Happy Birthday to Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol’s Most Illustrious Son

Today, we mark what would have been the 122^nd birthday of Bohol’s Most Illustrious Son whose long and brilliant political career was punctuated with his ascendancy to the presidency of the country.  November 4 is celebrated every year as Bohol Day to honor Pres. Garcia.

Carlos Polestico Garcia was born the second of five children to Policronio "Manoy Coni" Garcia and Ambrosia "Mending" Butay- Polistico in Talibon, Bohol on November 4, 1896.

A lot has been said and written about the long and brilliant political career of Bohol's most illustrious son, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, but only a few really knew his private persona especially as a husband, as father and as grandfather. Who is Pres. Garcia when he is far from the glare of the spotlight and from the scrutiny of media and critics? 

Pres. CPG with daughter Linda Garcia-Campos, son-in-law Fernando Campos

and his wife Leonila cradling their first grandchild, Maria Carla G. Campos.

His marital union with Leonila "Inday" Dimataga of Opon, Cebu (now Lapu-Lapu City) bore an only child that they named Linda Garcia. 

Campos describes his grandparents as an “inseparable” couple.

Linda was a grounded and level- headed First Daughter who was close to the Malacanang staff and was accommodating to the Boholanos who always dropped by Malacanang. The only child of President CPG & First Lady Leonila eventually married Fernando Campos who later on became Undersecretary of Commerce. 

Linda Garcia & Reynald Gatal show some dance moves 

while the First Couple looks on approvingly

They have three children: Maria Carla, Rosa Isabel and Jose Carlos.  

Here are some of reminiscences on Pres. Garcia as shared by his only grandson, Jose Carlos Garcia Campos:

Did you know that the country's former leader was fond of gardening? When CPG was already out of politics, he would often garden and take care of his wild dogs and pigs.

CPG was a typical Filipino who believed that the best conversations happen over lunch or dinner. 

 Playing chess was President Garcia's favorite leisure activity.

CPG loved the Yamaha grand piano given as a gift by the Embassy of Japan. He didn’t play the piano but he would always request ‘Matud Nila’ from guests who knew how to play,”  

CPG was “calm and reserved” who did yoga, breathing and stretching as early as 5 a.m. while his wife Leonila was the chikadora who ran all the events and parties in the house. 

CPG became famous for his poetry in Bohol, where he earned the distinction, “Prince of Visayan Poets” and the “Bard from Bohol.” His masterpiece, “Ang Babayeng Pilipinhon” (The Filipino Woman) was even framed for display.

CPG loved to write spiritual and sensual poems in Visayan,” Campos says. “Whenever he would attend a public event, he was always asked to recite a poem before his speech.”

At home, CPG insisted the first language the young people should learn was Visayan. “He would always say, ‘You’ll learn Tagalog and English in school but no one will teach you Visayan so I’ll teach you that,” Campos says.

CPG was also fluent in Spanish and Latin. Every night, CPG and daughter Linda would read lines from Spanish books or poems. Garcia’s favorite was the Chilean writer and politician Pablo Neruda.

CPG's Presidential Inaugural Remarks

His Excellency, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia

8th President of the Philippines

4th President of the Third Republic

March 17, 1957 – December 30, 1961

ASCENDANCY  TO THE PRESIDENCY: 

It was March 18, 1957, when Vice- President Garcia, at the age of 61, assumed the presidency from Pres. Magsaysay who perished in a tragic plane crash in Mt. Manunggal in Balamban, Cebu Province, March 17, 1957

At the time of the sudden death of President Ramon Magsaysay, Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Carlos P. García was heading the Philippine delegation to the SEATO conference then being held at Canberra, Australia.

Vice President García enplaned back for Manila after being informed of  the national tragedy involving Pres. Magsaysay. Immediately after his Manila arrival, he was whisked of to Malacañang Palace to assume the duties of President. 

Straight from the airport, Vice President Carlos P. García was inaugurated as
the 8th President of the Philippines upon Magsaysay's death on March 17, 1957
Council of State Room, Executive Building, Malacañan Palace, March 18, 1957 

Chief Justice Ricardo Paras, of the Supreme Court, was at hand to administer the oath of office. 

President García's first actions dealt with the declaration of a period of mourning for the whole nation and the burial ceremonies for the late Chief-Executive Magsaysay.

Inaugural Remarks of President Garcia after the demise of President Magsaysay, March 18, 1957

Inaugural Remarks

of

His Excellency Carlos P. Garcia

President of the Philippines

(Delivered at the Council of State Room, Executive Office Bldg., Malacañan Palace, March 18, 1957)

The unexpected and most unfortunate demise of President Ramon Magsaysay has brought grief not only to our country but to the entire free world. President Magsaysay, since his assumption to the highest office of the land, had been an uncompromising champion of democracy in Asia. Thus, his death is definitely a loss to all freedom-loving peoples everywhere. In this our moment of supreme national bereavement, I wish to ask our people to share with me the heavy burden which has been placed upon my shoulders by the Supreme Law-Giver who presides over the destinies of men and nations. In asking for the support and cooperation of the Filipino people, I appeal for sobriety, calmness and dedication in the fulfillment of our common duty to God and country, for the great ideals for which President Magsaysay lived and died. I realize only too well that the position of President of the Philippine carries with it tremendous responsibilities. Nevertheless, with the aid of Divine Providence, I accept, in all humility, this difficult task, upon taking my oath of office. With abiding faith in our people, I know that in a moment of crisis like this, they always rise equal to the situation. In the days that lie ahead, I will welcome honest and constructive criticism if it will redound to the public good. It shall be my solemn duty to carry on the great political program for which President Magsaysay and the Nacionalista Party have given their all and their best. I ask you then, fellow countrymen, to lay aside all rancour and discord and help me carry on the task of preserving our land for God, democracy, liberty and justice. 

Pres. CPG during the necrological services for the late Pres. Ramon Magsaysay

LIFE AFTER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENCY

After he didn't make it in his presidential reelection bid, he retired to a private life in Tagbilaran City. 

On June 1, 1971, García was elected delegate of the 1971 Constitutional Convention. The convention delegates elected him as the President of the Convention.

However, just days after his election, on June 14, 1971, García died from a fatal heart attack.

He was succeeded as president of the Convention by his former Vice President, Diosdado Macapagal.

García became the first president to have his remains lie in-state at the Manila Cathedral and the first president to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.  

ILLUSTRIOUS POLITICAL CAREER:

The elective & appointed posts he held prior to his assumption & election as Philippine President:

5th Vice President of the Philippines December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957

Secretary of Foreign Affairs (December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957)

Senator of the Philippines (May 25, 1946 – December 30, 1953)

Governor of Bohol (December 30, 1933 – December 30, 1941)

Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Bohol's Third District (1925–1931)

Credits: http://www.gov.ph/1957/03/18/inaugural-remarks-of-president-garcia-after-the-demise-of-president-magsaysay-march-18-1957/

Pres CPG Tenders State Dinner for US Pres. Eisenhower

Every time a Philippine State Dinner is tendered by the incumbent President and the First Lady for a visiting head of state, everything has to be perfect. 

It is the time to showcase the best of Philippine hospitality, observe the strictest protocol, and execute the best photo opportunities

Behind the smiles, the sumptuous fusion of Philippine and international cuisine, glittering & expensive silverware, the most fabulous outfits and the the most dazzling jewelry are the intense jostling for the all- important invites, the thorough security checks and the food tasting

When US President Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower came for a State Visit to the Philippines through the invitation of then Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia, everyone was thrown into a tizzy. Mind you, he was no ordinary president. He was not only the leader of the world's most powerful nation but also a certified war hero and newsmaker.

The Malacanang staff's job then begins at planning and conceptualizing the event. The kind of entertainment and its execution, the selection of waiters and their training, their uniforms, haircut and background check on each of them. More than a million and one details had to be attended to ensure the success of the seemingly quite simple dinner

Here's a glimpse of the State Dinner tendered by Phil President Carlos P. Garcia and First Lady Leonila Garcia for American President Ike Eisenhower

  

President Eisenhower shares a light moment with First Lady Inday Garcia

Everyone awaits the highlight of the evening: The Bayanihan Company

even Pres. Eisenhower is enthralled by the Singkil Dance

The Itik- itik is performed to the bemused & fascinated smiles of the American delegation

in between the performances, Pres. CPG explains the dances to Pres. Ike 

Photo Credits:

Associated Press

Life Magazine

http://philippinediplomaticvisits.blogspot.com