Carlos P. Romulo

Carlos Peña Romulo, QSC CLH NA was a Filipino diplomat, statesman, soldier, journalist and author. He was a reporter at 16, a newspaper editor by the age of 20, and a publisher at 32.

## Early Life

On January 14, 1898, Maria Cabrera Peña gave birth to his son at Camiling,Tarlac. She and her husband Gregorio Besacruz Romulo named their son Carlos Peña Romulo. He studied basic education at Camiling Central elementary school. Romulo entered University of the Philippines, where he received a bachelor's degree in 1918. After getting a master of arts from Columbia University in 1921, he returned to work as professor of English and chairman of the English department of the University of the Philippines (1923-1928).

He became editor in chief of TVT Publications in 1931 and publisher and editor of the Philippines Herald (1933-1941). Romulo received the coveted Pulitzer Prize for a series of pioneering articles on the Southeast Asian political situation in which he recorded his extensive travels in China, Burma, Thailand, Indochina, Indonesia, and elsewhere.

## Famous Works

**I saw the fall of the Philippines**, story about Filipino-American defense against Japanese invasion and aggression. He simply illustrated the struggles of the soldiers as they tried to hold Bataan and Corregidor. Also relates his narrow escape on slipshod amphibious plane toward safety.

**Mother America: the living story of democracy**, he discusses the relations between the Occident and Oriental politically and socially. Though not uncritical of American behavior in the Philippines, he finds it far superior to that of Britain, Holland and France in Asia. Some may feel that his criticisms of the latter Powers are occasionally undiscriminating.

**Crusade in Asia: Philippine victory,**  a challenging book by a man whose life has been selflessly dedicated to his country and the United Nations, traces the exciting triumph of democracy in the Philippines and from it, draws important conclusions for the rest of Asia. Magsaysay's election represented one of the most hard won victories of right over wrong.

**I see the Philippines rise**, this book tell his association with President Quezon, President Osmena; his urgent desire to respond instantly to MacArthur's summons; his final departure, after many delays; and the campaign which won Leyte-and eventually Manila.

## Personal Life / Family

General Carlos P. Romulo and Beth Day Romulo were already individually famous when they met in 1957; she interviewed him for a Reader’s Digest article. Nothing romantic happened then; they were both married to other people and became good friends. But when they met again in 1972 , they were widower and widow, fell in love and married. They have sons named Ricardo Jose, Gregorio Vicente, Roberto Rey, and Carlos Romulo Jr.

## Death

At the age of 86 he died on December 15, 1985 and buried at "Libingan ng mga Bayani" in Manila. Mr. Romulo had been admitted to a hospital six days earlier for an emergency operation for an intestinal obstruction. His death was attributed to circulatory collapse.

The Former Commissioner of the Philippines contributes in our country because of his professional skills and works. It will help us to know what happened in history and also the youths of the next generation.