One highlight of this year’s commemoration of Ninoy Aquino’s Day last Aug. 21 was the launching of Representative Raul A. Daza’s two volume book, Years of Crisis (1974-1983) and Years of Hope (1984-1987) at Club Filipino.

It was also a reunion of sorts of colleagues, many from alumni of groups who had been part of the country’s struggle in the fight for freedom and democracy.

In his speech and preface of his book, Rep. Daza underscored his good fortune of having been a witness of the historic events of the two decades and for having played a role in one of the most critical period in the struggle towards nation-building.

In the first volume, he narrates his experiences in the United States, where he and his family had settled after Martial Law, his passing both examinations for the California Bar and accountancy, for choosing to practice law, and for his having joined the board of the Movement for a Free Philippines (MFP) under the leadership of former Senators Raul Manglapus and Sonny Alvarez. The MFP attracted Filipino professionals because it espoused moderate ideas for the return of pre-Martial Law democratic institutions. Rep. Daza also narrates the great escape of Geny Lopez and Serge Osmeña. Earlier, the two were arrested and detained on fabricated charges on a plot to assassinate the President. Their detention lasted for nearly five years until they escaped and fled to the United States where Rep. Daza advised them to apply for political asylum.

The second volume covers the Daza family’s return to the country after 12 years and after Ninoy’s assassination. Here, he describes events like meetings with the Senator Jovito Salonga, who briefed him on the challenges after Martial law, the Plaza Miranda bombing where nine leaders of the opposition and several others were injured, the need to build new political institutions through a vision and program of government. These and the UNIDO Party which united the opposition parties, the snap elections, EDSA and the Salonga-chaired Presidential Commission on Good Government which was mandated to recover “ill-gotten wealth” of then President Marcos and close associates to which he was appointed commissioner.

In their messages in the two volumes, three current senators pointed out that the memoirs should especially appeal to the youth and “to remind them that our constitutional democracy was fought with blood and guts, and that our struggle to free our nation from abuses in government, of hunger and poverty continues,” (Kiko Pangilinan); “for not just being a witness, but an active participant, and for having the unique perspective and implications of those critical political events” (Risa Hontiveros)’; and “for sharing stories which serve as guide and inspiration in the search truth, justice, democracy and freedom (Bam Aquino). MLiberal Party List Rep. Leila de Lima describes him as the “Liberal Party’s guiding light.”

Raul A. Daza, who turned 90 last May, is a multi-talented man. He was an honor student from high school (At UP High, he, together with Betty Belmonte and Ramon Farolan were my students in “practice teaching” while I was a senior at the College of Education under the guidance of the late professor, Basilisa Manhit. He reminded me about this when we were both officers of the Liberal Party where he was president from 1994-1998. He graduated cum laude from UP College of Law, and ranked 11th in the bar examination; a cum laude in Business Administration; and the first Filipino to pass both California bar and accountancy examination without a formal education in the US. He was elected representative for Northern Samar for three terms and was also Senior Deputy Speaker.

Married to the former Teresita Ruiz, they have four children with Paul, also a representative and governor of Northern Samar. Grandson Nico Raul, newly elected representative, replacing his father, Paul.

The two volumes are available at Central Bookstore. ([email protected])