14/04/2023
The Death of President Manuel A. Roxas
President Manuel A. Roxas had his early breakfast on Thursday morning, April 15, 1948 and prepared to drive to the Sta. Mesa railway station where he was to board a special train for Pampanga.
Before leaving Malacañang Palace, he walked by the room of his aunt, Maria Andrada, which he fondly calls Aunt Bibi, who had given care and affection on Roxas since his childhood and during his long residence in Manila before he became President, practically being in charge of his domestic affairs. Noticing that his Aunt Bibi was already dressed as he went in, he greeted her good morning and queried about her health, without realizing that he was, in effect, bidding her farewell.
At the Sta. Mesa station, a large number of people joined Presidential entourage. These included senators, representatives, and cabinet members along with dozens of newspaper correspondents. The special train for Pampanga was made up of seven coaches including an air-conditioned one for the President. Throughout the trip, Roxas gave every sign that he was feeling well. He conversed with many of his companions and went from coach to coach to see if everyone was relaxed.
Arriving at Clark Field, he was met by General Eubank, the American commander in charge of the United States air base. The General drove Roxas around, showing him the installations which had been built there since liberation.
The President was very much enthralled, particularly with the housing accommodations which the U. S. Government had put up for the use of army and civilian personnel.
At 12:45 P.M. the party proceeded for the air terminal to witness the air show which had been arranged for the Roxas. Opposite the air terminal was a seized Japanese plane, which the Americans had placed on a concrete pedestal as a souvenir. When President Roxas saw it he commented: “I was flown in that kind of an aircraft by the Japanese from the prison camp in Malaybalay to Manila.”
The air show demonstrated to be a thrilling show and Roxas affectionately congratulated General Eubank for such a splendid performance. They then continued to the luncheon party in the Officers’ Club, following which Roxas, attended by his American host, went directly to the Colin Kelly Theater where the President was scheduled to address the American officers who had gathered there.
Expressing his satisfaction at the pleasant visit which he was having in that American military base, the President then congratulated General Eubank, his officers, and his men for the astonishing progress which they had made in strengthening the outpost.
Remembering how the democratic nations in Western Europe and America had been suddenly attacked by the authoritarian nations, he said:
“World peace cannot be maintained if each nation acting separately should merely await the aggressor at its borders. There must be a complete and firm agreement on the part of peace and liberty-loving peoples of the world to stop and, if necessary, to fight any aggressor that may want to trample upon the liberties of other peoples or interfere in the free exercise of their sovereignty.”
The President received a great ovation from the American officers and enlisted men who had packed into the Colin Kelly Theater. The heat inside the building was almost suffocating and it was quite a reprieve for Roxas and the members of his party when they were able to get out to enjoy a breath of fresh air. They returned to General Eubank’s house for a brief break before the scheduled military parade to be held in the President’s honor. Upon reaching General Eubank’s quarters, Roxas went to the lavatory to wash and prepare for the military review. When he came out from the toilet, he was already pale and sweating profusely, complaining that he was feeling dizzy. Then he told Senate President Jose Avelino to represent him at the military parade. Roxas then asked his senior aide for a doctor.
Major Corvera summoned the first physician he could find, an American army doctor. After a brief examination, the doctor ordered several mattresses positioned on the floor so that the President might lie down. But Roxas explained that he felt well sitting up so he was provided with cushions and made as comfortable as possible. However, his feet began to get cold so the doctor and Corvera began rubbing them briskly. Other members of the Roxas team had come into the room and began assisting the doctor with ice and hot water bags.
The President grumbled of a little pain in the chest but said that, otherwise, he was feeling all right. Nonetheless, a special airplane was immediately sent to Manila to transport Dr. Antonio Sison and to send word to Roxas’ family about the President’s conditions. At four o’clock that afternoon, the President was found difficulty in his breathing. The doctor ordered that an oxygen tank to bring into the room.
Two hours later, while he was oxygenated, he asked that his mother be notified that he was slightly indisposed but that she should not worry about his condition. President Roxas did not know that Dona Rosario Acuña was already on her way to Clark Field accompanied by Mrs. Trinidad Roxas. They arrived a few minutes later by which time Roxas appeared to be much improved.
At around 8:00 PM, the President was resting and sleeping, so General Eubank, Dr. Sison, and Mrs. Roxas went to the dining room for supper while an American army nurse was left to watch over the President. After dinner and not wishing to disturb their patient whom everybody believed was sound asleep, Dr. Sison and his companions went to the front porch. Suddenly at around 9:20 P.M. the American nurse watching over Roxas noticed that something was wrong.
She ran to summon Dr. Sison who came in accompanied by Dr. Ojeda. The President was gasping for breath. His mouth was wide open and he had extreme difficulty in breathing. He started to choke with hiccups. Suddenly, he stopped. Dr. Sison who had taken hold of Roxas’ pulse as soon as he reached his patient’s bedside, sorrowfully released the President’s hand.
“The President,” he said, “is dead.”
Mrs. Roxas came into the room at about 9:35 P.M. but the President was already lifeless.
Reuters reported that at least one million people paid their last homage to President Manuel Roxas when he was laid in his final resting place in the North Cemetery on April 25, 1948.
It was the most impressive state funeral seen in Manila for many decades. About 50 naval personnel from the visiting British cruiser HMS Constance slow marched behind the casket bearing Roxas remains. Several American units took part.
When the procession was approaching the cemetery, squadrons of Philippine and American Air Force planes flew in formation overhead, and as the last rites were performed by six planes of the Air Force, dropping flowers and wreaths near the mausoleum — which cost 100,000 American dollars.
***
References:
Marcial P. Lichauco, ROXAS: The Story of a Great Filipino and of the Political Era in Which He Lived (Manila: s.n., 1952), 259-263.
Daily Advertiser, Tuesday 27 April 1948, page 1.
