liberty and democracy. But again, with­ out an independent, competent and honest judiciary, of the kind Gregorio Araneta had established, the constitutional prescriptions will remain meaningless words, and not living thoughts and actual positive realities. Don Ramon Ampuero, the Secretary of the University of Santo Tomas, told me that as a law student of the same University, Araneta memorized word for word, all the articles of the Spanish Civil Code. Memory plays an important role in the legal profession. It is necessary to know the text of the legal provisions, which are pertinent in any law suit. Many errors committed by judges and lawyers are the result of their disregard or ignorance of the text of the law itself. Araneta also made it a point that his class understand the reason behind any legal provision. Due to a misconception of the juridical nature of the properties of the spouses, I lost a case. In the proceeding of the Estate of the deceased Carlos Salvador, Clerk of the Court of First Instance of Cebu, the American presiding Judge of the Court of First Instance of Cebu, the last American judge we had in my province, de­ cided that the retirement pay of the aforesaid Clerk of Court, was his capital property (bien privative), contrary to my thesis as counsel for the widow, that it was conjugal. The Supreme Court, then with a majority of American Justices, rendered a decision, which was also penned by an American Justice, upholding the trial court. However, subsequently and shortly before the last World War, the Supreme Court, with full Filipino membership, reversed its doctrine in the Salva­ dor case and held that the retirement pay of a public official is a conjugal property. Araneta vividly, lucidly and exhaustively explained to his students the meaning of the law. There was no need to ask anything, for no important aspect or point was omitted. Every sentence he uttered in the classroom was progressive. Every idea shed light on the subject. In the very few in­ stances where the significance of the law posed a difficult question of statutory construction, he made us, his students, read the commentaries of the acknowledge interpreters of the law. Manresa and Muscius Scaevola give their interpreta­ tions of Article 1256 of the old Civil Code, now Article 1308 of the new Civil Code, which ordains: “The contract must bind both contracting parties; its' validity or compliance can­ not be left to the will of one of them.” We agreed to Arane- ta’s view that Scaevola’s opinion is logical and in consonance with the general philosophy of the Civil Code. He made us read the text itself, not the syllabus of the decisions of the Supreme Court, which have a bearing on the course he was teaching. Court decisions must not be taken and accepted with dogmatic finality. They must be distilled through the filter of analysis, and in some contro­ versial decisions, he sided with the dissenting opinion and explained the reasons therefor. Araneta has given the directions of jurisprudence. For him, the law is an organic system. Many legal provisions should be applied in relation to others, not detached from them. Thus, the dictates on obligations have a bearing on those referring to contracts. Courts, law schools and legal practitioners nowadays little realize that the set of provi­ sions on the chapter on human relations in the new Civil Code, are substantial innovations on the Law of Torts and practically on all branches of the science of law. They pro­ vide for new causes of judicial action for damages and/or increase the damages to which an individual is entitled to. The prevailing method of teaching at our law schools today is not conducive to the comprehension of the law as an or­ ganic system. Sales, Agency, Partnership, Bailments and Car­ riers, and Torts and Damages, etcetera, are taught as sepa­ rate courses, whereas under Araneta’s method, which was also the method followed by Chief Justice Arellano and Don Francisco Ortigas (who predeceased him as eminent profes­ sors of Civil Law at the University of Santo Tomas) the fore­ going separate contracts were all taught as part and parcel of one single course, Obligations and Contracts. The conse­ quences of both methods are self-evident. The knowledge of today’s students of the law is fragmentary, superficial and diffused, whereas that of the students under the old method is integrated, with a better grasp of the basic and essential principles of the law. The modern law student studies more and more iust to learn less and less. With all his vast knowledge, Araneta was, nevertheless, a perennial and tireless student of the law. But he realized that humility is necessary for man’s advancement in any intellectual pursuit. “La humildad eslamisma verdad,” ob­ serves Santa Teresa de Jesus, an exquisite poetess and a pro­ found thinker in her own right. Instead of going home to Cebu, I remained in Manila, awaiting the result of the bar examinations, which I took in August, 1923. I went to visit J. Antonio Araneta, son of Don Gregorio, at the family’s res­ idence, at Calle de R. Hidalgo, Numero 1030, to get a letter that his elder brother Salvador sent me from Europe. A mes­ senger of Don Gregorio surprisingly told me that Don Gre­ gorio wished to see me at his Office located in the same house. My beloved professor received me with deference. After courteously requesting me to sit down, he asked me to read Articles 51, 57 and 61 of the Code of Commerce. Thereupon, he asked me how could I reconcile the three afore­ said articles. Article 61 prohibits the granting of days of grace in commercial contracts, whereas according to the other two above-cited articles, stipulations granting days of grace, are valid. With all humility and respect, I told Don Gregorio that I could not answer his question. In turn, I asked him whether he could, and with all candor he replied that he could not answer either. I was only 18 years old, with an insignificant knowledge of the law, compared to Don Gregorio’s immensely superior erudition and scholarship. Science can advance more if everybody acknowledges his limitations. And this requires humility, sincere humility. The most far-reaching power is not of money, it is the command of ideas. Don Gregorio bequeathed to his children a priceless tradition of service to God and country. Salvador is an educator, economist, industrialist, constitutionalist, writer, social and civic leader. He is performing a yeoman’s work in researching, studying, expounding and lecturing on constitutional problems and reforms. Francisco, a Jesuit priest, is an educator and a prolific writer on social problems. J. Antonio is a financier, a nationalist leader and out­ standing member of the Civil Liberties Union. Vicente is an economist and pioneer in scientific farming. Luis is an archi­ tect. He designed the Makati Medical Center, the most mo­ dern hospital in the Philippines and, probably, in the whole Asia. The late two Araneta brothers—Jose and Ramon are the Filipino pioneers in estate subdivisions. They helped President Quezon and Don Alejandro Roces Sr. create out of the wilderness the postwar modern Quezon City. Two of the Araneta sisters, the late Consuelo, and Rosita Araneta Al- cuaz, are prominent figures in Catholic social action. The Aranetas took time in helping the poor. Salvador and his wife, Doha Victoria, established the White Cross to take care of the children of the poor parents afflicted with the white plague. From the Aranetas continuously come vital ideas which will help shape the destinies of our nation, create a better society, improve our government, accelerate our national eco­ nomic independence, and bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. Don Gregorio Araneta and Doña Carmen Zaragoza y Roxas a few years after their marriage, In one of his rare, relaxed moments, Don Gregorio flashes a smile in this vacation photo in Baguio City with his wife Doha Carmen in the late 1920s. At the background may be seen the Araneta Cottage. Spanish Articles

HALLO SU GUSTO EN LA LEY DEL SEÑOR Eulogio del Exmo. Guillermo Piani, Delegado Apostolico

Habiéndoseme pedido que dedicara un recuerdo a la me­ moria del llorado señor Don Gregorio Araneta, pense que no podia hacerlo mejor que trascribiendo el elogio que del varón justo hace el Libro de los Salmos. “¡Feliz quien no se deja guiar por consejo de hombres malos ni se detiene en el camino de los pecadores, ni • en la cátedra de los impios toma asiento: sino que halla su gusto en la Ley del Señor y la medita dia y noche! “Sera como el árbol plantado cabe las aguas corrientes que da su fruto en su debido tiempo. ‘No caen sus hojas y tienen éxito feliz todas sus obras... Conoce Dios el camino de los justos.” (Salmo 1.) Descanse en paz el buen amigo y el noble discípulo de Cristo! PERDIDA ENORME PARA LA ACCION CATOLICA La Defensa, Marzo 10, 1930.

Acabábamos de escribir las lineas dedicadas al falleci­ miento del Presidente Taft, haciendo notar que al duelo que ahora embarga al pueblo norteamericano, se asocian induda­ blemente los filipinos, cuando la noticia de la muerte de un amigo personal de aquel e ilustre también como el, nos llena­ ba del mas sincero dolor, como filipinos y como católicos. El ilustre D. Gregorio Araneta acababa de abandonar esta vida y esto no podia menos de dolemos como habia de doler también a todos los filipinos en general, y en particular a cuantos con su amistad se honraron. Y es que la muerte de D. Gregorio constituye indudablemente una perdida enorme para nuestro pueblo y para la acción social católica en la que tan grande y tan intensa labor realizo. Basta recordar los muchos e importantes cargos públicos que desempeño tanto durante la época revolucionaria como luego, en la nueva ad­ ministración, para tener idea de la magnitud de los servicios meritorios que presto a su pais, dando al mismo tiempo mues­ tras de las singulares dotes intelectuales y morales que le adornaban, principalmente como abogado y jurista y como católico sincero y practico. Su memoria indudablemente que ha de perdurar y su vida se mostrara siempre a los que le sobrevivimos, como un ejemplo altisimo de laboriosidad, de servicio publico, de hon­ radez acrisolada y, sobre todo, de firmeza en sus convicciones católicas, de las que no solo no se avergonzaba, sino que daba pruebas de ellas con una piedad sincera y con su activa y continua participación en todas las empresas católicas a la que era invitado por las legitimas autoridades eclesiásticas, quienes sabían que el estaba pronto a prestar su mas deci­ dida colaboración y sus inapreciables y eficaces servicios. Fue D. Gregorio Araneta, en suma, viviente ejemplo de cato­ licismo y patriotismo. El recuerdo de sus muchos méritos servirá sin duda de lenitivo al dolor inmenso que ahora embarga a su piadosa y distinguida familia, dolor que todos compartimos. La Divina Bondad haya dado ya a su alma el eterno descanso en las salas de la gloria. UN HISTORIAL INMACULADO Editorial de El Tiempo, de Iloilo, Marzo 12, 1930.

Acaban de fallecer, casi al mismo tiempo, dos persona­ jes ilustres, cuyos nombres ocupan y ocuparan un lugar pro­ minente en la historia de nuestro pais: El presidente Howard H. Taft, y el ex-comisionado, ex-fiscal general y ex-secretario de hacienda y justicia Gregorio Araneta. Las ejecutorias de los dos, en; lo: que se relaciona con el gobierno de Filipinas, tienen muchos puntos de contacto, si bien D, Gregorio, aparte de los servicios que prestara durante el regimen americano, ya habia hecho muchos y muy valiosos antes y durante nuestras luchas libertarias. Por esta razón, la muerte de ambos constituye una irreparable perdida, tanto para America como para Filipinas, puesto a ambos se han debido en gran parte las cordiales relaciones, nunca tur­ badas, de ambos países, merced; a las cuales se ha hecho posible la realización de ríos altruistas propósitos del pri­ mero y del progreso que actualmente disfruta el ultimo. Los dos, Araneta y Taft, que en vida fueron muy buenos amigos, han muerto dejándonos una herencia de inaprecia­ ble valor: El primero, su historial inmaculado como político, como funcionario y como patriota, y el ultimo aquello de “Filipinas para los Filipinos” que hasta ahora utilizamos como egida contra las acometidas de los que, como Mclntyre, dicen que Filipinas ha sido comprada para el beneficio del pueblo americano. IDescansen en paz! TAFT Y ARANETA Editorial de El Debate, Marzo 11, 1930.

Dos hombres, grandes e ilustres desde el punto de vista de los filipinos, acaban de pasar, casi simultáneamente, al mundo del no ser. La materia que alentaron tan selectos espíritus pronto se tornara en polvo. Pero su paso por la tierra ha dejado un claro y hondo surco, y su obra, que busco por base la paz y la inteligencia entre los pueblos que por azares del destino empezaban a vivir en intimo contacto, ha rendido y continua rindiendo benéficos frutos materiales y espirituales. Quizas sea temprano formular por ahora un juicio com­ pleto de la labor del primer gobierno civil instituido por America en Filipinas, a cuya cabeza se coloco, Mr. Taft. Pero si tuvo éxitos dicho gobierno en su actuación, debiéronse sin duda en no poco grado a que en el pais se encontraron ele­ mentos perfectamente preparados para asumir deberes y res­ ponsabilidades de gobierno, tanto mas graves y difíciles cuan­ to que tenian que moverse en un periodo de transición y de reajuste. Y de entre esos elementos destacóse con vigorosos relieves la gran figura de D. Gregorio Araneta, Comisionado de Hacienda y Justicia, preclaro talento y persona de atra­ yentes cualidades. Taft y Araneta son nombres que se pronunciaran con profundo respeto, agradecimiento y veneración en Filipinas por generaciones. El primero acuño la frase inmortal de “Filipinas para los Filipinos,” cuya idea esta llamada a pre­ dominar, en mas amplio sentido, en el Extremo Oriente. El segundo descuella entre los ilustres filipinos que hicieron posible la magna tarea de reconstrucción nacional. !Dios les acoja en su gloria! PUSO A GRAN ALTURA LA CAPACIDAD DEL FILIPINO Oración leída por Don Ignacio Villamor en la sesión necrológica celebrada en la Univ. de Sto. Tomas, 18 Marzo, 1930. La Opinión, Marzo 22, 1930.

Acaba de bajar a la tumba un hombre eminente por sus elevados ideales, un patriota insigne por los revelantes servi­ cios que presto a su pais, un ciudadano ilustre por los altos ejemplos de virtud, honradez y moralidad que lego a sus com­ patriotas, un amigo sincero a quien llamábamos D. Gregorio Araneta. Su inesperada muerte no solo ha sumido a su fami­ lia y a sus amigos en la mas intensa de las aflicciones, sino que ha causado al Colegio de abogados en particular y a todo el pais en general una inmensa perdida. Desde hace cerca de medio siglo, o para decirlo mas exactamente, desde 1884 he conocido a D. Greogrio, y durante muchos años de asocia­ ción fraternal, he venido observando las múltiples manifes­ taciones de su actividad en las diferentes épocas de su vida. Lo mas admirable en aquel hombre fue su infatigable labo­ riosidad, su perseverancia en el trabajo, el gran poder de su voluntad, y su inquebrantable fe en el éxito de sus empresas. Siendo alumno del curso preparatorio de la facultad de Derecho de esta venerable y nunca bien ponderada Universi­ dad de Sto. Tomas, D. Gregorio ha demostrado una inteli­ gencia privilegiada y una aplicación extraordinaria al estu­ dio de la Metafísica. En un debate publico sostuvo conclu­ siones sobre la teoria darwiniana, y, en el certamen celebrado en la Universidad en 1884 con motivo de la promoción a Car­ denal del gran filosofo P. Ceferino Gonzales, obtuvo el primer premio de Filosofía su disertación titulada “El trasformismo darwiniano.” Este premio bien merecido le abrió las puertas del éxito. Dedicado completamente al estudio, fue la admiración de sus profesores y orgullo de sus condiscípulos. No seria aventurado decir que por su talento descolló de entre los bri­ llantes alumnos de su promoción. Discípulo estudioso y ani­ mado de grandes entusiasmos, emulo en ciencia y virtud a su maestro, el inimitable Profesor de Derecho, Sr. D. Cayetano Arellano. Los triunfos obtenidos durante la carrera sirviéronle de base solida en el ejercito de la nobre profesión de abogado. Sus hábitos de trabajo y su perseverancia en el estudio de los asuntos judiciales a el encomendados constituyen el secreto de sus triunfos. Amante de la palabra culta y elocuente, estudio con ahinco la literatura española, y en el ejercicio de su profesión demostró sus excepcionales dotes de insigne orador no solo en el Foro sino también en la Tribuna. En jus­ ticia a sus méritos fue reconocido indiscutiblemente como uno de los mas afamados jurisconsultos de su tiempo. En la efimera república filipina D. Gregorio contribuyo con sus conocimientos a la formación del gobierno, desempe­ ñando siquiera por corto tiempo la Secretaria de Justicia. Al cambio de la soberania en estas Islas, el Gobierno americano reconoció en el un valioso elemento para la orga­ nización del nuevo Gobierno, y lo honro, mereciéndolo sin duda, con el cargo de Magistrado del Tribunal Supremo du­ rante el regimen militar, y mas tarde con los de Procurador General y Secretario de Hacienda y Justicia. En estos pues­ tos de responsabilidad, D. Gregorio ha puesto a gran altura la capacidad del filipino en el manejo de los negocios del go­ bierno, mediante su infatigable laboriosidad, su arraigada devoción al estudio y su exactitud en el cumplimiento de sus deberes. Asitia a su oficina con puntualidad cronométrica para estudiar y resolver las cuestiones que se sometian a su resolución. El estudio e interpretación de las nuevas leyes administrativas eran su constante preocupación. Sus opinio­ nes y consejos eran solicitados, y sus resoluciones, acatadas en los varios departamentos del gobierno. Cuando D. Gregorio creyó haber terminado su trabajo, al servicio del gobierno y de su pueblo, dimitió del cargo de Secretario de Hacienda y Justicia sin que lo pesara ningún remordimiento, antes al contrario, con la conciencia tran­ quila del deber cumplido. Pudo haberse retirado a la vida privada lejos de todo bullicio, pero llevado de su carácter forjado al yunque del trabajo, no podia transigir con el completo sosiego, y asi desplegando una vez mas sus aptitudes juridicas, abrió su bufete con tan redoblado empeño, que bien pronto consiguió ponerlo a la altura de los mas renombrados bufetes de Ma­ nila. Su fama de distinguido jurisconsulto de consuno con su creciente devoción al deber sirviéronle de capital repro­ ductivo que le rendia cuantiosos intereses que el quizas no soñara. En el ejercicio de su profesión de abogado, D. Gregorio obtuvo grandes triunfos. En dos asuntos, el de Molina y el de Sarasela, el Tribunal Supremo habia ya dictado sentencias desfavorables a sus clientes, pero, gracias a los brillantes informes que produjo ante el Tribunal cuando dichos asuntos fueron vistos de nuevo, D. Gregorio consiguió que se cam­ biaran las primeras sentencias y su dictaran otras a favor de sus representados. El valor de estos triunfos se podra aquilatar mejor teniendo en cuenta que el Tribunal Supremo én rarísimos casos ha cambiado de opínioñ. En el orden especulativo, D. Gregorio Araneta dio prue­ bas de su asombrosa actividad. En 1927 publico dos impor­ tantes libros de derecho titulados “The Administrative Code with comments and annotations” y “The Insolvency Law, annotated and commented,” este ultimo en colaboración con su hijo D. Salvador Araneta. Ambos libros son de gran utili­ dad para los funcionarios administrativos, para los abogados y para los hombres de negocio. Por varios años tuvo a su cargo la cátedra de Derecho civil en la Universidad de Sto. Tomas, y en 1928 pronuncio el discurso inaugural de aquel año disertando sobre “El Carácter”, trabajo magistral que contiene saludables enseñanzas a la juventud filipina. No obstante el gran numero de asuntos judiciales que se encomendaban a su bufete, parecían, sin embargo, ser insufi cientes para calmar su extraordinaria actividad. Lanzóse en­ tonces al campo de los negocios y allí es donde pudo probar aquello de “Audaces fortuna juvat.” La suerte le acompaño en sus empresas y en pocos años pudo reunir una fortuna considerable que al tiempo de su muerte se calculaba en cerca de dos millones de pesos. Su genio financiero se desenvolvió al par que su talento jurídico. Atendía sus negocios con toda solicitud, y estaba inspeccionando una hacienda recientemen­ te adquirida en Novaliches cuando cayo en la brecha con la confianza del soldado romano que fue hallado en Pompeya muerto en su puesto de centinela durante el enterramiento de la ciudad bajo las cenizas del Vesuvio. Pero D. Gregorio no cifro su dicha en la acumulación de bienes terrenales; su laboriosidad se extendía a la constante practica de las virtudes cristianas y a la ejecución de actos de piedad que aseguran la posesión y goce de una felicidad eterna. Criado y educado en el seno de la Santa Iglesia roma­ na, fue un ferviente católico y exacto cumplidor de sus de­ beres religiosos. Ni los alhagos de la fortuna, ni las consi­ deraciones sociales pudieron entibiar su fe en Dios y su espe­ ranza en la vida eterna. Ni las exigencias de su profesión ni los apremios de sus negocios pudieron impedirle el cumpli­ miento de sus deberes para con Dios. Los negocios de su alma constituían su primera atención. Oia misa todos los dias y diariamente recibía la sagrada comunión para purificar su espíritu con los dones de la gracia de Dios. Modelo de padres de familia, D. Gregorio fundo su hogar sobre la roca inconmovible de las virtudes cristianas, moldeo los corazones de sus trece hijos con la sana educación mo­ ral e inspiro sus inteligencias con el santo temor de Dios, compartiendo con el en esta labor una virtuosa dama, su es­ posa y hoy viuda, Da. Carmen Zaragoza, perteneciente a la nobilísima estirpe de Sta. Teresa de Jesús. Bienaventurado el hombre que puede descansar de las fatigas de esta vida mortal con la confianza de haber satis­ fecho cumplidamente sus deberes para con Dios, para con su patria y para con su familia! Dichoso aquel que, al empren­ der el viaje para la eternidad, deja en pos de si una estela luminosa que alumbrara el camino de futuras generaciones! UN DECHADO DE VIRTUD Y FORTALEZA Oración Fúnebre en la Iglesia Catedral de Manila por el Rev. P. Juan Goll, S.J., el dia 20 de Marzo de 1930. “Et iste quidem hoc modo decessit, non solum juvenibus, sed et universi genti memoriam mortis suae ad exemplum virtutis et fo/r- titudinis derelinquens." De esta manera murió pues, dejando no solamente a los jovenes sino también a toda la nación en la memoria de su muerte un de­ chado de virtud y de fortaleza. II Mac. VT 31

Excmo. Sr. Delegado de su Santidad Excmo. Sr. Arzobispo de Manila limo, y Rmo. Señor (1) Rmo. P. Abad de Benedictinos limos. Monseñores (2) Amadisimos Hermanos Acatemos sumisos los secretos designios de Dios. Cuan­ do espiritu religioso de nuestro Pais mas necesita la activi­ dad de los buenos católicos y el calor de sus relevantes ejem­ plos: cuando el espiritu patriótico con mayor urgencia de­ manda la serenidad de animo y la rectitud de miras: y a todos los hombres de buena voluntad y recto sentir dan voces y llaman los vinculos sociales cuyo oficio es mantener unidos y estrechamente apretados los elementos de la sociedad; la Providencia Divina acaba de privarnos de un católico prac­ tico, fervoroso y activo, cuya religiosidad y alto ejemplo era estimulo de muchos y edificación de todos: de un ilustre pa­ tricio que nunca midió su deber por el proprio interes sino por el bien y prosperidad de la Patria: de un Esposo cuya mejor alabanza son las lagrimas, amargas si y caldeadas por el fuego del amor, pero resignadas asimismo y suaves, de una Esposa amantisima; de un Padre, cuyos rasgos ani- micos, tan bien como los fisonomicos, quedan exactamente reproducidos en bella corona de hijos; de un ciudadano, en fin, que perfectamente consciente de su deber y dócil a la voz de la Religión y de la Patria, bien que abrumado con la dirección de asuntos gravísimos, de un despacho concurri­ dísimo y de Empresas altísimas, hallo siempre tiempo para aquellos intereses cuya defensa depende tan solo de la rec­ titud de la causa, de la generosidad y del celo de quien la patrocina. D. Gregorio Araneta y Soriano ha descendido al sepul­ cro en hora por todos inesperada, excepto solo por el, que Acostumbrado a mirar a la muerte cara a cara, había apren­ dido a prepararse de antemano para ella. Cuando ese cabal­ lero de frente serena y franca mirada recorría nuestras calles o acudía a los centros a donde le llamaba su incansable acti­ vidad su continente grave y decidido, mezcla de dignidad suave y de afable cortesía, atraía fácilmente el respeto y la veneración de todos. Nadie ignora, de otra parte, cuan jus­ tamente los merecía. Dos palabras pues tan solo sobre tema ya conocido y desarrollado en la prensa. Cuando el ultimo de los capitanes macabeos, victorioso en cien combates, restablecido ya y sólidamente afirmado el culto de Dios y el honor de la Patria, presintiendo que llegaba su fin, juzgo conveniente dar alguna razón de si, tuvo a su pueblo conmovido este vigoroso lenguaje: “Vosotros no ignoráis, decía, lo que mis hermanos y yo y toda la casa de mi padre hemos hecho y padecido por las leyes y por los santos, las batallas que hemos dado, las angustias que hemos sufrido. Solo he quedado de todos los mios, empero no me acontezca jamas abandonar nuestra causa mientras durare la prueba.” Sera audacia reprensible, católicos oyentes, recordar estes palabras en las actuales circunstancias? No es acaso el honor de Dios y el nombre venerando de una Patria amada eminentemente católica, no es la conservación de la fe ver­ dadera y la libertad de la Iglesia la santidad de sus leyes y el esplendor de sus templos, no es la pureza de vida y la san­ tidad antigua de las costumbres la causa, gloriosa entre las mas gloriosas y santa entre las que mas pueden serlo, a la que de varios años a esta parte viene consagrando actividad y energías nombres que Filipinas pronuncia con intimo sen­ timiento de gratitud y de veneración como adalides infati­ gables de su bien y prosperidad, personificación genuina de la raza, encarnación del alma filipina? No pretendo establecer entre el ilustre finado y el capi­ tán macabeo un paralelo completo, que podría no obstante, sostenerse en muchos extremos; pero, quien ignora que si el guerrero israelita consagraba a la causa de Dios y de su Pueblo una energía de carácter capaz de sostenerle solo en la lucha mientras duro el tiempo de prueba, de nuestro ilustre patricio ha de decirse que alistado desde los años juveniles en las fuerzas activas de su Pueblo ha luchado mientras le ha durado la preciosa vida? que jamas supo anteponer el reposo a la común necesidad? que no conocio actividad pa­ triótica de buena ley a la cual no prestase su apoyo por lo menos, su cooperación muchas veces, su inteligente energía no pocas? Ah! De almas generosas y grandes es promover el bien donde quiera que lo alcanzan, medir su párte de actividad, no no tanto por lo que de ellas se pide, cuanto por lo que ellas mismas generosamente ofrecen. A éste numero pertenecía el alma de D. Gregorio. Eran para el Pais dias de relativa bonanza. Implantado ya el regimen actual, en cuya vasta preparación jurídica el jurisconsulto eminente había dado la prueba mas gallarda de privilegiado talento: terminada en la Comisión Civil una actuación que siempre sera calificada de extraordinaria y sobresaliente, porque extraordinaria y sobresaliente había de ser para ser acertada en las difíciles circunstancias de aquellos dias: dejado ya el gobierno y vuel­ to el Sr. Araneta a la vida mas sosegada del abogado, del hombre de empresa y del ciudadano universalmente admi­ rado y sinceramente querido; cuando la Comisión dé Inde­ pendencia busco entre las personas mas influyentes los miem­ bros de la Junta Consultiva, el nombre de D. Gregorio Ara- neta sono entre los primeros con aplauso general. No figu­ raba entonces el elegido en la política activa del Pais, pero respondió que si el Pais le necesitaba, dispuesto estaba siem­ pre a servirle. A.H.M. No lo pensaba seguramente D. Gregorio, pero en tan noble respuesta nos dejaba el retrato de su alma. Rasgo característico de ella, varonil e inconfundible, fue el que nos ocupa, su constante amor a la legalidad. Perfecto conocedor de lo que debía al Pais que le vio nacer, juris­ consulto integrrimo y eminente y ciudadano ejemplar, cuya vasta preparación científica había labrado en gran parte la legalidad de Filipinas, llamado ahora a apoyar esa misma legalidad por medios asimismo legales, no podía desmentirse a si mismo. El que joven todavía merced a una habilidad jurídica nada común, lá había ya sostenido aconsejando como hombre de leyes a los hombres de armas; el que en Set. de 1898 merecía un puesto de honor en la Asamblea Nacional y en Nov. del mismo año era designado miembro de la Comi­ sión Filipina; el que en el Gobierno Filipino había tenido a su cargo la Secretaria de Justicia primero y la Secretaria General no mucho después; el que cuando de otro modo no pudo sirvió todavía a su Patria cooperando al restablecimien­ to de la paz y del orden y a la implantación de un sistema judicial eficiente. Procurador General en 1900 y Fiscal Gene­ ral cinco años mas tarde, Secretario finalmente de Hacienda y Justicia desde 1907 a 1913, en que dimite su cargo; el patri­ cio abnegado que había consagrado a la Patria los, mejores años de su laboriosa existencia, pudiendo por consiguiente alegar perfecto derecho al reposo de una vida dedicada tan solo a la propia familia; ese hombre, requerido, M.A.H., que no entrometido ni ambicioso, se consagra de nuevo a los ideales mas caros de su cara Patria. Que extraño ha de ser que su dictamen, sólidamente razonado siempre y clarisi- mámente expuesto, sin las ambigüedades del equivoco ni las concesiones de la debilidad, fuerza luz clarísima de las deli­ beraciones, norma segura de los acuerdos? Rara vez acontece, M.A.H., que hombres de grande in­ teligencia sean asimismo de gran corazón. D. Gregorio fue excepción de esta ley. Yo podría aducir como prueba hechos numerosos; la caridad practicada en el ejercicio de su pro­ fesión, defendiendo por puro amor del Señor la causa del pupilo, de la viuda y del pobre, caridad hermosísima; la ca­ ridad practicada en el seno de asociaciones destinadas al re­ medio de las miserias humanas, morales o materiales, cari­ dad mucho mas hermosa a las veces; y la hermosísima entre todas, la caridad practicada en la presencia de Dios y sin tes­ tigos. Pero como revelar lo que su delicada modestia quiso siempre ocultar? De otra parte bastarían acaso todos los ejemplos para darnos la medida de su gran corazón? Ah! No! Donde mejor se conoce su corazón (quien lo diría en nuestros dias?) es en el seno de la familia. Largas veladas de los dias festivos, vosotros podríais hablar mucho mejor que yo: cuando lejos del bullicio y afan de los negocios temporales, el padre y el esposo olvidaba por algunas horas las graves atenciones de su actividad para darse a los suyos en las dulces expansiones de la vida de familia y formar el corazón de los seres de que Dios le rodeo: vosotros pudisteis con toda exactitud medir lo grande de su nobilísimo de su hermosísimo corazón. Un rasgo: D. Grego­ rio, que era puntualísimo en comunicar a los suyos lo que podía alegrarles, siempre les oculto con caritativa diligencia lo que a su juicio había de causarles alguna pena. Si ahora me pidierais, M.A.H., definir de alguna manera a nuestro inolvidable patricio, yo no hallaría seguramente mas expedito recurso que el de aplicarle la definición del ca­ ballero visto por San Juan en el Apocalipsis: Vocabatur Fide- lis et Verax, llamábase Fiel y Veraz. Fiel a todos su deberes, veraz en todas sus relaciones. Pero si de esa fidelidad y de esa veracidad me pidierais la raiz mas profunda, yo habría de buscarla en su profunda religiosidad. D. Gregorio Ara- neta fue perfectisimo modelo de fidelidad y de veracidad porque fue ante todo fiel y veraz en su fe religiosa. Mas aun: la noble figura de D. Gregorio Araneta se ofrece hoy a nues­ tros ojos como una de las mas altas y mas puras glorias fili­ pinas porque fue ante todo y sobre todo una gloria de la Iglesia Católica, Apostólica, Romana, en cuyo seno nació y se educo, cuyas enseñanzas cuidadosamente admitió y en­ seño, cuyas leyes religiosamente observo y en cuyo osculo de paz entrego su alma al Criador. Si, repitámoslo una vez mas para que llegue a oidos de todos, de aquellos principal­ mente que rebeldes a la autoridad de la Iglesia pretenden el monopolio exclusivo del patriotismo, como si la Patria de­ biera constar de solos rebeldes: nuestro gran patriota fue primero y ante todo un gran católico. Nacido de padres de arraigada fe, de ellos heredo los principios, sanos y vigoro­ sos, que andando el tiempo debian producir los frutos que hoy nos admiran. Después honra fue, honra meritisima e imperecedera, del Ateneo de Manila y de la por muchos tí­ tulos ilustre Universidad de Santo Tomas haber desarrollado esos germenes hasta la perfecta sazón que tan fecundos los ha hecho. El acto supremo del culto católico es el Santo Sacrificio de la Misa. D. Gregorio Araneta asistia al santo sacrificio todos los dias. La vida cristiana se nutre del Pan bajado del cielo, se ejercita y robustece con la practica de la virtud. D. Gregorio Araneta comulgaba cada dia. Quien no le ha visto en nuestras iglesias en la actitud reverente y modesta del mas sencillo creyente? Y quien, al verle sobrecogido de extraordinario respeto ante el Dios de la Eucaristía, no pen­ sara que a los ojos de su viva fe estaba presente lo que solo los ojos de la fe alcanzan a ver? Siempre me acordare: era el jueves, 6 del mes que corre todavia. Vispera de Primer Viernes, D. Gregorio, que era Vice-Presidente del Apostolado de la Oración y devotísimo del Corazón Divino, acudia al confesonario, según antigua costumbre suya, a purificar su alma; el dia siguiente comul­ gaba por la mañana y acompañaba al Señor por la tarde en la solemne Reserva. El sabado comulgaba de nuevo, em­ pleando largo tiempo en la acción de gracias. Era el dia señalado en los designios del Corazón de Jesús para pre­ miarle. Y para premiarle el Corazón Divino se servia de su Madre Santísima, cuyo congregante y cofrade del Santo Ro­ sario era también el fervoroso caballero disponiendo que en dia consagrado a Maria, con los sentimientos de la confianza en Maria mas filial y mas tierna, contrajera le enfermedad que en breve debia llevarle al sepulcro, y por manos de Maria fuera presentado ál Corazón de Jesús. Ah! Sea un dia nuestra muerte esa muerte del justo, sea nuestro fin semejante a ese fin. Moriatur anima mea morte justorum, et fiant novissima mea horum similia! CULTURA SOCIAL UN PATRIOTA SIN RUIDO Y OSTENTACION Editorial, La Vanguardia, Marzo 10, 1930.

Un ilustre filipino de la vieja estirpe, de recia constitu­ ción moral y física, con el blasón de un conservatismo de los mas sanos y equilibrados, acaba de rendir su tributo a la Gran Piadosa. Don Gregorio Araneta era una figura nacional, no solo por su claró talento, sino por los grandes y meritorios ser­ vicios que presto en vida a su pais. En la época de la sobe­ ranía hispana, fué el primero que protesto contra los abusos de la famosa Guardia Civil Veterana, cuando fue átropellado inicuamente por un cabo de esta institución. Ese suceso re­ percutió en el corazón de los jovénés estudiantes de aquel tiempo, qué también eran atropellados por la Veterana por cualquier motivo, como una protesta digna y enérgica del sentimiento de justicia y dignida de los filipinos, Don Gre­ gorio, que entonces ya se distinguía como joven juriscon­ sulto, fue por esó el instrumento providencial tara que la institución de la Guardia Civil sufriera üná tremenda sacu­ dida y se reprimiesen un poco sus abusos. Al caer la soberanía de España en Filipinas, Don Grego­ rio corrio á ofrecer sus servicios al gobierno de la república filipina, y fue designado Secretario de Justicia y Miembro deí Congréso de Malolós, ayudando con sus consejos a man­ tener la organización de nuestro gobierno en aquellos dias azarosos é intranquilos. Una vez establecida la paz en todo el Archipiélago, y cuando Estados Unidos invito a los fili­ pinos á qué colaboraran con su gobierno én el establecimiento de las instituciones libres y progresivas en^ nuestro pais, Don Gregorio nó regateó su apoyo, y desempeño varios pues­ tos importantes én nuestro gobierno, dé Procurador General, de Fiscal General, y luego Secretario dé Hacienda, demos­ trando con sus indiscutibles méritos, y su honradez sobre todo, la capacidad dé los hijos de este pueblo para el desem­ peño de los más altos cargos y el 'cumplimiento de sus de­ beres dentro del “self-government.” No solo fue un gran abogado, y un patriota sin ruido ni ostentación, sino támbién un espíritu versátil, apto para los negocios, un verdadero ele­ mento impulsor del progreso económico de su pais Se cuenta de el que cuando fue cogido en sus negocios e inversiones por aquella crisis tremenda que vino después de la guerra, Don Gregorio, para demostrar el temple de su alma, y el concepto tradicional que tenia del honor, trabajo duramente sin desmayo para reparar todas las perdidas que aquella crisis había ocasionado a sus ^intereses. Como padre de familia era modelo por sus virtudes. Hombre de mucha fe en Dios ocultaba dentro de su figura al parecer altiva un alma verdaderamente creyente y cristiana. Don Gregorio Araneta es un nombre prestigioso de la raza, un ciudadano eminente que supo honrar a su pais con gran honor. APOSTOL DE UN PUEBLO, DE UNA RAZA Editorial, La Opinión, Marzo 22, 1930.

Don Gregorio Araneta ha muerto! Murió en los dias mas criticos de nuestra historia, en el periodo mas peligroso de nuestra evolución social; cuando a la accesión constante de los módulos extraños, necesitábamos oponer como dique incomovible el conservatismo equilibrado de los hombres de la reciedumbre de su filamento moral, del temple de su carác­ ter para la preservación de nuestro filipinismo, del arca santa de nuestras tradiciones, base y esencia de nuestra sustantivi- dad. Murió, cuando nuestra juventud, que en su loca carrera hacia las vertientes escarpadas del progreso, va dejando al borde del sendero como carga pesada e inútil lo que nuestros abuelos conceptuaron como los mejores instrumentos para la lucha y para el triunfo, necesitaba como nunca el ejemplo docente de los pocos supervivientes de aquella pléyade de hombres, que se formaron en el yunque de las adversidad y aprendieron en la escuela del dolor el coraje para la lucha, el valor de la propia estimación, de la dignidad y del honor, ostentando con orgullo cristiano en los blasones de su herál­ dica junto a los triunfos de una gloriosa carrera el sagrado emblema de su fe y de su credo. Murió, cuando el pais necesi­ taba mas de las luces de su talento, como jurisconsulto, como gran economista y como politico. La luminosa trayectoria de su vida dejo las huellas in­ confundibles del apóstol de un pueblo, de una raza. Nacido en un ambiento distinto al de ahora, con el esfuerzo de su voluntad gigante y de su diamantino carácter, supo vencer las limitaciones del horizonte de ayer, trazando en el vuelo de su privilegiada mentalidad el mejor alegato de la capaci­ dad de su pueblo. En la magna labor de estructuración de nuestro gobier­ no, y de cimentación de nuestra democracia y de nuestra nacionalidad, fue Don Gregorio Araneta una figura sobresa­ liente. Y las varias etapas de su triunfal carrera como ser­ vidor publico son sublimes monumentos a la integridad, a la lealtad al deber jurado, piedras milarias que señalaran a las generaciones presentes y futuras el angosto sendero que con­ duce al recinto de los privilegiados, al templo de la inmor­ talidad. Su vida, no fue la del petardista intelectual a la violeta, que al igual que la fosforea luz del rayo hiende el azul del firmamento, deslumbrando a las ignaras multitudes, pero que no deja ni huella de su transito. No fue la del inmundo arroyo que agosta con el limo emponzoñado de sus entrañas las plantas y los seres que a su paso encuentra; fue la de ful­ gente hoguera que alumbro con sus llamaradas un sido, una época. Fue la del manso rio, que prodiga sus linfas cristali­ nas al sediento, y va dejando en constante holocausto por­ ciones de su caudal en cada remanso y encrucijada de su cauce, regando campiñas y fertilizando yermos, hasta morir en la mar. Hombre de poco hablar, unia la acción a la palabra y sus opiniones que eran la expresión sincera de arraigadas convicciones forjadas no al calor del aplauso popular ni de los convencionalismos acomodaticios, sino en el tamiz de una serena locubracion, apuntalada por el rico tesoro de la expe­ riencia adquirida en los años de duro y austero aprendizaje en el libro de la naturaliza y en los intrincados laboratorios de la ciencia, tenia para sus hermanos los tributos de un dogma, de una doctrina, y eran acogidas con respeto y devo­ ción, como orientadoras de una ideologia, de una aspiración. Hombre sabio y gran filosofo en el cumplimiento de su misión sagrada sobre la faz de la tierra huyo de las pompas y de la vana ostentación, recursos falaces de espíritus pig­ meos, que solo nublan la visión del sendero del bien, y sin alharacas ni baratas estridencias, laboro sin desmayos por la felicidad de los suyos y por la prosperidad de su pueblo, aguantando a pie firme los trallazos de la adversidad, fija la mirada en la meta de sus ideales. Descanse en paz el gran hombre, el acendrado patriota, el ejemplar padre de familia. Fuiste para tus hermanos lumi­ noso faro en la inmensidad de los mares: roble frondoso bajo la sombra de cuya copa hallaron amparo y cobijo innumera­ bles peregrinos del gran decierto de la vida. Si la muerte es destrucción, transito del ser al no ser, tu no has muerto. Solo mueren aquellos que desviándose de la ruta de la verdad y del honor malogran el sagrado fideicomiso que la Provi­ dencia les ha confiado en los zarzales del tortuoso camino, que para su malaventura han escogitado. ¡Bendito seas, que en el postrer aliento de tu vida pudista mirar, serena la frente, el mas alia de la tumba, y al remontar tu vuelo, hacia el trono de nuestro Dios, envuelto en el perfume de las ora­ ciones y del amor de los pedazos de tu ser y de tus amigos, dejaste en tu pos el hermoso legado de un hombre glorioso, fecundo en aportaciones al gran tesoro de la humanidad, el progreso universal. Has muerto como mueren los grandes; has muerto como un buen cristiano. Descanses en paz. TALENTO PRECLARO DE ESTADISTA Editorial, La Tribuna de Iloilo, Marzo 11, 1930.

Después de algunos meses de tregua, en que la Parca parecia haberse olvidado de hacer uso de su guadaña cega­ dora en los hombres que figuraban en la primera fila de nues­ tras actividades, hoy el cable, dentro de su cruel laconismo, nos ha vuelto a sorprender con la noticia de otra muerte que viene a privar a Filipinas de un talento preclaro no solo como profesional, sino también como estadista y como politico. La muerte de Don Gregorio Araneta, acaecida en estos momen­ tos en que nos aprestamos a hacer frente a las vicisitudes de una nueva vida y a los cambios inevitables que habrian de ser la consecuencia de las presentes actividades en el Con­ greso de los Estados Unidos, aumenta la gravedad de la per­ dida sufrida, porque indudablemente su concurso en la solu­ ción de muchos de nuestros problemas nos hubiera sido muy valioso. Pero plugo al Cielo arrancarle de nuestro lado pre­ cisamente en estos momentos en que la Patria necesitaba de todos sus hombres de valor, y preciso sera conformarse con los designios inapelables de la Providencia, procurando en todo lo posible rememorar las virtudes de nuestros esclare­ cidos hombres que hayan pasado a major vida para que sir­ van de ejemplo y orientaciones a nuestra juventud. Don Gregorio Araneta es en nuestro humilde concepto el hombre que mejor tipificaba en vida la virtud de saberse hacer a si mismo; sin influencias que trabajasen por encum­ brarle y con solo los méritos de su propio valor supo escalar desde joven las cumbres del saber y de la fortuna, en tér­ minos que hoy muere dejando a los suyos una fortuna bien saneada y un prestigio de saber y de virtudes nunca man­ cillados y siempre impolutos de lacra y aprobio. Vivió hon­ radamente y tuvo la muerte que correspondia a su honradez nunca discutida. PRESTO MERITISIMO SERVICIOS Editorial, El Excelsior, Marzo 15, 1930.

Don Gregorio Araneta y Soriano presto también a Fili­ pinas—su patria—relevantes y meritisimos servicios en dis­ tintos e importantes cargos, como el de Miembro de la Junta Consultiva del Gobernador General en las postrimerías de la dominación española; de Secretario de Justicia durante el gobierno de la República Filipina; y al implantarse en las Islas la soberania de los Estados Unidos de Norte America, los de Magistrado de la Corte Supreme durante el regimen Militar, y sucesivamente, los de miembro de la primera Co­ misión Civil, Procurador General, Fiscal General y Secreta­ rio de Hacienda y Justicia. A una inteligencia privilegiada y al cuadal inapreciable de sus conocimientos y cultura, que le capacitaron para de­ sempeñar con sigular acierto todos los cargos públicos y pri­ vados que ocupo, se unian en el Sr. Araneta, un don de gentes, un tacto y una educación tan esmerada, que se capto las sim­ patías generales de nuestra comunidad. Y Don Gregorio Ara- neta fue, sobre todo y ante todo, un ferviente y acendrado católico, fiel observante de los mandatos de nuestra Reli­ gión, que llevo una vida ejemplar y constituyo y supo man­ tener un hogar modelo, en el que se cultivan, con el fervor de un culto, las mas puras virtudes y costumbres cristianas. Repetimos, Estados Unidos de Norte America y Filipi­ nas han perdido a dos de sus mas predilectos hijos. EXCELSIOR se asocia al dolor de la colonia americana en Filipinas y expresa su mas sincero y sentido pesame a la distinguida familia del Sr. Araneta por la irreparable desgra­ cia que ha sufrido. Estados Unidos de Norte America y Filipinas han per­ dido a dos de sus mas preclaros a ilustres hijor: el Hon. William H. Taft, Presidente de la Corte Supreme de la Metro- poli, y el jurisconsulto Sr. Don Gregorio Araneta y Soriano. Abogados ambos, colaboradores en la dificil y delicada tarea, llevada a cabo por el primero con notable acierto, in­ timos amigos y leales servidores de sus respectivas patrias, fueron arrebatados por la Muerte casi simultáneamente, en el breve espacio de unas cuantas horas, hermanando asi, como lo estuvieron en vida su amistad, su alteza de miras y de ideales, el dolor, el respeto y el agradecimiento de sus pueblos. La Historia universal tiene reservado para el Hon. Wil­ liam H. Taft un puesto preeminente por su renombre como notable estadista y jurisconsulto, que en el cargo de Gober- nador General de Filipinas, primero, y en los de primer Ma­ gistrado y Presidente de la Corte Suprema de la poderosa Nación estadunidense, después, dio multitud de pruebas de su singular talento, habilidad y tacto politico, rectitud de criterio, imparcialidad y ecuanimidad, que le granjearon, muy justamente, la admiración y el respeto de Estados Unidos y de Filipinas. UNA DE LAS EMINENCIAS CUMBRE Eulopio de Dn José López Vito1 La cruel Parca acaba de sagar la vida de uno de los mas ilustres hijos de este pais, D. Gregorio Araneta. Inteligencia privilegiada, poderoso talento analitico para quien no habia secretos en la solución de los mas intrincados problemas jurídicos. D. Gregorio Araneta se destaco, y con personalidad propia, en el ejercicio del derecho en este pais, como una de las eminenciascumbres. Podria figurar al lado de los mas talentados juristas de cualquiera nación civilizada. Las filas de nuestros sabios jurisconsultos se van cla­ reando. Ayer Arellano, Mapa ... hoy Araneta. Y nos dejan, cuando mas ha menester nuestro pais de la ayuda de sus poderosas inteligencias, para la solución de problemas que afectan a nuestra existencia nacional. Descanse en paz el ilustre jurisconsulto honra y prez de Filipinas.

PATRIOTA, ESTADISTA, LEGISLADOR, SABIO Y CRISTIANO Eulopio de Dn Gregorio Jalbuena1 Con la muerte del Hon. Gregorio Araneta la patria ha perdido un ciudadano ilustre, el gobierno filipino un antiguo y eficiente servidor, el foro un jurisconsulto eminente, la historia de nuestros revoluciones un superviviente de eleva­ dos méritos patrióticos y la Fe Católica un denodado paladín. Patriota, estadista, legislador, sabio y cristiano, su nom­ bre y sus hechos han ayudado mucho a la promoción del adelantamiento político y espiritual de muestra nación. Dios y la patria, bendigan su santa y prestigiosa me­ moria. 1 El Tiempo, Marzo 11, 1930. DE UNA SENSILLEZ ENCANTADORA Entrevista con Dn Gregorio por Jesus Balmori

Pocos habra en Filipinas de la prestancia social y la ele­ vación mental de Don Gregorio Araneta; pocos hombres go­ zaran de una posición económica mas desahogada y mas brillante que la del caballero que entrevistamos; ninguno habra sido como el tan combatido y admirado por su gesto soberbio y único en politica; y sin embargo. Este hombre se nos antoja de una sencillez encantadora, de una existencia acrisolada, de un patriotismo honrado; y cuando estrechamos su mano en el despacho de sus oficinas en donde nos aguarda sonriente y afable, sentimos la sensa­ ción de estar ante un reverendo abate que nos fuera a recitar de un momento a otro los versos inmortales de Fray Luis. Don Gregorio Araneta es abogado desde el año 1891. Durante el regimen español ocupo el cargo de Abogado fiscal de la Real Audiencia de Manila. Durante el gobierno filipino fue Secretario del Congreso de la República y Secretario de Justicia. Durante el gobierno americano ha sido Magisttrado de la Corte Suprema, Procurador General, Fiscal General, Comisionado, y finalmente Secretario.de Hacienda y Justicia. No ha sido mas porque no ha querido. En dos diversas ocasiones, primero cuando la vacante del malogrado Don Vic­ torino Mapa y luego cuando el fallecimiento del nunca bien llorado Don Manuel Araullo, le fue ofrecida la presidencia de nuestro mas alto tribunal. El Sr. Araneta rehusó en hon­ roso cargo las dos veces. En la actualidad trabaja solo en su bufete, tranquila­ mente, reposadamente. — Nada ya de politica, Don Gregorio? — Nada, amigo mió. — Motivo principal? — Los años! Y extiende la mirada por su despacho como por sobre un remanso de bienestar y bienaventuranza. — Que porevnir económico cree usted que tendrá el pais en el futuro? — Tengo una gran fe en el porvenir económico del pais. Porque tenemos grandes recursos naturales y espero, que esos recursos se desenvolverán. Se ha despertado en el fili­ pino, ademas, un deseo de progresar económicamente explo­ tando por nosotros mismos nuestros propios recursos. — Que cree usted sobre las medidas restrictivas en la puastion del azúcar? — Creo que es uña injusticia y una inconsecuencia de principios. ’’ — En caso de ¿probarse, que cree usted que seria de Filipinas? ' — Indudablemente produciría, siquiera de momento, al­ guna depresión económica, áüriqüé es de esperar que pasado algún tiempo habría un reajuste económico. — Tiene usted fe en nuestros actíiáles liders politicos? — Hace tiempo que estoy fuera de la política y, mi ma­ nera de pensar es que recayendo la responsabilidad sobre nuestros liders politicos, se les debe dar oportunidad para que realicen su programa. — ?Esta usted satisfecho de su labor? — Veo con satisfacción que hoy obran con mas conser- vatismo, pudiendo decirse que la política hoy del Partido Nacionalista, no se diferencia de la política del extinguido Partido Progresista. — Indudablemente quisiéramos obrar teniendo en cuenta principalmente nuestros propios intereses, pero mientras es­ temos bajo la soberanía americana no podremos prescindir de los intereses americanos. — Cree usted justificada la marcha reciente de tantos liders filipinos a America? — Si, señor; justificadísima, pues se trata de defender nuestros productos. — Es cierto que el mercado local sea victima de una depresión comercial? — No hay tal cosa. — Que opinión le merece el futuro del idioma castellano en el pais? — Creo que el castellano jamas desaparecerá de Filipi­ nas. La gente educada, al par que el ingles, aprende el cas­ tellano en la actualidad. Es mas, estoy plenamente conven­ cido, y usted estara conmigo, en que nunca como ahora se ha hablado tanto el castellano en el pais. — Tengo entendido, Sr. Araneta, que usted es abogado de la mas grande Empresa periodística de Filipinas. Tiene usted fe en el porvenir de nuestra Prensa? — Tengo una gran fe en el periodismo filipino. Existe, en la actualidad, una saludable competencia entre los editores de los periódicos. Estos y las revistas locales han progresado y siguen progresando de un modo sorprendente. Halagados, arrullados, mejor, por las ultimas palabras del Sr. Araneta nos despedimos de el. Y una vez por el pasillo que nos conduce fuera, pensando en el gran hombre, en el gran político que dejamos a nuestras espaldas hundido en un ambiente de quietud, los versos de Fray Luis acuden a nues­ tro espíritu: “Que descansada vida La del que huye del mundanal ruido Y sigue la escondida senda.. EL EXCELSIOR, Marzo 30, 1929 Se celebraran en la Catedral, oficiando el Exorno, Sr. Arzobispo de Manila Reseña de El Mercantil, Marzo 15, 1930.

La Acción Católica esta organizando unas solemnisimas honras fúnebres en su fragio del alma del Hon. D. Gregorio Araneta (q.e.p.d), que en vidá fue, como se sabe, miembro de la Junta Central de la Acción Católica, én representación de la Diócesis de Jaro, habiendo tomado siempre parte activa y preeminente en todas las empresas tendentes a la propaganda de la religión y mayor triunfo de la Iglesia Católica en nues­ tra patria. De acuerdo con los planes ya trazados el Excmo. y Revdmo. Sr. Arzobispo, Mons. O’Doherty celebrara en la Santa Iglesia Catedral una solemne misa pontifical de ré­ quiem con oración fúnebre de la que no se sabe aun quien se encargara, pero que contoda seguridad sera uno de los mas elocuentes oradores sagrados de esta capital. Se ha escogido para la celebración de esta solemne función reli­ giosa el jueves, 20 del corriente mes, a las ocho de la mañana. Se espera que los elementos católicos mas representa­ tivos y selectos asistirán a esta misa pontifical. Por otra parte, en la Iglesia de San Ignacio, se celebrara el lunes próximo, 17 del actual, a las1 seis y media de la ma­ ñana, una misa solemne de réquiem y comunión general en sufragio igualmente del alma del ilustre difunto, Hon. D. Gregorio Araneta. Este acto se ha preparado por la Comuni­ dad de los RR. PP. Jesuítas, el Ateneo de Manila, el Aposto­ lado de la Oración, la Adoración Nocturna, la Congregación Mariana, la Acción Católica y los Caballeros de Colon. El Sr. Araneta fue vicepresidente del Apostolado de la Oración, presidente de la Adoración Nocturna, ex-alumno del Ateneo y miembro preeminente de las otras asociaciones y socieda­ des mencionadas. Reseña de La Vanguardia, Marzo 19, 1930.

En la fotografía tomada por La Vanguardia, del acto necrológico celebrado por los miembros de la Asociación de Ex-alumnos de la Universidad de Santo Tomas en memoria de D. Gregorio Araneta, aparece D. Ignacio Villamor leyen­ do su discurso; abajo parte de la soncurrencia aparecen en primera fila, de izquierda a derecha, el Rector de la Uni­ versidad de Santo Tomas, R.P. Dr. Serapio Tamayo, el Presi­ dente del Senado, Hon. Manuel L. Qüezon, el Cónsul General de España en Filipinas, D. Luis Calderón ,y el Secretario Al- bert, del departamento de Educación. i ARANETA ES ENALTECIDO—Sentido Tributo Alumbrara El Camino De Futuras Generaciones—Villamor. Oradores Prominentes Recuerdan Su Ejecutoria Una misa y una sesión necrológica en la que se pronun­ ciaron discursos y los oradores hablaron de la personali­ dad del malogrado D. Gregorio Araneta, tuvieron lugar esta mañana en el paraninfo de la Universidad de Santo Tomas en Sulucan, organizados por los miembros de la Aso­ ciación de ex-alumnos de la Institución, de la que el difunto fue el ultimo Presidente. Gente conocida estuvo presente en estos actos solemnes de tributo a la memoria de uno de los hombres mas destacados de Filipinas. La misa se dijo a las siete treinta de esta mañana por el Obispo de la Diócesis de Nueva Caceres, Mons. Francisco Reyes, ayudado por el Padre F. Bayona de Sórsogon. Esta fase religiosa de las honras fúnebres por D. Gregorio Ara- neta se hizo mas solémne e imponente con la cooperación de los seminaristas del seminario central de Santo Tomas, quie­ nes se encargaron de entonar las secuencias fúnebres. Acto seguido y en el mismo paraninfo de la Universidad, se dio comienzo a la función necrológica en la que hicieron uso de la palabra conocidos oradores. El Rector de la Universidad de Santo Tomas; Padre Dr. Serapio Tamayo, fue el primero en hablar, haciendo resaltar en su brillante peroración, los rasgón característicos del di­ funto, como católico, como patriota y como modelo de cuali­ dades que el han valido mucho en la conquista del aprecio de los que le rodearan. D. Filicisimo Feria fue el siguiente orador, que hablo en representación de la Asociación de Ex­ alumnos de la Universidad de Santo Tomas y quien en nom­ bre de sus co-asociados, lamento mucho la muerte del Presi- dente de la Asociación." -Y si . ■ ./ L El Secretario dellnteriór, Honorio Ventura siguió después, hablando del finado como un hombre que se distin­ guió como jurisconsulto, como comerciante, como financiero, lo mismo que en otras muchas actividades de la vida. El Hon. Ignacio Villamor, Magistrado de la Corte Supre­ ma, al levantarse para dirigir la palabra a los congregados en el acto, hablóles de la eminencia a que se habia colocado en vida el difunto, por sus elevados ideales, por sus relevan­ tes servicios al pais, por sus ejemplos de virtud, honradez y moralidad, diciendo ademas que con la muerte de D. Gregorio Araneta la perdida ha sido aflictiva tanto a su familia como al colegio de abogados y al pais en general. Pero “lo mas admirable en aquel hombre fue su infatigable laboriosidad, su perseverancia en el trabajo, el gran poder de su voluntad, y su inquebrantable fe en el éxito de sus empresas” al decir del Hon. Villamor. Por ultimo, en medio de la solemnidad luctuosa del mo­ mento, bajo el ambiente docto del Paraninfo de la universi­ dad secular, y ante la respetable congregación de caudillos nacionales, educacionales, intelectuales y profesionales, reso­ naron asordinadas pero palpitantes los homenajes del ultimo orador, el interino “floor leader” de la Camara, Hon. P. Sa­ bido, quien, en rasgos consistentes, hizo resaltar, el hueco dejado en el pais por el ilustre finado. LA MISA PONTIFICAL POR DON G. ARANETA FUE MUY SOLEMNE Reseña de La Vanguardia, Marzo 21, 1930.

Ayer mañana, se llevo a cabo en la Catedral la solemne misa pontifical de réquiem ofrecida por la Acción Católica de Filipinas en sufragio del alma del ilustre finado Hon. D. Gregorio Araneta, que era miembro de la Junta Central de !a Acción Católica. Oficio S.E.I. el Sr. Arzobispo de Manila, Mons. Miguel O’Doherty, siendo presbitero asistente Mons. Hipólito Arceo diáconos de honor los RR. PP. Pastor Santiago y Prudencio Aguilando; ministros del altar, los RR. PP. Joseph A. Mulry, S.J., y José Ma. Siguion, S.J., y maestro de Ceremonias el R.P. Gabriel Salaverria. En el coro los seminaristas del Seminario Mayor de San Carlos, con el refuerzo de varios RR. P. Recoletos y bajo la dirección del R;P. Arana, C.M., ejecutaron fielmente la misa a tres voces del maestro Mass y Serracan. Terminada la misa, el R.P. Juan Coll, S.J., Director del Apostolado de la Oración, pronuncio una brevé oración fúne­ bre en la cual trazo a grandes rasgos las cualidades salientes del Hon. Araneta como patricio, como católico, como esposo, como padre y como ciudadano. Lo comparo en cierto modo con el ultimo de los capitanes de los macabeos y estableció su semblanza con el caballero visto por San Juan en el Apo­ calipsis y que era fiel y veraz, puesto que el Hon. Araneta fue siempre fiel a todos sus deberes y veraz en todas sus relaciones, fiel y veraz en su fe católica, sobre la cual se asentaba todo el edificio de sus virtudes cristianas y ciuda­ danas. Termino recordando como se confeso el jueves prece­ dente al dia de su muerte, comulgo el viernes, asistió con el fervor acostumbrado a la función de la tarde, por ser primer viernes de mes, volvio, a comulgar al dia siguiente, sabado, cuando dispuso Dios que le sobreviniese la enfermedad que pronto habia dellevarle a la vida eterna, y asi la Santisima Virgen fue a llevarlo al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús y el Cora­ zón Deifico a las mansiones eternas de la gloria. Después de la oración fúnebre el coro ejecuto el responso solemne del mismo maestro Mass y Serracan. Asistieron al acto, ademas de los afligidos miembros de la familia del ilustre difunto, los miembros y dignatarios de la Acción Católica, sacerdotes del clero secular, superiores y comisiones del clero regular, y en el presbiterio el Excmo. Sr. Delegado Apostólico, Mons. Piani, el limo, Obispo de Naga, Mons. Reyes, el Visitador Apostólico, M.R.P. Vila- llonga, S.J., el Vicario General de la Archidiosesis, Mons. Bustamante y el abad de Benedictinos D. Raimundo Salinas. El fúnebre decorado del altar asi como la disposición y adorno del sencillo pero elegante catafalco estuvieron a cargo de las incansables y distinguidas damas Da. Dolores R. Vda. de Irureta Goyena y Da. Paz Mossesgeld, ambas de la aristo­ crática sociedad de “La Cruzada.” Reiteramos a la atribulada familia del Hon. Araneta nuestra condolencia y renovamos nuestras preces por el des­ canso eterno del ilustre finado q.e.g.e. A GREGORIO

Dedicado a mi queridísima hermana Cairmelita, modelo de madres y esposas, en sú aflicción. Via Cntsis Quinta Estación. Jesús es ayudado del Cirineo. Oh Señor mió Jesucristo, te suplico me des la gracia de que yo sea tu Cirineo, cooperando en la salvación de los hombres; que yo sea el Cirineo de los afligidos pobres y necesitados, aliviando sus penas; y que to seas nuestro Cirineo, para que perseveremos hasta el fin.

Ha muerto! dicen todos amante de la ciencia, con alma dolorida, siempre en mis actos recto, desarradores llantos estricto de conciencia, se escuchan por doquier; y al par que el bien buscando, yo no lo creo asi, odiando todo mal. para mi aun tienes vida, pues queda aun tu savia, Conozco que a ti debo tu fe nunca extinguida, mi viaje de estudiante incólume el recuerdo bien se que tu guiabas de lo que fuiste ayer. mi paso al porvenir; y cuando en mi camino Aun te veo joven estaba vacilante, desempedrando calles, tu a mi me conducías, tirado por caballos camino hacia adelante con un andar veloz; y dabasme consejos en el espacio cunde, para saber vivir. atravesando valles tu fama de abogado Llevabas a las aulas con múltiples detalles, tu clara inteligencia tu candida oratoria para alumbrar con ella y tu potente voz. la imberbe juventud, que ansiosa estaba siempre Recuerdo aquellas noches de conquistar tu ciencia, que tu con gran paciencia, y asi se ha producido tomabasme lecciones de patria una conciencia de Codigo Penal y asi se ha desterrado porque querías verme de aqui la esclavitud. Al ver los alegatos Con grandes sacrificios que en el bufete hacías, y a fuerza de desvelo, con lógica esculpidos, que tu y tu esposa amante reverberando en luz, tuvisteis que afrontar, y oir tus argumentos formasteis familia, y tus sabias teorías, que fúe vuestro consuelo pensaba que debían con hijos cariñosos, eternos ser tus dias que unidos en un velo, para arrancar el mundo han hecho delicioso de su febria capuz. el patérnal hogar. Pero Dios ha dispuesto sacarte de este suelo, La música y la rima para que descansaras tu oido deleitaron, en la eternal mansión; el teatro y la lectura tu ejemplo, sin embargo, han sido tu afición, sera nuestro consuelo; la industria y el comercio vivir como has vivido tu ayuda recabaron, es todo nuestro anhelo, tus mil corporaciones hallar tu muerte santa por ti, si, se salvaron es nuestra asipracion. y el erario publico, én mas de una ocasión. Mas, aunque ya estas lejos Tus pasos en el mundo te tiene en su memoria, habran de ser eternos grabado el mundo entero porque tus actuaciones con fiel contemplación; jamas se han de olvidar; no en balde se ha trazado a ti te han distinguido tu hermosa trayectoria y honrado tres gobiernos que en paginas de oro y aquellos altos puestos conservara la historia vedados para sernos, para honra de la raza fuiste tu el primero y de tu sucesión. en filipinizar. Hermosa ejecutoria, No importa que tu tiempo esfuerzo de titanos, tu ocupación robaba carácter indomable, tenias aun tiempo has desplegado tu; para la religión; justicia siempre has hecho y cuando te enterabas a tirios y troyanos, que algún amigo estaba aun a tus contrarios en trance de morirse trataste como hermanos ... tu tiempo no faltaba Cuan noble siempre has sido! y tu le convencias Sublime tu virtud! que hiciera confesión. De lagrimas el paño Y asi has salvado almas, miles de veces fuiste, y asi ganaste el cielo, pues siempre has practicado y si Dios te ha sacado la hermosa caridad; con singular amor; tu, al desamparado y puesto que velabas sin miras protegiste, por todos en el suelo, al pobre las limosnas tu, desde el alto espacio a manos llenas diste, envianos consuelo asi como a las viudas y se de tus pedazos y al niño en su orfandad. eterno protector. No se, en verdad, que has Pues de tu esposa e hijos, hecho, tus nietos, madre, hermanos, ni sé de tus labores, amigos y sobrinos, cuando en el mundo estabas jamas te has de olvidar; donde es vivir sufrir, no dejes nuestra causa mas veo que en tu tumba que tienes entre manos, con lagrimas y flores haz tu que consigamos se agrupan mil personas del cielo los arcanos, que debente favores, y alli, en el entretanto, y muy agradecidas Con Dios, descansa en paz! te están hasta morir. Manila, Marzo 29. 1930. SALVADOR ZARAGOZA LA VANGUARDIA AHORA QUE GOZO DEL DESCANSO ETERNO

G — usto del cielo dulces beneficios, R — ogando por vosotros sin cesar; E— n vida tuve grandes sacrificios, G — ozo en la muerte dichas mil sin par; 0 — igo vuestra voz, guio vuestros pasos, R — eco jo los suspiros que exhaláis, 1 — ncienso para mi que me enviáis ... O — s bendigo! del alma mis pedazos. A — hora que gozo del descanso eterno, R — eposando junto al que nos creo A — cudo avuestro llanto sempiterno ... N — o dejaros llevar del desaliento; E — sposa amada que mi bien labro T — odos mis hijos, que aspiráis mi aliento, A — maros siempre, como os amo yo! Marzo 9, 1930. SALVADOR ZARAGOZA LA VANGUARDIA LIFE WITH FATHER... (Continued from page x) were four intor-connecting rooms. Following these were the family bathrooms, servants bathrooms, two store rooms and the pantry. The dining room was between the caida-and the azotea. Under our bed rooms on the second floor was the apartment of my grandmother, which consisted of two bed rooms, a sitting room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen. On the west side beyond the en­ trance hall and stairway was the chapel of my grandmother. . The important rooms of the house had decorative painted walls which had been originally done by maestro Toribio Antilion and his pupils Modesto Reyes and Juan Arellano. The living room was done in the renacimiento style of the period. The entrance hall,, the caida and my mother’s tocador was done in the art nouveau while my father’s private library had Pompeyan decorations. The ceiling of the dining room had 8 panels representing different fruits. The floors of the living room, the caida and bedrooms were made of wide boards of narra and tindalo alternating while the floor of the dining room was made of baldozas. The exterior walls of the lower part of the house were of wood and bricks while the upper portion of the house was of panel wood. Father’s private library in the afternoon served as the study room for his children when the maestra repesante came to teach us our homework. Lola Chata’s private chapel had a permit from the Vatican for Sunday masses. The mass was good only for Lola Chata, her re­ latives and servants. For many years, Benedictine priests came to our house every Sunday to say the Mass. Then breakfast was served, with the priest as honored guest, either in Lola Chata’s dining , room down­ stairs or in our dining room upstairs. Towards the back of the house on the first floor was the carriage room where three or four carriages were kept. The room was open on two sides and the floor was at the level of the street. Many years later, when cars replaced the carriages, my father asked Juan Arellano, younger brother of Arcadio, the original architect of our house, to remodel the room into an open porch. That open porch is still in use today by young Moral Rearmament members for programs and reunions. Years later, Johnny Arellano became my good friend and he designed the Victoneta in Mandaluyong for my own family. Wide windows ran all around our house, but at night and during bad weather, they were secured not only by one but by two kinds of shut­ ters. One kind was made of thin glass panes and was used to keep away the rain, while letting in some amount of light. The other kind was made of wooden louvres—persianas, they are called—and was used as shades to keep away the sun, but not the air, during hot summer days. These shutters slid open and shut on assigned grooves along the very wide and stout window sills. But for me, the window sills served another purpose: to measure my height. When I was very small, I could stand straight beneath the window sill and I remember I was still that small when I heard talk in my family about a great earthquake in San Fran­ cisco. Picture taken around 1890 of a section of San Sebastian Street. House marked (1) shows two flagpoles and the official seal of Liberia and Ecuador, of which my grandfather Jose Zaragoza ivas the honorary consul. It was then the residence of my grandparents and their chil­ dren. House (2) owned by my grandmother was the house which father and mother occupied the first years of their marriage, and the house where the four eldest children were born. (3) shows the vacant yard which father bought from his mother-in-law ivhere he built his home. (A) Is the house ivhere our grandmother moved and lived during the last years of her life. Tio Demetrio Tuason, Tia Nati and their children, (Jose, Nicasio, Celso, Severo and Teresing) moved to house (2) when it was vacated by my parents and they after a few years moved to house (1), while (2) ivas then occupied by Tio Elias Zaragoza and his family, the parent of the architect Jose Zaragoza. Aside from the house on San Sebastian, we also lived in other houses farther away from the bustle of the city. Twice my father moved the whole family to the residential area in Santa Mesa, which was some­ what elevated, wooded and had a fresh country air, near where the Club Filipino was located until recently. We lived in that vicinity in a chalet rented from Don Mariano Tuason the first time we moved out from the house in San Sebastian because Lola Chata was then sickly and needed a change of air. In that chalet was held the engagement ceremony for my mother’s brother, Tio Salvador and his fiancee, Carolina Tuason. Several years later, we transferred to another chalet which my father rented from Mr. Haussermân. There were many interesting places for play in that house and by that time, my brothers and sisters were an active lot. Once when we were playing hide and seek, I de­ cided to climb a ropero which was just as tall as I was. Hardly was I on top of the hamper when I decided to hide elsewhere. But when I jumped down, my foot caught in the hamper and I fell on my forehead. I must have been about eleven years old then and, lying on the floor, I had a most vivid understanding of the phrase “ver las estreüas.” I was very sick for about a week after that experience. I recall that in those days, although I was fetched in the evening, I had to go to the Ateneo by myself using the streetcar. I had to walk a distance from our house to Sta. Mesa street in front of Sta. Mesa Church. It took one good hour to reach the electric car stop, one block from the Ateneo. I had to wake up at 5:00 a.m. in order to reach the ateneo at 6:45 a.m. We already had a car, but this was used only by Father and the rest of thé family, and to fetch us from school at 5:00 p.m. Parties and Housëguests in San Sebastian THE PARTIES which my father and mother gave in nonor of their friends were always occasions for excitement among us, although as very young children, we were not allowed to join. I remember in particular a ball held in honor of the Secretary of War William Howard Taft. He was the first Civil Governor, the chief executive of the Philippines after thè collapse of General Emilio Agui- naldo’s government. He served from 1901 to 1903. During that time, he became my father’s good friend. He was recalled to the United States in 1903 to serve as Secretary of War in the Cabinet of President Theo­ dore F. Roosevelt. In 1907 he returned on a visit to Manila for the Inauguration of the First Philippine Assembly, and this, my father thought, was an occasion for a ball, featuring the rigòdon de hónor. I was then jnly five years old and was not allowed to stay up for the festivities. However, I was watching earlier in the day when a huge American flag (borrowed from the government, no less) was tacked up on one wall of the poHe cochere. I also remember that when the party ended and the guests had gone, I saw the policemen having their dinner in the main dining room. We had several vantage points from which to watch the parties in our house in San Sebastian. One was the stairway on the p(yrte cocliere which gave a good view of the guests as they were coming in. The other was the azotea at the rear of the dining room which gave a good view of the guests as they sat at table. Once we were stationed on the stairway at the porte cockere, watch­ ing the guests come in for a noontime banquet. Among them was Mr. Manuel L. Quezon, then majority floor leader of the first Philippine Assembly. He saw me and the other children and Father told me later that Mr. Quezon foretold a good future for his little boy. From these vantage points, we also watched a tea party in honor of Governor General William Cameron Forbes. My father served in his Cabinet as Secretary of Justice and Finance, the first Filipino to be named head of an executive department. During that tea party, the young Misses Ursula and Pilar Hidalgo, who were popular for their beauty and charm, were the most sought-after ladies. Pilar became the wife of General Vicente Lim, a 1914 West Point graduate and a hero of World War II. Ursula married Mr. Vicente Villamin, one of the first Filipino columnists on economics and for many years, a defender of Philippine interests in hearings of the U.S. congressional committees. I also recall another lovely young lady who was the star in a rather sedate but intimate party in our house. She was Visayas Regidor, daughter of the famous Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor who helped Jose Rizal and other Filipino patriots in their fight for freedom. The Regidor family lived in London. There my Tio Elias, one of my mother’s brothers then studying in England, met the lovely Visayas. He fell in love with her and although I do not know what their feelings were for each other during her visit to Manila, Visayas was fondly honored and entertained in my family. However, she returned to London and Tio Elias married Rosario Velez of Pampanga, Two distinguished houseguests also stayed in our San Sebastian home, although I do not recall parties in their honor. One was Mr. Newston Gilbert who arrived from the United States to become vice governor general. Until he could find a house for himself, he stayed with us, because in those days, there were no decent hotels in Manila. The other was a dashing officer of the French army, Captain Sal­ vador Elio Roxas, the eldest son of Don Francisco Roxas whose family had moved to France after the unfortunate execution of Don Francisco by the Spanish Government during the revolution. The young Captain was always in a rush and he climbed our well-polished stairs always two steps at a time. My mother always paid great attention to the comfort of our house- guests. The assigned guest bedroom was the one nearest to the bath­ room. Our Early Education MY FATHER used to relax on a couch which had long, broad arms where he rested his feet. I would sit on one of those arms and we would have a chat. That couch was my first school for there I learned my first lessons in the worthwhile life. My father believed that a child is never too young to be taught morality and good conduct. From the age of two, seated by him on one of those couch arms, I listened to the norms in which he believed and which he wanted his children to follow. The lesson I will never forget was his admonition that a good life should be lived from youth—a good, straight life when young means a good straight life in maturity, he said. He compared the life of a man to a young tree which, if bent when young and tender, would grow crooked for the rest of its life. My father was a disciplinarian, following this firm belief in the early formation of character. His elder children received thè greatest attention in this respect. He never used a belt, which was commonly wielded by righteous parents then. Instead he used his leather slippers very effectively. When someone was being thus disciplined, my mother suffered visibly. She was a most tender woman, thoroughly dedicated in raising her 13 children. Mother actually bore 14 childrèh, but her first-born, Carmita, died at the age of three. My mother and father had the conimèndable practice of communi­ cating and sharing with us their experiences, problems and successes. During and after meals, they had thé habit of conversing with us and, in accumulation, these chats were really an education. Pleasantly, in­ formally, they molded us through these conversations, opening to us a wealth of experience. Between themselves, my parents shared a strong religious convic­ tion and an abiding piety. By word and by act, by attitude and by the sheer atmosphere in which they lived, they conveyed to us this sense of religion. The years of our lives, I remembèr quite well, were marked, not by mundane milestones, but by the évents of the liturgical càlendar which we faithfully observed. The time of Lent was always reverently commemorated in our fa­ mily. For several years, my father brought Jose and me to the spiritual exercises in San Ignacio church in Iritramuros. These exercises were held every afternoon for one week during Lent. Holy Week was a time of special prayer and practices in our fa­ mily. Father commenced the week by gathering us on Palm Sunday and re-reading the Passion according to Saint Matthew, which we had heard earlier in the day during the Gospel of the Mass. On Holy Thurs­ day, too, he re-read the Gospel to us and then we all went to San Ignacio church for the Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Finally, on Good Friday, we spend the hour from 2 to 3 p.m. in solemn prayer. Qf the religious traditions my father maintained, I remain deeply impressed by the manner in which we welcomed each new year. The stroke of midnight was always received with a prayer my father taught us—it was a prayer of gratitude and petition, gratitude for the favors of the past year, petition for blessings for the new year. Our training at home was supplemented by a very early formal education. Pepe and I attended a kindergarten school on Calle Limasana very near our house. The school was owned and conducted by Madame Toulousse, a French lady who came to the Philippines to be the tutor of Don Francisco Roxas’ children. When Don Francisco was sentenced to death by the Spanish government in 1896, during the revolution against Spam, the family left for France. Madame Toulousse, however, chose to remain in Manila and earned her keep by giving lessons in English. My father was one of her first pupils in English. Later on, when Madame Toulousse established her kindergarten school, my father enrolled us, although he soon transferred us to what was supposed to be a better American kindergarten school. Definitely bigger than Madame Toulousse’s school, the American kindergarten was housed in the former residence of Perez Samanillo in Paco. A few years later, it became the schoolhouse of the La Salle Brothers and there my brothers Jose, Antonio, Ramon and Vicente studied. Much, much later and for many years, the house became the home of Don Vicente Madrigal and his family who left it only in the ’30s: From then on, it became a warehouse and today only the magni­ ficent iron fence remains to be admired. My parents soon realized that, we were just wasting our time in this American school, where the teaching was an early and crude at­ tempt at introducing the Montessori method. Hence, our first letters and lessons in the Bible were given to us by a pious tutor, Miss Encarnita, who was once a novice in a nunnery. In 1909, at the age of seven, I was enrolled at the Ateneo together with my brother Pepe who was eight. The Ateneo was a logical choice as far as my father was concerned: it was his alma mater. For that first year in school, we followed a heavy schedule which required us to be at the Ateneo 15 minutes before 7 a.m. for the early Mass. We went home only at 7 in the evening and in the first days of school my father would wait for us. Evidently, he thought that this was a tough schedule for two young boys, so he obtained for us the special privilege of going home at 5 p.m. This meant that we lost an hour of play and an hour of supervised study period. To make up for the study period, he asked two lady teachers from the public school to tutor us. They were Pilar Zamora and Andrea Arce who became very close to us, staying to be the tutors of almost all the children in the family. During my student days at the Ateneo, my greatest difficulty was in memory work and home assignments. Mother used to wake me up at 5 a.m. to help me with memory lessons for the day. In later years, Mother ceased to be my tutor when we had to memorize Latin, Greek and Spanish verses. Father took over from her. How well he knew Latin which was, in his time, like a second language at the Ateneo. My parents’ help notwithstanding, I still repeated third grade upon the advice of Father Joaquin Villalonga, then the Rector. In my last two years, however, when memory work was at a minimum and the subjects were concentrated on science and philosophy, Father was par­ ticularly proud of my scholastic record and the medals I received. My brother Pepe studied at Ateneo for only two or three years. Father transferred him to the La Salle school, the year it started. My father faithfully attended the alumni reunions and students programs, where we took part, at the Ateneo. In one important celebra­ tion, however, he was more than a spectator; he was the honored guest. This was in 1910 when Ateneo celebrated its 50th anniversary. Father was then the most distinguished alumnus. He was then Secretary of Finance and Justice and, as I mentioned earlier, the first Filipino to hold an important executive office.1 To commemorate the occasion there was a program at the Salon de Ados in which I took part as a page. Student programs at the Ateneo then consisted of graduation exer­ cises and veladas, which were really literary-musical presentations, with declamations and dramatizations. The first time I ever took part in a velada, I had a small oration to deliver. How patiently my father coached me and when I finally spoke the piece during the program, he listened with great enthusiasm. In my last four years at the Ateneo, I took part in the annual English play and in several Spanish plays. Naturally my father was present during the programs. He never failed to attend the veladas where I had a part. Our Household Help, Our Cars and Carriages AS CHILDREN were born in quick succession, my mother needed help in their care. Starting from me, the third child, we were all cared for by a mamay who came to live with us from the provinces. My mamay was a good soul from a nearby province, but my brothers and sisters had mamays who came all the way from Panay. Most of them stayed with us only for a year or two. But one of our maids, Justa, remained with us for many years. Only after she reared my youngest brother Francisco did 3he marry. She had two children of her own, one of whom served in the Army and died in World War II. A pension from the U.S. War Veterans Board has kept her family going. Today Justa is still living in the garage of our old house on R. Hidalgo—a truly good soul. I remember clearly how Justa suffered when a knife she was carry­ ing, tip forward at waist level, struck my brother Jose below the eye. He ran straight into the knife while I was in pursuit. The wound was deep but not serious and Pepe bore the scar all his life. I also recall that my sister Pacita was burned—thank God, only slightly—when we were playing with real fire while cooking in small paXayok. 1 Quezon, Osmena and Cayetano Arellano were graduates of Letran under the Dominican fathers. Our cook was Basilio and he was excellent. He had mastered my father’s favorites, which were, coddo and bacaiao. The good Basilio also served us jamonada, escabeche, galantina and an excellent pure apple salad which all the children loved. Even after Father died, Basilio con­ tinued to be our cook. When he was too old and could no longer work, my mother gave him a lot in Quiapo, near the place where our family later built the Times theater. Shortly after the lot came to be in Basi- lio’s name, Quezon Boulevard was opened and that piece of property became very valuable. When horsedrawn carriages were replaced by cars, Venancio—my father’s coachman for many years—tried to make the shift, but—I am afraid—with a few lapses. He drove a Renault and his itinerary in the afternoon covered the Ateneo in Intramuros to fetch me, then La Salle in Paco to get my brothers and finally the Assumption in Herran to pick up my sisters. One afternoon, he must have been more than rattled by the noisy chatter in the car. Before we knew it, the car had knocked down a man who quickly disappeared under. When we stopped, the man scram­ bled up, shocked and dusty, but without a single injury. It seemed that he fell directly under the car, away from the wheels, and since the car was high, the underbody merely skimmed over him. The man was a Japanese and when he saw that there were only children in the car, he did not make any complaint. There was a time when we had a big Brassier car which figured in another misadventure—this time in Baguio. It was the afternoon of Holy Thursday when my father decided to take the children sightseeing. We had just passed the Mansion House and were about to go up the road beside the Hausserman residence, which is now the official sum­ merhouse of the Vice President. It was a steep road and the larger ear labored to make the grade. After several sallies, the Brassier backed down the road and was stopped only by a small depression. Meanwhile, we were mired in that rut, unable to get the car out, until an American General, Mr. Bell, came and helped us out. The following day, we had to use the Brassier again to attend Good Friday services at the Jesuit chapel atop Mirador Hill, surely one of the steepest hills in Baguio. My mother was with us this time and she could not help but notice how nervous Father was whenever we rounded a curve on the trip up. Kept blissfully ignorant of the incident the day before, she could not account for my father’s strange behavior. We were equally nervous till we reached the Jesuit house safely because we were convinced that we fell into the rut as a sign of God’s displeasure for not spending Holy Thursday in pious meditation. The Brassier—an extraordinarily large car which could accommo­ date my father, mother and all the children—was our second car; the first, which Father purchased soon after the introduction of the motor car, was a Renault. The Brassier was a special model and, at the time we acquired it; was the only one of its kind, in Manila.. My uncle, Don Demetrio Tuason, had it specially imported for his use, but he. quickly got tired of it and sold it to my father who needed a large car for his large family. Before the Renault and the Brassier; we happily used horsedrawn carriages. The guiles (a two-wheeled'carriage), the carruage (open car­ riage) and the landau (a closed carriage) were the family’s means of transportation. The quües had two seats facing each other which could accommodate six grown-ups. It had two big wheels and was pulled by one horse; the carruage and the landau had two small front wheels and two large rear wheels, and was pulled by one horse, although in some cases, by two horses. Father was rather proud of having good horses to pull these means of transportation. His horses used to win prizes in exhibitions. He never had horse races, although he was one of the founders of the Manila Jockey Club. The quües was the principal means of transportation of Father and the family. We used these to take us to the beach in Pasay, a long trip from San Sebastian. As a child, I was delicate of health. There was a time when I completely lost appetite and could hardly eat. The remedy prescribed was to bring- me to Pasay beach for nine consecutive daily baths. We went for nine days to a house rented by Dr. Jose Al­ bert, a trip by quües which, in those days, was a long trip. For a few: years, it was the quües which brought us to school at the Ateneo in Intramuros. I also recall my Father using this during Holy Thursday when we accompanied him on the visita iglesias which included churches in Sta. Cruz, Quiapo, San Sebastian and Sampaloc. It was also in this quiles: where Father memorized his speech' given in Sto. Domingo Church during an academic program in celebration of the. Tricentenary of the University of Sto. Tomas. This, speech created such, a good, impression on the audience that it was: applauded enthusiasm tically, in spite of the rule that no clapping is allowed in a church. It was an incident much commented on at that time. My friend, Vicente Villamin, only recently recounted; this fact to me, as he was then a law student of the U.P. and formed part of the school delegation at the. cere­ mony together with Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, Manuel Goyena, and Miss. Pacita Legaspi. The memory of Dn. Vicente is indeed remarkable. The festivities in commemoration of this, tricentenary were very elaborate. The Estudiantina then became very popular, composed of students of Sto. Tomas, dressed in black, the 3tyle of the Middle Ages, with cap and a picturesque hat. They sang and played string instru­ ments and1 visited many- of the prominent families in Manila. Our home was included1 in one of these visits. I was told that I was awakened and brought to our sala where the Estudiantina gave their performance. The next day, I did: not have any idea of what had happened. But I saw the. Estudiantina perform at the. Opera House together with a play,, where my Tio, Monching Zaragoza,, therij a student of Sto. Tomas, had a role. It was a very good play where the cast included both sexes, something unusual for a Catholic University to present, for in those days,, Sto. Tomas was hot the co-educationaL schools that it is today. La Vanguardia wrote an Editorial suggesting no Filipino should participate m the festivities of Sto. Tomas in celebration of its Tricen­ tenary, a very unjust editorial, for as my friend Vicente Villamin, has remarked, if it were not for Sto. Tomas University, we would not have been prepared, when the Americans came to the Philippines, to assume important positions in the Judiciary, and gradually, in the Executive and Legislative Departments. Games, Sports and Playtime FOR A LONG time, the tricycle was a favorite toy among us. Out­ doors, we rode it around the house; indoors, we rode it around the long dining table. We would reverse a portion of the tricycle to lower the seat and so had the illusion of riding a race car. Roller skates were also a favorite. We were allowed to skate around the long dining table—the solid tiled floor in the dining room could take even that. During the summer days, our cousin Rosario lived in our home when she was on vacation from the Assumption. She was the daughter of Tio Pablo, an elder brother of father. Rosario is now an old lady who lives in Denver, Colorado with her American husband, Mr. Canaday. She has a married son and a married daughter and several grandchildren. In 1961, I met them all when I visited them in Denver. She asked me to dinner which she cooked excellently using rubber gloves. I recall her repeated lamenta­ tion, “Salvador, we are going down the hill, down the hill.” When we skated outdoors, it was at the cemented tennis court in the home of the Legardas. With us were the Prietos, Valdezes and Roceses, including Ramon and Andong who later helped their father, Don Alejandro, in publishing The Tribune. So that we could skate very fast, with enough velocity to keep direction or make a curve, a ramp was built at the end of the court. From there, we skated down in. an unbelievable sensation of speed. Later on, as a student in Ateneo, I took part in English football. We had competitions with Letran students during Sunday afternoons in the Sunken Gardens., In our group were Pepe, my cousin Pindong, Tony Prieto, Virgilio Lobregat, Luis Montanez. The Letran group in­ cluded Jesus Cacho, Manuel Nieto,1 although he was a few years older than we. There was also a time when the grown-ups—the Filipino Mestizo Bohemian Club vs. the English-American Sandows—played football tour­ naments, drawing many spectators to the Sunken Gardens. Our football era preceded what I call the golf era—which took place, in part, also at the Sunken Garden and the Old Wack-Wack Club in what later was called Grace Park in Caloocan. My father encouraged Pepe and me to play frequently with him. i i Who became the Private Secretary of President Quezon, and Philippine Am­ bassador to Spain. Summer Vacations and Summer Homes Antipolo, Malate Beach and Baguio, these were the places which beckoned to us when Manila began to wilt in the heat of summer. In 1906, our family rented a summer house for a month in Antipolo. I vaguely recall the trip which started by train until Taytay and was continued by jamaca up the hills of Angono to the ridge where Antipolo is located. Two men carried one jamaca which could accommodate one adult. Those were the days of maximum use of human labor in a Phil­ ippine population of about ten million. The problem then was scarcity of farm laborers. I remember that in the first convention of Filipino farmers a resolution was advocated to allow large-scale immigration of Chinese farmhands. When we spent the summer on Malate beach, we lived in the house of Don Francisco Roxas. I remember particularly the stifling heat one afternoon when we were obliged nevertheless to sleep during siesta. This property was bought many years later by Don Jacobo Zobel. An­ dres Luna, the son of the famous painter Juan Luna, prepared the plans of the beautiful Spanish house that Jacobo built some years before the last War. Today this villa is still in use by the British embassy. Starting from 1909 to Father’s death in 1930, with but a few ex­ ceptions, we spent each summer in Baguio. As Secretary of Finance and Justice from 1908 to 1913, Father rented Government Cottage No. 4 which faced Luneta Hill. Those were the days of the Forbes Adminis­ tration, when the Governor General, his entire Cabinet and some gov­ ernment officials transferred office to Baguio City during the summer months. Kennon road was then divided into camps and traffic went only one way, directed by telephone calls from each camp. The most popular place in Baguio at that time was the bus station of the Manila Railroad, which wa3 located near the Pines Hotel at the foot of the Luneta Hill. Vacationists made it a point to be at the station every afternoon at 5 p.m. to see who else had come up from the lowlands. Cottage No. 4 was made of plain iron sheets, with galvanized iron roofing. The interior walls and ceilings were made of sawali, a rather thin isolation from the cold. And Baguio then was much colder than it is today, because it was more wooded and had fewer houses to but­ tress the chilly winds sweeping around the hills. One summer, Mother was able to cajole Lola Chata to join us—and how she suffered the cold then. When we were staying in Cottage No. 4, we never wanted for com­ panions because our neighbors were the Elizaldes who occupied Cottage No. 2 and the Zobels who lived in a house behind ours. Mike, Juan and Manolo Elizalde, Jacobo and Alfonso Zobel, my brother Pepe and I went riding many afternoons on rented horses. At other times, we played golf around Luneta Hill, a make-shift course which we improvised ourselves. The Elizaldes, who already showed preference for horse- riding, did not care for this. Some years later, the Country Club of Baguio was established. Father was fond of playing golf at the Coun­ try Club. However, rather than play with his friends, which he did very occasionally, he preferred to take along my elder brother Jose and me to play a nine-course golf with him. In later years, he would also bring my younger brothers Antonio, Ramon, Vicente, Luis and Fran­ cisco, and form a foursome with three of us. In Cottage No. 4, we usually had houseguests. Among them was Don Leopoldo Kahn. He brought with him a generous stock of dif­ ferent kinds of canned goods, a novelty in the menu in those days. For a few years during the Harrison Administration, Baguio ceased to be the summer capital and the buildings in the Government Center were converted into apartments for rent. During those years, our family rented for the summer one wing of the second floor of the Executive building at the Government Center; the other wing was leased by the Tuazon-Zaragozas ; the middle wing was occupied by an American physician. One summer, a section of the first floor of this building was occupied by Don Claro M. Recto, then a newly married young lawyer. Many of the families from Manila were contented with renting government cottages in the summer. Only the very rich started to build summerhouses. Among the first to build a summerhouse in Baguio was Don An­ tonio Roxas whose two-storey residence stood at the entrance of North Drive. Eventually, the Elizaldes built a big bungalow, also on North Road. The Briases and the Zobels chose the South Drive for their sum­ mer cottages. When Governor Cameron Forbes built hig summerhouse on the Topside, it became the showplace. The house was later purchased by Samuel and Elsie Gâches and, after the war, became the property of the nuns of the Good Shepherd. When Father finally built a summerhouse for his family in 1925, he also chose a place in North Drive, next to the house of the Roxases, in front of the Teachers’ Camp. Although it was without the luxurious accoutrements of the summerhouses in Baguio today, it was a most pleasant home away from home. There were two bedrooms on the first floor and a common bathroom. One of the rooms was occupied by Father and Mother, and the other by Jose and me.' On the same floor was a sun-music room. Connecting the music room and the bedroom of my parents was a small receiving room. At the rear of the house was a dining room and a kitchen. The second floor had six bedrooms, three rooms on each side, separated by a com­ mon corridor, at the end of which were two narrow bathrooms. In the last years of his life Father’s close friends whom he en­ joyed visiting in Baguio were Don Alejandro Roces, who had a house overlooking Burnham Park and was considered the most beautiful house at that time; and Don Leopoldo Kahn who had' his home facing Session Road (the Escolta of Baguio). He would also visit the Arch­ bishop of Manila, the Jesuit Fathers, the Dominican Fathers, the Mothers in St, Louis’ School, the Legarda family who had a home in Legarda hill, some of the Justices, and his American‘ friends, Mr. Gaches, Heil- bronn, and Attorney Gibbs. The latter’s house' which was in front of the Mansion House, was later purchased by the Government when Quezon was the President of the Commonwealth, for the official residence of the Speaker. Father’s Hobbies Father was very fond of music. One of his hobbies at home in Manila was listening to good classical music from a phonograph, a gift to him from Dona Maria Elia Vda. de Roxas* sometime in 1909. It was an old-fashioned phonograph manufactured in France, with a funnel- type loudspeaker. Later on, he bought a Victrola. But up to 1930, when Father died, the phonographs were not producing the clarity and power of sound that they do today; but Father did enjoy his phonograph. Father did not have much time to read, but there was a period when he decided to study business and finance, reading the La Salle Extension courses of study, and another when he read a course on how to improve his memory, based on associating names and ideas. Father had a well-balanced life—-divided among his work (first in the Government, later in the practice of law, his law lectures, and int business), his social and Catholic duties (as one of the lay leaders of' the Church), his concern for his family, his enjoyment of good music from his phonograph records, very occasional golf matches with his children, and frequent attendance at the operas and zarzuelas especially when, during the first two decades of the century, Italian opera or Spanish zarzuela companies used to visit the Philippines. He smoked cigarettes very sparingly, about one or two sticks a day, generally after meals. During many periods, he stopped smoking alto­ gether. Our Ancestors Before the war, I asked Tio Pablo, Father’s elder brother, to make an Araneta family tree. That family tree was destroyed during the war. Today, through the courtesy of Eva Araneta, the youngest daugh­ ter of Don Marciano, (who belonged to the Negros Branch of the Ara- netas), we have our own, as well as her branch of the Araneta family tree. The two branches started with two brothers, Buenaventura and Vicente, both surnamed Araneta y Sta. Ana. The parents of these two brothers must have been born and bap­ tized in Zamboanga. Tio Pablo said that the Araneta who came from Spain established himself in Zamboanga. Years later, one of the Arane- tas went to Negros (from which came Don Marciano’s branch) ; another She is the widow of Don Francisco Roxas. I remember how she received Pepe and me in France when we went through Europe after my one-year study at Har­ vard. one came to the railroad station in her carriage and we stayed with her family for about a week in their summer home in Bairritz. to Iloilo (from which our branch came) ; a third stayed in Zamboanga. I had the pleasure of meeting some of them during a visit there in 1967. Teodoro Araneta,-the prosperous lumberman well-known in Manila busi­ ness circles, belongs to the Zamboanga branch, which could be regarded as the mother branch, or as he jokingly says the genuine branch. Father’s known ancestors on the Araneta line start with Buena­ ventura Araneta y Sta. Ana, who was three generations ahead of him. Don Marciano’s known ancestry starts with Vicente Araneta y Sta. Ana, who was four generations ahead of him. Hence, Father is an uncle of Don Marciano on the fourth degree, and I, a cousin of the latter on the fourth degree. Father’s father was Felix, the son of Herminigildo and the grandson of Buenaventura. On the other hand, Don Marciano’s father was Vicente, son of Luis, grand­ son of Atanacio and great grandson of another Vicente. None of father’s sons bear his name or that of his ancestors, while he gave to two of his sons the names of Vicente and Luis. Father was especially close to Don Marciano, who visited Father frequently when he came to Manila. I still recall his bass voice and jovial nature. Don Marciano is the father of many distinguished Aranetas—Ceci­ lia (the first wife of Speaker Jose Yulo, and who greatly contributed to the building of the Yulo fortune), J. Ama,do (married to his cousin Ester, owner of the Araneta Coliseum), Ramon, Eva (married to an Iloilo physician Dr. Tomas Serra), and others less known. Up to the first world war, as far as I knew, the only Araneta family in Manila was that of Father. I recall, however, that sometimes, letters addressed to Ramon Araneta were received in the house. These letters could not possibly be for my brother Ramon who was only a child at that time. They were for Ramon, the eldest son of Don Mar­ ciano, who married a Chuidian. He had the manners of a perfect gentle­ man, was always well dressed and very neat. The last time I saw him was during the Japanese occupation, when we met casually while walk­ ing in the direction of Harrison boulevard. Weeks later we heard the sad news that he had been taken by the Japanese. To the common glory of these two branches of the Araneta family, each produced a general during the revolution. They were General Juan Araneta an uncle of Don Marciano and General Pablo Araneta, our Tio Pablo, my father’s brother, who served in Panay. For the information of my grandchildren, I would like to add that my eldest grandson Tomas Segovia y Araneta is a 6th degree cousin of George Araneta, son of J. Amado, and married to Stella Marquez, an international beauty from Colombia. He is also a nephew of Antonio S. Araneta Jr., married to an international beauty of our own, Gemma Guerrero Cruz. Father’s Family A person is related to four families if he is unmarried, to eight if married. On this basis, Father is related to the Aranetas and Militantes Qfträw i3iMvd ■ on his father’s side, and to the Sorianos and Dytchings on his mother's side. Because of his marriage, he became related .tò the Zaragozas and the Aranquisnas on the side of his father-in-law,, and the Roxases and Arces on thè side of his mother-in-law. If the family names of my father’s four forebears are added to his name, it would read as fol­ lows: Gregorio Araneta y Soriano, Militante, y Dytching. Some of our Spanish blood came from tìiè Araneta who come from the Basque country á few generations before, Father was born. Our Chinese blood came from his grandmother on his mother’s side, Dytching. On the other hand, Mother’s name would read as follows: Carmen Zaragoza Roxas Aranquisna y Arce. While from hèr side we have in­ herited more Spanish blood, there is a good mixture, also of Malay and Chinese blood on my grandmother’s mother side, the Roxas-Ai’ce. Should my name carry the four family names of father and those of mother, it would read thus: Salvador Araneta Zaragoza Soriano Roxas Militante Aranquisna Dytching Arce. It is this mixture of Malay, Spanish and Chinese blood that has made us an enterprising family, without detriment to our Filipinism. And our case is the case of millions of Filipinos, in whom the Malay blood has been mixed and invigorated with Chinese, Spanish, and in growing number, with Amer­ ican, German, English, and Japanese blood. If we are going to be a progressive country, in our new Consti­ tution, we should adopt a limited version of the jus-soli doctrine for our nationality. We should prohibit dual citizenship but stop treating as second class citizens our naturalized citizens. Father used to tell us some of the incidents of his early life and of his family relations. He knew who were his immediate as well as his distant relatives from Iloilo and Negros. He was born in Molo, Iloilo, to Don Felix Araneta añd Doña Paz Soriano, who had eighteen children, five of whom died at an early age. I had the pleasure of knowing twelve uncles and aunts from Father’s side, five of whom never married. However, I have no re­ collection of my grandfather Felix. When he was very ill, I remember that my father went to Iloilo and stayed with him until the end. About two years later, when my grandmothér Paz was very ill, Father brought Mother and all of us (we were only four then) to Iloilo where we stayed in the ancestral house for two or thrèe weeks. When my grandmother died, it was Dr. Pablo Aráneta, a physician and a general during the revolution who embalmed her, a practice not common at that time. ." Among his .brothers, Father was closest to Tio Pablo, to whom he wrote regularly. Father was Tio Pablo’s perennial financier or busi­ ness partner in many agricultural ventures. Together they became owners by gradual purchase of a big tract of land in Lambunao, total­ ling several thousand hectares. It was only, after Father’s death when we decided to apply for a Torrens Title to the Land in Lambunao. All evidences had been presented in court when the second World War took place, and the proceedings. were suspended. The records were" destroyed during the war, and we decided to forget the case and forego our .title to the land, in favor of the heirs of Tio Pablo. We took as God’s will that we should not own more land than what Father had left us in Novaliches—one of the good in­ vestments that he made in his life. At this point I would like to mention that father’s fortune was built greatly with mother’s encouragement and support. She was very judicious in the family expenses, a trait that was common in most Fili­ pino families at that time and among the friends of father. His was the generation when the Filipino families started to save and build the fortunes which they left to their heirs. I refer to Don Vicente Madri­ gal, Don Gonzalo Puyat, Don Leopoldo Aguinaldo, Don Francisco Or- tigas and others. Tio Pablo was proud of being a strong man. I was always a slim young boy, even at 16 when I finished my A.B. at the Ateneo. On one of his visits to Manila, Tio Pablo taught me two exercises to expand my chest. The first exercise consisted of raising dumb bells with out­ stretched arms to shoulder level. The second exercise was hitting a punching bag with the elbows. I thought these exercises did me a lot of good so I passed them on to my brother Vicente. Moreover I have tried to implement them in the gymnastics course being given at the Araneta University. Tio Angel, my Father’s second elder brother, had quite a different habit. Whenever he came to visit us (in Manila from his farm in Negros, Mother had to serve vino tinto at the tablé. It was in deference to his custom of taking vino tinto instead of water. Five of my father’s sisters never married and three of them— Filoména, Concha and Remedios—are living today. My aunts often visited us when we were small, yet each‘time they left us to return home, they wept profusely—as if they were going into some distant exile, never to see us again. Among my unmarried aunts, Tia Concha has always been the busi­ nesswoman. During the 20s, she used, to finance and supervise the making of sinamay in Iloilo, thus providing employment to many home- weavers in Panay. For many years, Mother used to buy that sinamay for wholesale in Manila. One of the retailers was Tia Lola Candelaria Soriano Cacho, who made the business profitable enough to send seven children—Jose, Ma­ riano, Jesus, Concepcion, Rosario, Maria and Angeles to school. My father’s aunt on his mother’s side—hence, the pet name lola Candie—she was a widow living in Intramuros. Her children were older than we; Jesus the youngest boy was older than Pepe. One summer when he was our houseguest in Baguio, he shared the same room with Pepe and me. I remember how we used to accom­ pany him to the Roxas-Soriano home in the North Drive where he played tennis with Andresito Soriano and his two sisters. Pepe and I were just mirones then. One evening, after the tennis game, Andresito, Jesus, Pepe and I walked from the Roxas-Soriano home to the Legarda Home,1 taking a short cut to meet the Legardas and the Prietos. There were no bar- cadas in those days (the word was not even known) and the way of life of the youth then was very different from the life of the youth today. With the help of her children, usually Mariano and Jesus, Tia Lola Candie used to put up a very elaborate Belen at Christmastime, the best in Manila. Occupying two rooms of the first floor, of their house in Intramuros, the Belen was always presented differently each year. Her Belen was not limited to the manger and the Holy Family. It in­ cluded the whole town of Bethlehem with its valleys and hills, a gath­ ering of shepherds and dozens of scattered houses. Every year for about fifteen years, Father brought us to visit his Aunt Candelaria, not only at Christmastime to admire the Belen, but also during her annual feastday parties' in February. There were many nances which I attended in her house, first as a mere observer being too young, and later as a participant when already in my teens and just starting to dance. Father was also close to Senator Francisco Soriano and Dr. Jose Soriano, his first cousins on his mother’s side. I recall Don Francisco’s visit to our house after a trip to Germany with two of his daughters. They visited the famous Therese Newman who had the stigmata and who had been fasting for many years. We listened in fascination as he described Theresa Newman in ecstasy when she suffered the passion of the Lord. Basically a family man, Father believed in close family ties and was in constant contact with his relatives. Father was a good son-in-law In the same way that Father was fond of his relatives, he was also very close to his mother-in-law, Dona Rosa, whom we called Lola Chata and to her. children, my uncles Salvador, Elias,; Ramon and aunt Margarita. Together with Lola Vieja Carmen Arce, my great grand­ mother from my mother’s side, they occupied the first floor of our San Sebastian house. Another daughter, Tia Naty who was married to Don Demetrio Tuason, was very close to us. Her home adjoined ours along a row of houses on San Sebastian Street which were . owned by. Lola Chata. Tia Naty and Don Demetrio were the parents of my cousins Jose, Carmencita Nicasio, Celso, Lourdes, Severo and Teresing Tuason. Lola Vieja kept a constantly burning lamp before her shrine of saints, a promise which she made during the revolution for my' father’s safety. She died at a very advanced age. I will not forget Lola Ghata’s desperate cry when her mother was in agony. Lola Vieja had a brother who came to pay his respects as she lay in state. It was one. of the rare occasions that I saw him. He was tall, handsome and erect, and he refused to approach the coffin. As a young boy, I was, often privy to important family sessions which took place in Lola Chata’s dining room. One of these sessions was for the purpose of suggesting the names of prominent and suitable young ladies to my Tio Salvador, then a most eligible bachelor. He was the prince consort of Pura Villanueva (later Mrs. Kalaw) when she reigned as the first carnival queen of Manila. Tio Salvador was resplendent in a red uniform patterned after the Hussars’. Another memorable family session in Lola Chata’s dining room was for the purpose of rekindling the' faith in my Tio Elias. He had just returned then from his studies in London where he seemed to have lost the faith. The session must have failed, for I remember the weight of sorrow in my parents’ steps as they rètired upstairs at the end of that evening. A woman of faith and prayer, Lola Chata did not lose heart and was like Santa Monica in her pleadings for my Tio Elias. Later in life, she had the joy of seeing her Agustín—my Tio Elias—become a very devout Catholic and a daily communicant. By choice, the family church was San Sebastian church, although Quiapo was the parish church, where for some years, Father Manuel Roxas, a first cousin of our Lola Chata, was the parish priest. All the weddings of my uncles and aunts, and that of my brother Jose, took place in San Sebastian church, while the wedding parties were held in our home. In those days it was thè custom to exhibit all the wedding presents in one room, so that the guests could appreciate them. However, the wedding parties then did not entail spending a fortune the way they do at present. The wedding breakfast'or' dinner was served in the home—often a tenten-pie affair, a word no longer in use today. Jose’s marriage was the last big celebration in our San Sebastian home during Father’s lifetime. In my cáse, I preferred not to have a wedding party, and my other brothers and sisters were married after Father’s death. ' After my uncles g;ot married and the second floor became small for us, Lola Chata, together with Tiá Margarita moved to a house’ which was adjoining ours. Thè four older boys were then given two of the rooms on the first floor, and the other two rooms adjoining ours were converted into a law office for Father. Father's friends, and the socials we had My father had a remarkable number > of friends and among the most intimate were Dr. Jose Albert and his wife Dolores. As our family physician, Dr. Albert assisted -at the birth òf all fourtéen of us (we were all born in father’s- home). His wife, Doña Loléng was mother’s close friend since their student days at Sta. Isabel College late in . the 19th century. Doña Loleng was my godmother and I was nicknamed Loling after her. This was how I was called in the family until I became old enough to realize that the name was not suited to a boy. When I was about twelve years old, I insisted on being called Salvador, and would not answer anyone who called me Loling. Recently when I attended the 45th wedding anniversary of Ben Legarda, he insisted on calling me Loling and not Salvador. It was a tradition for us to attend the annual family gathering in Dr. Albert’s house in Zurbaran to celebrate his feastday on March 19; but I still recall one, when still a small boy, at Calle Campa, in Binondo. Father was also close to the Roxas family, one of whom was Don Felix, my grandmother’s first cousin. Lola Chata was also a cousin of Don Francisco Roxas, who was condemned to death by the Spaniards during the Philippine revolution. At the recommendation of Don Felix, Father became the attorney-in-fact of the family’s property in Manila when they left for France after suffering that great tragedy. And it was through Don Felix that Father was introduced to Mother. Don Felix and Father although not classmates were contemporaries in Sto. Tomas in the Law School. For one or two years, they shared the same room in a boarding house, the beginning of a lifelong, friendship. Later in life, Don Felix became what we would call today a “col­ umnist” in the EL DEBATE. Thanks to some of his columns which are to be translated into English and published soon, incidents of Father’s life, recounted by Father to us, have come back to my memory. One is the incident he had with the Guardia Civil. Assisted by Don Juan Jose Icaza, the famous lawyer under whom Father started his practice of law, he obtained what Don Felix called a Decree without precedent, issued by the Governor General dissolving a unit of the Guardia Civil. This incident made Father quite a hero, for vindicating the dignity of the Filipino against the abuses of the hated Guardia Civil.1 1 We reproduce Don Felix’s column entitled “A Decree without Precedent.” Several days ago I had a chance to pass by a building at the corner of Palacio and San Agustin streets in Intramuros. This edifice evoked memories of my student days as it housed the mezzanine apartments which I shared with three fellow students of law, namely Pedro Herrera, who became a public official of the Department of Finance; José Lozada, who later became a fiscal of Binondo, and Gregorio Araneta, who later became a member of the law firm headed by that learned and eminent lawyer, José Juan de Ycaza. This group, composed of two Spaniards and two Filipinos, got along magnifi­ cently, all of us sharing a common but well-stocked table and all of us enjoying comfortable, clean and well-ventilatêd quarters. I distinctly recall that fateful night of 1892 when a younger townmate of Gre­ gorio Araneta, Melliza by name and closely related to the well-known , Don Ray- mundo, approached the latter to solicit his help in recovering a stray horse which had fallen into the hands of the local policei garrison, then located on Magallanes street in Intramuros. Araneta promised to help the young man by accompanying him to the police statioii where they tried to inform the person in charge of their purpose in coming. Without looking at his visitors and in an arrogant tone, the police corporal who had removed his uniform and was clad only in his undershirt angered the visitors with his discourteous and evasive answers to their petition for tli6 rclôsse of the horse« The battle of words so continued that in desperation, Araneta, remarked “Don’t come out with those abrupt decisions.” Thé policeman did hot like Araneta’s re­ marks and a fit of fury assaulted him, causing thé latter to bleed at the mouth and the nose. It was at this precise moment that the lieutenant, who was chief of the detachment, heard the rumpus below and seeing the bloody incident, ordered that a basin of water and bandages be brought to the injured visitor. < Then called the Guardia Civil Veterana. The other column-of Don Felix > gives us a glimpse of life in Manila among the young báchélors at the’efi'd! of the last century.2 Father was a good friend of Don Vicente Singson Encarnación who once invited him to put some capitál in::a coconut oil plant which was organized by Mr. Chesley, an American. Operating immediately after World War I, the plant iiiade very good profits during the first two years. Originally located on a side*1 street in Tanduay, beside the estero, the plant was expanded and transferred to Paco, beside the Pasig River. What started out as a good venture became a great loss when the depression came in the late ’20s. Thé price of coconut oil in the world market dipped drastically. As president of the corporation, my father had signed guarantees which he had to redeem and which set him back financially. From this experience, my father taught me that coconut oil invest­ ment could be very risky. The domestic producer could get his fingers burned, because of great fluctuations in world prices—over which he has no control and no sufficient information to foresee. Araneta cooled down and went back to’our apartment. After finding out what happened to their roommate, his Spanish friends counseled him to seek thé advice and opinion, of Don José Juan Ycaza, president of the Association of Lawyers. At about 11:00 o’clock that night—4vhich-was said to be the best time to see Ycaza—Araneta sought an audience with the famous barrister at his law office in what is now the Delmonico Hotel. After hearing what had- happened to Araneta, Ycaza took him along in his open carriage to the Ayuntamiento ,to the- Civil Governor of Manila, the Marquis of Palmerola, to complain .against police brutality. The city official, who was profoundly moved by the incident, invited Ycaza and Araneta to go with him to Malacanangi to see the Captain General, Don Eulogio Despujol, the Count of Caspe and uncle ofr the Marquis. The Captain General, who was about'to retire, received the visitors even at that late hour of 11:30, thinking that something urgent which needed his intervention might have happened. Without less of time, Araneta recounted the incident which ended in the assault on his person. The supporting protest of the association of Lawyers and the mani­ fest indignation of the Civil Governor of Manila culminated in an unusual decree released by the Captain General. The decree, signed by him and published thé fol­ lowing day in the Manila- Gazette, ordered the dissolution of the Cuerpos de la Veterana, the municipal police. The decree pleased the Filipinos very much, but the other segment of the public just kept quiet as if to say: “Let us see how this will end.” 2 We reproduce Don Felix’s column entitled “Sabas del Rosario.” It was on one of those mornings last May, [1934] while sorting out my in­ coming letters, that I came across a short note scribbled by a real estate agent who was offering to me his brand-new office located on the ground floor of a building located on Calle Obando in the Sta. Cruz district. I did not hesitate in looking him up because he was in possession of certain materials that I needed very badly. I crossed Calle Blumentritt in San Juan, where I resided, in order to be able to get some of transportation which would take me to this agent’s office. I hailed a Yellow taxicab and gave the driver the address. In less than 15 minutes I arrived at my destination. Due to the limited seating space in the taxicab I experienced some difficulty in going out as in coming in. In answer to my insistent knocking at the door of the office, a clerk appeared and told me that his chief was out at the moment. I left my calling card arid in­ formed him that I would coirie back later. - Left alone, I surveyed my surroundings arid. sensed something familiar in the place, starting from where I was dropped by the taxicab driver. I pursued my way, searching for Dasmaririas Street, walking slowly the better to get my bearings until I reached Calle Gandara. I stopped for a moment to recollect memories I had of a certain street near Gandara which in past years I had often frequented. All of a Don Alejandro Roces, founder of modern journalism in the Phil­ ippines was among Father’s closest friends. Father enjoyed Don Ale­ jandro’s conversation and sallies and he used to visit often in the Roces home in Vito Cruz and in the summerhouse in Baguio. Father’s lifetime friends included Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano, Don Florentino Torres, Don Ignacio Villamor, Don Victorino Mapa, Don Simplicio del Rosario, Don Ruperto Montinola, Don Leopoldo Kahn, Don Juan Sumulong, Don Jose Fernandez (of Compania Maritima), Don Ramon Fernandez, Don Vicente Madrigal, and our San Sebastian neighbors—the Tuazons, Prietos, Legardas, Valdezes, Patemos and Genatos. In the legal profession, he was particularly fond of Ramon Avan- cena and Felicisimo Feria. He had a high regard for both and was happy to see them being gradually promoted in the government service, promotions which finally made of Don Ramon Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. During his brief political career, my father became close to Don sudden I remembered the del Rosario mansion which was the first house at your right side when you entered a street then known as Espeleta Street. This mansion was owned by Don Sabas del Rosario a well-known sportsman. It enjoyed during the administration of Governor General Eulogio Despujol the distinction of offering the most sought-after parties and receptions and for holding the best attended social affair in Manila to which only the elite of society were invited irresistibly attracted perhaps by the elegance, the social graces, and the personal charms of the three women of the del Rosario family. The lady of the house was Dona Mariquita, her eldest daughter was Paquita, while her younger one answered to the name of Lolita. In these three members of this family were gathered those special qualities which entitled them to be considered the best-dressed members of their set in the country. They came to be regarded as fashion arbiters and .were considered models of smartly-dressed Filipinos, - a unique position which they enjoyed for some time and which every one recbgnizéd and ad­ mired as theirs. Moreover, each of the three were devotees to different branches of the fine arts. Dona Mariquita was dedicated to landscapes and portrait painting during her leisure time; Paquita was an adept concert pianist, conversant in playing such classical pieces that always appealed to a select crowd; and Lolita was a singer of no mean ability who had trained under renowned professors of the time. This talented threesome almost always performed théir respective specialties twice a week in superbly administered receptions in their palatial home. It was therefore, no wonder that these gatherings acquired such fame and reputation as to be considered the paradise of illustrious Filipinos. The beauty, elegance, and cultural accomplishments of the two del Rosario sisters could not but draw the admiration of the eligible bachelors who used to grace the del Rosario veladas with their presence. Lolita had a long list of admirers who rivaled one another in seeking her hand in marriage. Dr. Salvador V. del Rosario, the refined scion of the family of that name, was one of the many who were after her, but it was to the bright and popular Totoy Osorio of Cavite that she got married. This marriage marked the beginning of the return of calmness and tranquility which was always enjoyed by the del Rosarios before the year 1892. . . As to Paquita, reliable sources later on disclosed that among those who were captivated by her beauty and charm were Macario Arndo, tjie efficient provincial governor of Pampanga, and Gregorio Araneta, the barrister. Paquita, however, finally succumbed to the call of Cupid by marrying Benito Legarda, later Resident Commissioner of the Philippines to the United States. Their wedding was one of the biggest social affairs of the season and the newlyweds resided in the old palace of the Count of Aviles on San Sebastian street. The marriage and consequent separation of t}\e two daughters left Dona Mari­ quita alone and dampened her former fervor and enthusiasm for social affairs in their house. This kept her so uneasy that she had to abandon even her dedication to painting. The absence of these moving spirits in the lavish social offerings of the del Rosarios at Espeleta Street in thé district'of Santa Cruz had relegated that so-called earthly Eden into eventual oblivion and obscurity. Eulogio Rodriguez, Alfonso Mendoza, Teodoro Sandico and a score of other political leaders of both the Progresista and the Demócrata Parties, who supported his candidacy without expecting any return. Among his American friends, whom I recall, I would include Gov­ ernor General Taft, Governor General Forbes, Justice Johnson, Justice Street, Justice Ostrand, Atty. Gibbs, Fisher, Ross, Hausserman, De- Witt and Perkins, and his associates in business, Messrs. Gachés, Heil- bron, Beilis and Springer. Father’s position as vice president of Insular Life and Philippine Guaranty brought him in close association with Don Francisco Ortigas, Jose McMicking Sr., Enrique Zobel. and Vicente Singson Encarnación. In Catholic circles, Father was very close to the Jesuit fathers, to the Dominicans, to Monsignor Piani, the Apostolic Nuncio and to Arch­ bishop Dougherty. Among the Jesuits I should mention in particular Fr. Villalonga, Fr. Anguela, and Fr. Singuion. Among the laymen he worked with Don Angel Ansaldo, Gabriel Lao, Leoncio M. Aranda, and Jose Delgado, the only one of Father’s generation who is still strong today. With this huge host of congenial friends, my father and mother shared and enjoyed a full social life. They gave and attended parties which were held to celebrate family milestones or mark state occasions, in which my father, as a government official, had a part. I can recall the great excitement which rippled in Manila society upon the arrival of Governor General Francis Burton Harrison, a New Yorker, who had a lovely wife. He was succeeding William Cameron Forbes, a bachelor who seemed to prefer polo to the ladies. It was felt that with a First Lady at last, Malacañang would again be the center of social life. Understandably then there was much enthusiasm over the party which Governor and Mrs. Harrison gave in Malacañang to usher in the change of administration. My mother had ordered a new ball gown from her couturier who was one of the two most sought-after modistes in Manila, despite the fact that she was always late in delivering a dress. Mother waited for more than an hour for her new ball gown which was delivered hardly in time for her to make the Malacañang party. But the waiting seemed to have been worth the gown which had a white blouse and a crimson skirt. When Mother’s portrait was painted by Rafael Martinez, she was wearing that gown. This life-size portrait hangs in the entrance hallway of my brother Luis’ house. My parents’ social life took us to various places around Manila. Once we attended a party in Binondo, in the home of the famous Chino Velasco. There, for the first time, I saw the Chinese ladies with the small, stunted feet whose growth was prevented by iron stays. They were the aristocrats, following a rigid and seemingly cruel custom, as­ signing to small feet not just esthetic value but also social meaning. Another time, we went to Santa Cruz during the district fiesta to a dance in the home of the Reyes-Lunas. During that party, the bachelor Manuel Quezon was the star dancer who seemed to have his eye on one particularly beautiful girl. Occasionally, my parents even went out of town to attend parties. From the chronicle of Don Felix Roxas, I learned of a ball they attended in Malolos to celebrate the proclamation of the first Philippine Republic after the approval of the Malolos Constitution in 1899. My parents were honored by General Aguinaldo, ju3t proclaimed President of the Republic, when he chose Mother for his partner in the rigodon de honor. In our youth, our parents organized occasional dances at home. There was one I remember, which was held on a Sunday from five o’clock in the afternoon to ten o’clock in the evening a few weeks after Pepe and I returned from Europe. At other times the dances were held to celebrate birthdays. These parties, Mother told me, were different from the ones she attended in her teens. There were frequent dances in her father’s house, but these parties were very simple and inexpensive. Since there was no electricity then, the light came from quinque and oil lamps with tinkoy. Music, she said, was provided by young boys playing haranas or seranades, and not by professional musicians something which today, we see as a theater exhibition of our Bayanihan and Filipinescas and other semi-professional dancing groups, but which has ceased to be a way of life of our youth who have become too Americanized and have adopted the bad habit of sticking out the whole evening with their par­ ticular dates. Mother said, they enjoyed these parties perhaps more than the youth of my time and of today. During Father’s time, social visits were customary as it was con­ sidered a way of showing one’s friendship. During the last years of the Spanish regime, the route of those who went on a ride in a calesin or a carriage to relax and exhibit themselves, was San Sebastian Street, turning to Sampaloc Street (now Legarda) up to the Carriedo fountain at the circle where Sta. Mesa Street starts. Indeed, San Sebastian Street (now R. Hidalgo) and Gen. Solano St. followed by Aviles (now J. P. Laurel) and Calle Real in Ermita and Malate (now M. H. del Pilar) were the reputed aristocratic areas where splendid mansions were located. During his bachelor days, one of his close friends, Don Salvador del Rosario, the father of Mariano and Monching, used to be the constant companion of Father in his rides in the evenings, following that route. And it is the irony of life that Mariano, his son, in his usual business­ like efficiency, a few minutes after the death of Father, came to the house, offering the services of his funeral parlor, and was sent out by my brother, Jose, most unceremoniously. Father used to visit his friends on Sunday mornings. This was his custom for many years. Mother, who was retiring by nature, often preferred to remain at home to take care of the younger children. More­ over, father made it a point to visit acquaintances who were very sick in order to invite them to receive the sacraments. Father’s Public Service When Judge William Howard Taft of Cleveland, Ohio, was as­ signed to supervise over Philippine affairs as Governor General, he started a series of hearings to obtain the views of Filipino lawyers on procedural reforms in our courts of justice. During those hearings, Father’s brilliant oral exposition in English, a language that he had just learned, caused a good impression'on thé Governor General. The position of Solicitor General was especially created by Gov­ ernor Taft to accommodate Father as the Nò. 2 man in the Attorney General’s office, next to Mr. Wifley. It was Father’s luck that Mr. Wifley was not very outstanding. Several American Governors relied more on Father than on Mr. Wifley. In a way, Father had an advantage. Being a Filipino, he knew thè people and the country better. All appointments and promotions in the judiciary were initiated by him, and due to his sound selection of good Filipino judges, the prestige of the Philippine Judiciary and thè Fili­ pinos’ capacity to administer competent justice were to a large extent vindicated. Soon Father became the Attorney General and the Secretary of Finance and Justice. As Secretary of Finance and Justice, Father worked in the Ayunta- miento de Manila. On a few occasions, I would fetch him in the quiles and would go up to his office on the second floor. His office was not far from that of Speaker Sergio Osmena’s which was in the center of the building. Although I never met Don Sergio nor was asked to enter his office, I often caught a glimpse of the splendid chandelier hanging in the room which had three or four doors opening to the wide corridor. These doors were always open during: office hours, and the speaker’s office itself was given the needed privacy by folding persianas of about one meter high, leaving the upper and lower portions of the door open. The Ayuntamiento building was so-called from Spanish times and even after. It became the seat of the insular (not national) govern­ ment and was a very dignified place with very few people and hardly any activity, the place seemed hushed by its very dignity. What a great difference from the government offices now where receptionists and clerks abound, and the corridors are alive with people! Father Was most punctual in all his appointments, and very critical of what was then called thè Filipino time. When he was an executive in the Government, he was among the. first to arrive in the office. He was admired by Americans and Filipinos for his executive abilities. In the deliberations of the Philippine Commission (then the Upper House of the Legislative Department), he was known to carry the discussion on the essential issue involved, more in the nature of a round-table con­ ference, considering the small number of its members. Those were the days when Father was an important personality in the Government. His prestige among the Filipinos in the government was next to that of Osmena, the head of the. Philippine Assembly, of Quezon as our spokesman in America and of Don Cayetano Arellano, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. With the triumph of the Democrats in America in 1912 under President Wilson, thè Republican regime in the Philippines, which started with William H. Taft as the first Civil Governor of the Philippines, came to an end. with Governor Forbes as the last American governor general of that era. When Harrison became Governor General, Father tendered his courtesy resignation. However, considering his èxcellént record, I be­ lieve Father was hopeful that he would be invited to rèinain in the Cabinet. This false hope was due to the fact that Father was not a politician, and did not fully realize that a department secretaryship was a political and not a career position. After his resignation from public office, Father took his brother- in-law, Salvador Zaragoza, as a partner in a law office on the first floor of our San Sebastian house. One of his assistants was Nachito Icaza, son of the illustrious lawyer Don Juan Icaza, with Whom Father worked after graduating from Sto. Tomas. Another assistant lawyer was Ma­ nuel Lim, who continued to work for the firm for several years even after Father’s death. Returning from abroad on December 24, 1923, I joined Father’s office as a practising lawyer. By this time thè officè was transferred to a more spacious room on the second floor of the Bank of P.I. building. One or two years later, Rafael Dinglasan joined the office and stayed until 1927. A few years later, Francisco Capistrano also joined. Event­ ually Dinglasan became Solicitor General, Capistrano a Justice of the Supreme Court, and Manuel Lim, a member of the Constitutional Con­ vention, then successively, Secretary of Education and of Commerce. Father had clients from many sectors. He was the lawyer of Que­ zon and Osmeiia ini the famous Board of Control casé; of Dòn Ramon Fernandez, Vicente Madrigal and Vicente Singson, when the Philippine National Bank, at the direction of Governor Wood wanted to make them responsible for a certain PNB transaction; of Dòn Manuel Ynchausti, who later became my very good and loyal friend; of Don Enrique Yuchengco, of Dòn Jacinto Francisco of Binang, of the Tuàsòn families, of the Archbishop of Manila, of the Bank of P.I. and of several cor­ porations where he was also a director. A few years after the launching of his law office, Father was in­ vited by the Sto Tomas University to be a Professor of Law. He- ac­ cepted a teaching load of one hour three days a week. Among his most illustrious students were Vice President Fernando Lopez, Chief-Justice Roberto Concepcion, and my good friend Congressman Miguel Cuenco. During my last two years as a law student in Sto. Tomas, Father became my professor in Property and Successions and in Obligation and Contracts. We were a small class of about twenty students, and were given monthly written examinations which Father personally corrected in spite of his extensive law practice. Father and the Federalista Party Father was one of the founders of the Federalista Party which advocated the incorporation of the Philippines into the United States as a state of the union. With the benefit of the hindsight of history, of world events and American behavior , towards the colored people, we can say that this move was a mistake. Fortunately, this Federalista proposal was met by Mr. EHju Root, who was then Secretary of War, with wisdom and frankness. , He explained the American position to Don Felipe Buencamino Sr., the emissary of the Federalista Party who purposely went to Washington and was received by Mr. Root. In re­ jecting the idea of statehood for the Philippines, Mr. Root said that he was already foreseeing the Negro problem. Mr. Root expressed the. fear that if the Philippines were admitted to the Federal Union, the Filipinos together with the colored people of America would become the deciding group in many national issues. Faced with this reality, the Federalista Party was shortlived and thereafter became the Progresista Party of which Don Juan Sumulong and Vicente Singson Encarnación, in time, became the spokesmen. This party was guided by the same aspirations of our hero Dr. Jose Rizal, who believed in fighting for Philippine autonomy and representation in the Cortes; not for absolute independence at that stage of our develop­ ment. Father, Paterno, Legarda, and many others, have been criticized for having given up too soon the fight of arms against America. Even though I am a nationalist, I am inclined to believe, being a realist and a man of peace, that I would have done the same under the circum­ stances. At that time, it was futile to continue fighting against the Americans. And history, impartial history, has vindicated the wisdom of their stand. Vietnam today is a very different case. Vietnam has behind it China and Russia. At that time, perhaps we might have manuevered to get the support of Japan or Germany, but that would have just shown an ill-advised preference for other masters. We should remember that at the turn of the century, history was moving towards the culmination of political imperialism, just as today, the world is moving towards the culmination of economic imperialism, which will expand, linger and finally be vanquished in about ten to twenty years. This fight we hope will be won in. the Philippines in the forthcoming Constitutional Convention. Father’s Political Career Father had a winning personality with his friends, but he was not a good politician nor did he aspire to be the leader of any party. He was prevailed upon to run in the first election for senators under the banner of the opposition Party, a . fusion of the Progresista and the Demócrata parties. He was to run for Senator in the fourth district (Manila, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite) with General Sandico as his run­ ning mate, and against Rafael Palma and Pedro Gueyarra. I still recall that evening when a big delegation of about a hundred people, headed by Don Eulogio Rodriguez, Don Alfonso Mendoza and Don Ciríaco Santiago went to our house to offer him the nomination. They were all younger than Father. I was already fourteen years old and I remember many of the scenes during that campaign which began with the short speech that Father gave at the entrance of the house and with the formal acceptance before a packed Opera House days later. Father was not an accomplished extemporaneous speaker, but he was better than I have ever been. His forte was in debates and in pre­ senting oral legal arguments. He had the tendency to be quite vehe­ ment in his political speeches. Although I was quite young then, I noticed that during his acceptance speech at the Opera House, in his excitement he would slowly bend his knees slightly reducing his height in the process. Father and Sandico lost because their party had no popular issue to counter their opponent’s platform which was independence. More­ over, Father was a Visayan who could hardly talk Tagalog in his cam­ paign which covered the four Tagalog regions. He could have had a better chance in the Visayas. However a good friend of his, Governor Ruperto Montinola, was running in that territory. Father’s short-lived political attempt and the campaign which co­ vered four provinces cost him a total of about eighteen thousand pesos, the equivalent of about one hundred thousand pesos, in today’s money. That was Father’s first and last involvement with politics. Father, always a sincere man, could not subscribe to the Naciona- lista platform of demanding absolute, complete and immediate indepen­ dence, a status that even at this late hour, after our formal independence since 1946, we have not obtained with the presence of American bases in the Philippines. In the last year of his life, Father learned to like Osmena and Quezon (in spite of their different political views). The relationship he had with these two Filipino leaders is revealed by incidents which touched Father’s life and theirs. I recall the last public speech of Father in English in 1927, a few days before my marriage. He read it loud, several times in his room, with me as his audience. Father was one of the speakers in the Memo­ rial Services conducted at the Luneta for Governor Wood who had died a few days before, and Quezon was present when the speech was deli­ vered in the Luneta. One or two hours later, Quezon visited my father at home to suggest a small change in the speech. I do. not recall now what was the change suggested, but it was a minor one, and Father did not hesitate, to accept President Quezon’s suggestion. What I do recall, was my wonder, that Quezon should take the trouble of visiting Father just to suggest a change, which to me was rather inconsequen­ tial. Another incident in Father’s life which I do not forget was when I was riding with him in a car on Dewey Blvd. We met President Quezon riding in the opposite direction, when all of a sudden I heard “Goyo, Goyo” coming from that other car. It was Quezon, who in his natural exuberance was lifting himself from his seat and holding high his hand to salute my father. I was then very young, and that gesture of President Quezon made me realize his great personality, his alertness and his political savvy. ‘ What I remember of the relations of Osmena to my father, was the call that he received from Osmena to visit him in his house in Le- garda St., where Osmena was then living. It was to offer him the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a position that was offered on two occasions, and which he had to decline because of his substantial obligation to the Philippine National Bank. The appoint­ ment had to; come from the Governor General, but apparently the Gov­ ernor General relied on Osmena to make the necessary contacts and it was Osmena who was asked by the Governor for advice. Taft in one of his letters to Uncle Salvador, mentioned that his advice was also asked and that father’s name was the one he had recommended. Father never left the Philippines in his whole life. He had the occasion and was invited by the Governor General of the Philippines to go to the States in two American expositions, the one in St. Louis and the one in San Diego, but he declined in both cases. I recall that in the St. Louis Exposition, the Philippine Government sent the Philippine Constabulary band which was famous at that time, and a group of Igorots were sent as part of our: Exhibition. This action of the Amer­ ican Government was highly criticized by the Filipino press of the time which was very nationalistic. One of the lessons that Father gave to his children was to have faith in America. But the history of Philippine-American relations after the grant of independence, the period of the alleged special rela­ tions, would not have made Father happy. I am confident that consi­ dering his frankness and sincerity, traits that we have inherited from him, he would have been as vocal as some of his children in expressing, not anti-American feelings, but criticisms of American policies in the Philippines. The last years of Father’s life After I finished the Law course at Sto. Tomas University, I was sent to the United States to study at Harvard for one academic year. I was then twenty years old, the first of Father’s children to go abroad. The eve of my departure was the only time I saw Father cry, even for just a séparation of seventeen months. I left in August, immediately after the bar examination to catch the school year in the States. When my studies were finished at Harvard, I took the long way home through Europe but was back in Manila before Christmas of the following year.* 1 During my absence, Father sent me letters in his own handwriting, always expressing concern about my studies and my welfare. He ad­ vised me to visit his good friend Chief Justice Taft; but as he was vacationing in Canada, I wrote him a letter instead, and received a very

11 remember our return toi Manila from Hongkong. In going around the world, I had taken the best boats plying the route: The Empress of Canada to Vancouver, with a stop of one week in Hongkong; The Leviathan crossing the Atlantic, the lie de France from Marseilles to Hongkong. But we (my brother Jose, Manuel Matute courteous reply where he said that my father was the best lawyer in the Philippines. While I was away, my father had a difficult year. He was suffer­ ing from diabetes, which was worsened by his heavy work schedule which he undertook in order to recover from the depression which fol­ lowed the big boom on the coconut oil industry. At that time, diabetes could not be so conveniently controlled with tablets, as it is today. In­ sulin had just been introduced in Manila, but only one physician was using it and with great care. I recall that Father had only a short treatment of insulin because it seemed then that a continuous treatment was not considered good. The remedy that was prescribed then for diabetes consisted of daily exercises such as long walks, to burn up the sugar in the blood. Father always took his periodic long walks along Dewey Boulevard, usually in the afternoons when he was not lecturing at Sto. Tomas. Father walked straight with a handsome gait that was admired by men. He covered the whole, distance from the old Elks Club to where the Admiral Apart­ ments now stand. As an exercise, Father also played golf, usually at the Old Wack Wack, now called Grace Park, and at the Baguio Country Club during the summer months.. About one or two years before he. died when I played with him as I usually did, he noticed with surprise and not with­ out some satisfaction,, that he was not as tired as I was after nine holes. For my part, I was delighted at his stamina. Father was then teaching Civil Law at the Sto. Tomas University and I took his place in class during the few times when he was not feeling well. One evening, he told me that he had chest pains which made me quite worried. Upon examination of his blood and other re­ lated tests, however, the doctors found nothing wrong with him. Many times, I have reflected that it was in Iloilo where I received the new year when Father died. I was already married and Victoria and I received that new year in her paternal home in Calle Isnart, and both of us were particularly unhappy and exasperated at the deafening noise of the fire­ crackers exploding in the. neighborhood. When we returned to Manila by boat, I was particularly moved at the sight of my Father waiting for us at the Muelle de la Industria. He was rather sad because my sister Pacita was then sick and confined at the Singian Institute, con­ sidered the best hospital in Manila at that time. I remember, our last day together in the law office on the second and I) arrived in Hongkong without the reservation we thought had been arranged. We had to be satisfied in boarding a small cargo boat, not the regular passenger boat that we expected to take, in which Mr. Fritz Kauffman and his wife Ramona Gay a cousin of father, were booked. (Thé Kauffmans were very close to the family, Mr. Kauffman being the godfather of my youngest brother, Francisco, the Jesuit. Adopted from his godfather’s name, Francisco is nicknamed Fritz). The two boats left Hongkong at the same time; ours, in fact, left a few minutes later. Much to oui* surprise, however, our little boat proved to be faster than the passenger liner, and we passed it some two hours after leaving Hongkong. We were able to reach Manila at 4:00 p.m; on Christmas Eve. On the other hand, the liner reached Manila after the port had been closed for the day, and the passengers were only able to land on Christmas day. floor of the Bank of the Philippine Islands. We had a short meeting and he asked me if I would join him that afternoon to visit the farm in Novaliches. The farm gave him much-needed relaxation during the last five years of his life. I was then married and had one child, and since I was very fond of reading books on economics, I excused myself. So he brought along with him instead my younger brother Antonio, who was already practising law with us. Imagine my sorrow and consternation when Antonio telephoned at about five o’clock in the afternoon to tell me of Father’s serious con­ dition. I was told that at noon, all my unmarried brothers and sisters, eleven in all, had lunch with Father and Mother in our house. They noticed that Father was unusually gay and happy. Four hours later, he was to have a brain stroke, as he walked about the farm, inspecting some houses. My wife and I were living in her parents’ home at 1140 California St. That fateful afternoon I visited Don Carlos Ledesma, my wife’s uncle, who was in very bad health for sometime without actually being bedridden. I believe that was the last time I talked with him, for he also died, although much later than Father. I mentioned these circumstances because I have pondered several times on the irony of that visit. While I was visiting Don Carlos and wondering how many more months he would still live, at that very moment, my own father, who was apparently healthy and strong, had the stroke which killed him within 26 hours. When I reached Father’s bed, Dr. Gregorio Singian, a dear friend of Father, was attending him. Later, however, he left and never re­ turned. He knew that the end was near, and did not attempt to give the family any false hopes. But we did not lose hope. I even went to Dr. Burke to get him interested in Father’s case. There was also a doctor who wanted to save the life of Father up to the last moment. He was the good Dr. Manuel Tuason, a brother-in- law of my uncle Salvador Zaragoza. I saw how Dr. Tuason pulled out Father’s tongue when he was, I am afraid, already dead. The stroke took place on a Saturday (March 8, 1930), the end came on Sunday afternoon, and the interment took place in the afternoon of the following day, Monday. All the writings of Father I had brought and kept in our law office in the Insular Life Bldg., a sevèn storey concrete building dur­ ing the Japanese occupation, thinking that it was the safest place to keep our memorabilia. But all our law books, records and papers were destroyed by fire during the liberation, and most of what I am writing is from memory and very little from exact record. I recall that once or twice I suggested to Father that he should write his memoirs. But he never saw the need for it, He only said, “you might write it yourself one day.” And this is it; after all, what remains unforgotten after these many years are perhaps the only thing worth passing on to the shadow of. history—how life was in Manila during the first three decades of thra century. Father’s death, and ten years later, the Second World War, are the two events that have profoundly affected my life so that my outlook changed from one of receiving to one of giving. Many times, Father’s memory and the spiritual heritage that he has left us, have guided my actions. I believe I can say he lives—inspiring, controlling, guiding my life. Index

Abreu, Jose C., 13, 46 72, 92 Administrative Code of the Philippines, return to private law practice, 14-15, 15, 89 43, 52, 60, 157 Adriano, Numeriano, 40 legal prowess, 14-15, 43, 47, 59, 61, Aguinaldo, Emilio, 41 63, 65, 77, 88 Albert, Dolores, 150-151 Medina v. Rafferty, 15, 43, 59, 61 Albert, Jose, 91, 141, 150-151 Sarasola v. Yu Biao, Sontua, 15, Albert, Natividad, 32 43, 59, 61 American, government, policy of, 13, 37, Concepcion v. Paredes, 15 42, 46-47 business acumen, 15, 43, 61, 72, 77 Anderson, Thomas, 41 professor of Civil Law, 15, 44, 52, Antillon, Toribio, 134 94-96, 157 Ansaldo, Angel, 154 fight for independence of the judi­ Aranda, Leoncio, 154 ciary, 15 Araneta, Amado, J., 154 declined appointment as Chief Jus­ Araneta, Angel (brother), 148 tice of the Supreme Court, 16, 34, Araneta, Antonio (son), 25, 26, 44, 83, 96 43, 68-69, 73-74, 77, 78, 160 Araneta, Buenaventura Sta. Ana, 145 political career, 158-159 Araneta, Consuelo (daughter), 96 character and personality, 16-17, 32- Araneta, Eva, 145 33, 40, 43, 44, 49, 50, 83 Araneta, Felix y Militante (father), 39, 147 ethical principles, 16-17, 34, 43, Araneta, Francisco (son), 10, 51, 96 44, 68-69, 73, 77, 78, 83, 93, Araneta, Gregorio 137 birth and parentage, 12, 39, 46, 51, fervent catholic, 9, 32, 44, 61, 63, 71, 147 72, 78, 79, 83, 137 boyhood and education, 12, 39, 71 gregarious nature, 40 academic excellence, 12, 39, 71 hobbies and sports, 49, 144, 145 law studies, 12, 39, 51, 71, 94 rule of conduct, 9, 50, 72, 83, early law practice, 12, 39, 46 137 clash with guardia civil, 40, 151-152 marriage, 44, 52, 72 patriotic activities, 12, 35, 40, 55, 71, home and family, 18, 24, 32, 49, 52, 91 61, 82, 137, 143 public service, 5-6, 12-14, 18, 20, 34, sons and descendants, 18, 24, 35, 37, 41-43, 47-48, 155-157 52, 82-83, 96 auxiliary registrar of deeds, 12 ancestors, 145-146 city prosecuting attorney, 12 relations, 147-149 acting Fiscal of the Audiencia Ter­ in-laws, 149-150 ritorial, 40 close friends and associates, 151- acting Attorney General of the 152, 153-154 Audiencia, 12, 46 last years of his life, 160-162 member of the Commission to Inter­ death, 17, 44, 52, 61, 82, 85-88, view General Thomas Anderson, 162 41, 52 appraisals, honors, and tributes, 7, member, Philippine Consultative As­ 14, 17-18, 20, 24, 32-33, 34, 36, sembly, 12, 52 37, 51 member, Committee organized to contributions to his country, 5, 15, draft the Philippine Constitution, 23, 35, 42, 44, 45, 48, 49, 55, 12, 22, 41, 52, 71 62-63, 65-66, 75, 92, 94, 156 secretary of the Malolos Congress, Araneta, Jose (son), 96, 138, 150 13, 21, 41, 52, 71, 77, 92 Araneta, Juan, 146 secretary of justice in Aguinaldo’s Araneta, Ma. Luis (son), 40, 96 Cabinet, 13, 41, 52. 60, 71, 77 Araneta, Marciano, 145 Associate Justice of the Audiencia Araneta, Pablo (brother), 82, 142, 145, under General Otis, 37, 42, 47, 146, 147-148 52, 92 Araneta, Pacita (daughter), 139 Solicitor General under Governor Araneta, Ramon (son), 96, 138 Taft, 13, 42, 47, 52, 60, 62, 66, Araneta, Ramon, 146 72, 74, 77, 92 Araneta, Rosita (daughter), 96 Attorney General, 14, 37, 42, 48, 52, Araneta, Salvador (son), 8, 25, 35, 44, 60, 62, 74, 77, 92 83, 96 Secretary of Finance and Justice, 14, early memories of, 135-136, 137-151 17, 38, 43, 48, 52, 55, 60, 62, Araneta, Teodoro, 145 66, 72, 75, 77, 92, 156 Araneta. Vicente (son). 10. 96, 138 member, Philippine Commission. 38, Araneta, Vicente Sta. Ana, 145 Araullo, Manuel, 13, 42, 43, 47, 74, 92 Jose, Luis, 10 Arce, Carmen, 149 Justa, 139 Arellano, Arcadio, iii Arellano, Cayetano, 13, 41, 42, 46, 47, Kahn, Leopoldo, 144, 153 74, 86, 95, 153 Kauffman, Fritz, 161 Arellano, Juan, 134 Ateneo de Manila, 139 Avanceña, Ramon, 62, 92, 153 La lllustracion Filipino, 44 Audiencia Real, 13 Lao, Gabriel, 154 Legarda, Benito, 41, 42, 91, 153 Legaspi, Pacita, 141 Basilio, 140 Lim, Manuel, 15, 157 Barrera, Jesus, 9, 23 Lim, Vicente, 136 Bautista, Ambrosio Rianzares, 41 Limjap, Jacinto, 91 Buencamino, Felipe, 41, 158 Llórente, Julio, 13 Lobregat, Virgilio, 142 Cacho, Candelaria Soriano, 148-149 Lopez, Fernando, 157 Calderon, Felipe, 12 ,'2 2, 41,' 71, 91 Capistrano, Francisco, 15, 157 Mabini, Apolinario, 22, 41 Chanco, Dionisio, 13 Madame, Toulousse, 138 Citizens for a Filipino Constitution, 23 Madrigal, Vicente, 153, 157 Code of Civil Procedure, 13, 47 Malolos Congress, 41 Concepcion,- Roberto, 10, 11, 19, 31, 157 Malolos Constitution, 12, 22, 41 Constitutional Convention of 1971, 6, 21, Manglapus, Raul, 24 23, 31 Manila Jockey Club, 141 Commission of Independence, 17 Mapa, Victoriano, 153 Corpuz, Sergio, 10 Mendoza, Alfonso, 154, 158 Costa, Horacio de la, 1 Molo, 82, 91 Council of War Rules, 40 Montañez, Luis, 142 Cuenco, Miguel, 157 Montinola, Ruperto, 153

Delgado, Jose, 154 Nakpil, Juan, iii Dewey, George, 41 Nieto, Manuel, 142 DeWitt, Clyde, 56, 57 Dinglasan, Rafael, 157 Ocampo, Pablo, 41 Ortigas, Francisco, 154 Encarnación, Vicente Singson, 152, 154, Osmefla, Sergio Sr., 17, 45, 47, 54, 92, 158 159-160 Estrada, Salvador, 10 Otis, General, 42, 47

Federalista Party, 42, 72, 157-158 Paterno, Pedro A., 22, 41 Feria, Felicisimo, 153 Philippine Commission, 43, 66 Feria, Jose, 10 Piani, Guillermo, 98, 154 Fernandez, Jose, 153 Piety, 2-3 Fernandez, Ramon, 153, 157 Prieto, Antonio, 142 Filipinization of public offices, 35, 62, 66, 74-75 Forbes, W. Cameron, 16, 17, 38, 44, 69, Quezon, Manuel, 17, 43, 54, 92, 136, 159 74, 136, 144, 154, 157 Quirino, Elpidio, 141 Francisco, Jacinto, 157 Reconstitution of Audiencia into Supreme Gaches, Samuel, 144, 145 Court, 13, 42, 47 Garcia, Carlos P., 21 Recto, Claro, 146 Gilbert, Newston, 136 Regidor, Ma. Antonio, 136 Goyena, Manuel, 141 Regidor, Visayas, 136 Gregorio Araneta Memorial Lectures, 19, Revolution of 1896, 40 21, 23, 51, 91 Roces, Alejandro, 141, 153 Gregorio Araneta Social Development Rodriguez, Eulogio, 154, 158 Foundation, 9-10 Romulo, Carlos P., 10, 36, 68 Guerrero, Leon Ma., 91 Rosario, Lolita del, 153 Guevarra, Guillermo, 37 Rosario, Mariquita del, 153 Rosario, Paquita del, 153 Rosario, Sabas del, 152-153 Harrison, Francis Burton, 72, 154 Rosario, Salvador del, 153, 155 Hidalgo, Pilar, 136 Rosario, Simplicio del. 153 Hidalgo, Ursula, 136 Rosario, Tomas del, 22 Root, Eliju, 158 Icaza, Jose Juan de, 12, 39, 151, 152 Roxas, Antonio, 144 Icaza, Nachito, 157 Roxas, Elio, 136 Ide, Henry C„ 42 Roxas, Felix, 151-152 Roxas, Francisco L , 40, 136 Tuason, Manuel, 162 Roxas, Manuel, 141 Tuason, Mariano, 135

Salvador, Ambrocio, 40-41 Velasco, Chino, 154 Salvador, Moisés, 40 Velez, Rosario, 136 Sandico, Teodoro, 41, 154 Velhagen, Max, 9 San Sebastian Home, iii, 134, 135-136 Vera, Jose 0., 64 San Sebastian Street, 155 Villalonga, Joaquin, 139 Santiago, Ciríaco, 158 Villamin, Vicente, 136, 141 Santos, Jose Abad, 45, 55 Villamor, Ignacio, 60, 153 Singian, Gregorio, 162 Villanueva, Pura, 150 Singson, Vicente, 157 Virtue, 1-2 Soriano, Andrecito, 149-150 Wifley, Libbeus R„ 42, 48, 156 Soriano, Francisco, 149 Wiley, Samuel Rev., 10 Soriano, Jose, 149 Wood, Gov. Gen., 16, 69, 74, 157 Soriano, Paz y Dichi (mother), 39, 147 Sumulong, Juan, 44, 58, 153, 158 Ynchausti, Manuel, 151 Supreme Court, 13, 37, 42, 47-48 Ynfante, Florence, 9 Symposium on Constitutional Reforms, 19, 21, 23, 51 Zaragoza, Carmen (wife), 44 Zaragoza, Elias, 136, 149, 150 Taft, William H., 14. 17, 42, 43, 44, 48, Zaragoza, Jose Aranquisma, 44 54, 59, 66, 72, 79, 80, 84, 89-90, 135, Zaragoza, Mariquita, 149 154 Zaragoza, Ramon, 149 Tavera, Trinidad Pardo H., 42 Zaragoza, Rosa (Lola Chata), mother-in- Torres, Florentino, 13, 42, 153 law, 134, 135, 149-150 Treaty of Paris, 41 Zaragoza, Salvador, 84, 149, 150, 157 Tuason, Carolina, 135 Zobel, Enrique, 154 Tuason, Demetrio, 149 Zobel, Jacobo, 143