Life Story of Commander Ivory, Hukbalahap Guerilla Soldier

In the Memory of Commander Ivory, a Legend in our Hearts

When I was in grade school in Lourdes School, Mandaluyong, my History professor gave us an assignment to ask our parents the experiences they had during World War 2. That evening, when my father arrived from the hospital, I told him about my assignment and he told me to sit down in our sofa and take notes of what he will tell me. That was the moment I finally realized who my father was and he's historical background during the last world war and thought of writing this blog in his memory and to remind his children, grandchildren and the whole Romasanta clan about his achievements and how his achievements can make us all proud.

Education and Career Background

He studied elementary at Epifanio de los Santos Elementary School in 1941 and went back to school by 1949 in San Beda College and FEU. By 1952, he took Associate in Arts (Pre-Med) in University of Sto. Thomas and shifted to Doctor of Medicine up to 1959. He passed the Medical Board Examination by Sept 1959 and started service training in National Orthopedic Hospital by May, 1959 as an Adjunct Resident. His medical career was improving and noticed by Dr. Tamesis, Chief Surgeon of Orthopedic at that time until he was promoted as Medical Specialist-1 by July 1971 up to 1977. Until he became a Consultant for three hospitals in Manila namely: De Los Santos Medical Center, Capitol Medical Center and Sta. Teresita Hospital from 1977 to 1987. He became a FELLOW in the Philippine Orthopedic Association and the Western Pacific Orthopedic Association. Aside from this he was also a FELLOW in Orthopedic and Traumatology.

Since his medical career has been improving in the following years, his wide scope of expertise as an Orthopedic surgeon has been known in local and international medical institutions (UK, US, Swiss, Japan, etc.) and was been in the list of a magazine entitled: Top 100 Most Important Persons in the World. I think I don't have to put all the fields of his expertise here and it may take much space of this blog.

Scholarship Grants was awarded to him by the British government as follows:

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital (Orthopedic), London

Subject: Scoliosis Management 7 Advancement

Royal National Orthopedic Hospital, London
Subject: Scoliosis, Review (50 years follow-up) Conservative and Surgical

University of Berlin, Germany
Subject: Review of Surgical Instrumentation in Scoliosis and Other Spinal Conditions, Metal Metallurgy and Sylastical Implants

Sta. Monica Hospital - Piebra, Ligure, Italy
Subject: Conservative Management in Scoliosis

British Museum of Natural History, London
Subject: Physical Anthropolgy, Ancient Diseases of the Skeletal System, "Foramen Magnum Shift" in Evolution of Man from 45 Degrees - Homo Erectus (180 Degrees)

From 1978-1979, he was trained for the following:

Land, Air and Sea Rescue Missions in Clark Air Base and Subic
Advance Cardiac Resuscitation, West Virginia
Jungle Warfare, Clark Air Base
Germ and Gas Warfare, Clark Air Base
Quarantine: Disease Control Program, World Health Organization
Swiss Advancement on Total Hip Replacement (No Metal)

He was awarded HONORARIUM in the Royal College of Surgeon and in the British Association of Physical Anthropology in 1971-72. He received plaques on his Philippine Medical missions here in the Philippines such as the Southern Island, Majayjay, Laguna, Nueva Ecija and Ilocos Norte to name a few.

The Born of Commander Ivory as a Hukbalahap Soldier

During World War II, he joined the ROTC Hunters from 1942-43 as a Courier in the Manila-Bulacan zone and in 1943 to 1944, he has been am active member of the Hukbalahap's Liquidation Squad (a.k.a. Commander Ivory) that was based here in Manila. This was the time that they plotted the assassination of Colonel Tanaka, a notorious Japanese official who have raped many innocent Filipina women and killed civilians  without mercy. As a teenager at that time, he went behind the car door where Colonel Tanaka was seated and shot all the bullets of his .45 caliber pistols all in the face. While two of his comrades shot the two soldiers at the back of the car all at the same instance.

During this period, he was also a member of the Chinese 13th Squadron from 1943-45 delegated as the Coordinator in the Laguna region. From 1943 to 1945, he was assigned as a Runner-Courier here in Manila by the USAFFE and was classified as "Deserving".

Commander Ivory a.k.a. "Tony Boy" Romasanta

On instances that I was brought by my Dad in Malacañang, I remember how President Marcos calls him: "Tony Boy, how are you? Let us talk in the other room." This was the name that President Marcos used to call him for a meeting in Malacañang. At the same time he was the Neurosurgeon of the President and usually checked his health condition that has been part of dad's routine when they meet personally. 

After he resigned in National Orthopedic Hospital in the late 70's, regular meetings developed between the two and Dad started to focus on joint-venture projects with the President and these were kept highly confidential. There were two top military officials who were also present in their meetings and they formed a "Council" that has been the key team that are authorized to check on project updates or when reports are sent by Dad to the President and vice versa. Close door meetings were always held in secrecy and it lasted for a few years. This was the time I remembered that I always had bodyguards even in school and I was not in favor of that situation. Dad has been issued by the government a license to kill that can be use for self-defense or eradicate any outside force who tries to delay their business activities in any manner. During the Marcos administration, he was been assigned as an FBI Consultant since he provides confidential information and the FBI Director at that time visited him personally.

After the EDSA People Revolution

During the term of Pres. Corazon Aquino, my father went to private practice and continued to provide free medical missions and consultation sessions for the less privileged people. Most of the time, our visitors are usually foreigners and have high designations from their origins. They have been discussing important topics and issues and mostly consulted my father's advice.

To be able to serve more Filipino people, he tried to fill an open position of the Aquino administration as Secretary of Health but the Cory did not give any consideration to check on this and had been telling dad that he's papers are with Mr. Peping Cojuangco. The problem with a President that has no political experience or even to review a simple resume to analyze a person's achievements and appoint him or not in that instant. But she has to confide with too many of her advisers until my dad lost interest on his goal.

US President Ronald Reagan's Endorsement

This was the time that the White House reacted and US President Ronald Reagan sent Mrs Aquino a signed letter tagged as "High Priority" dated June 14, 1987 and was delivered to Malacañang on June 15, 1987, indicating that he was personally endorsing a list of people (5) to be in her presidential list and dad was number 1 position as Secretary of Health since he knew my father's achievements and the goal of improving the health issues of our country at that time. Further stated is that President Reagan knew that dad's papers are in the possession of Mr. Peping Cojuangco and was just waiting for her immediate perusal. It ended with a note that the US is in full support with the Aquino administration.

So, you cannot blame me if I cannot consider Cory Aquino to be a hero knowing this background experience of how she handles situations in a small scale and she never responded to it. It is evident that all decisions did not come from her but from her cabinet members.

Last Years Spent in Free Medical Mission and Family Bonding

In spite of what happened with former President Cory Aquino, my father continued his medical mission in his own little way by whatever resources he can just provide in handling patients who cannot afford expensive doctor's fees. He has been helping numerous patients during the last years of his life. He was disappointed at times because of the limited resources he had.

In the contrary, this was the time I got the chance to bond with my father intimately and for longer periods which never happened when I was still a child due to the busy schedules he had as a doctor. He was suppose to be the next Orthopedic Chief after Dr. Tamesis but he quit his job and endorsed Dr. Dueñas, who was his top student at that time. I tried to ask him why he decided to do that but his answer was "political reason" and that's it. During that time, even if we are in family outings, he had to leave soon if he got emergency calls from the hospital. I guess this was the reason why we siblings never had the interest to take up Medicine in the first place.

"We miss you Dad and Mom..."

Dr. Ernesto Villante Romasanta Sr.,

M.D., F.P.O.A., A.A., B.S.A., F.W.P.O.A., F.R.C.S.

Born: September 2, 1930

Mother: Doña Torribia Villante Romasanta

Father: Pedro Romasanta

Were All World War 2 Veterans Really Got Compensated?

After hearing the news in CNN confirming that World War II veterans can now get their benefits or lump sum money from the United States after a bill has been approved. Personally, it was really good news to hear that World War 2 veterans, especially here in the Philippines have finally got what they have hoped for. After waiting for decades for this great opportunity to materialize since World War 2 ended.

The question is that, were all the war veterans have been really compensated? What if they lack the papers or evidence that were required before they are given such benefit? Well, that is another big question and issue these veterans must face.

Hukbalahap Guerrillas - Are They Covered?

I know that some of the veterans, especially those who were with the HUKBALAHAP (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon) have not been considered to receive such benefit. Those who were entitled must have been enlisted in the US Military or USAFFE and they possess their US Military ID to present.

For those Hukbalahap guerrillas who have been fighting in the mountains and in the city proper that has served as Information Officers or Couriers were used by US Military Officers in the mid-part of the war and after the war, they were not been officially enlisted in the US Military office that is why they were not compensated up to this time. But still they have served a great part of rescuing American soldiers and officers during World War 2 and their fighting skills were amazing. If ever their stories got the chance to be heard but most of them have died and it was never been published.

The worst part here is that they were even been accused as hoax or having a false identity and making up stories. I really pity these old people since most of them lived poorly in different parts of our country.

There was a time when my father, Dr. Ernesto V. Romasanta Sr. gathered all their applications that he submitted in the US and hoping that these applications may be re-considered as US beneficiaries as World War 2 veterans and that happened early 2000 and two years after that my father has died.

A Glimpse of an Accomplishment by Hukbalahap Guerrillas

From my previous postings, I mentioned that Dad had been a Hukbalahap guerilla (a.k.a. Commander Ivory) who killed the notorious Japanese officer, Colonel Tanaka in Manila downtown area and this event was one of the greatest assassination plot in World War 2 history here in the Philippines that was carefully planned by Hukbalahap guerrillas, together with a US Military officer. Since Colonel Tanaka was one of the most notorious Japanese officer who killed thousands of women, children and US military personnel during World War 2.

Assassination Plot for Colonel Tanaka

It happened in Manila, where Colonel Tanaka used to drink in a bar and the group planned the assassination plot through a 1 month surveillance led by Commander Ivory (Dad). Everyday, Colonel Tanaka was in this local bar in the afternoon accompanied by two Japanese soldiers who stayed in the car while Colonel Tanaka is inside the bar to drink.

During the day of assassination, Commander Ivory, who was in his early teens during that time and two other Hukabalahap lookouts started the plot and waited for the exact hour when Colonel Tanaka started to go out of the bar and sat at the front seat of his vehicle beside the driver seat. Commander Ivory approached the vehicle from behind the back of the car and went to the spot where he can see the face of Colonel Tanaka seating at the front passenger seat. He started to pull out his .45 caliber handgun and aimed the gun right in front of the Colonel's face and started firing shots until he consumed all the bullets from his handgun. While this was happening, two of his comrades who were lookouts (boys ages 9-12 years old) went to the back of the vehicle and after hearing the first shot that rang out from Dad's gun, they started firing at the two Japanese soldiers and emptied their handguns as instructed, killing the two soldiers on the spot.

After confirming that Colonel Tanaka is dead and the assassination plot was successful, the ladies from the adjacent bar where Colonel Tanaka used to drink, grabbed all of the boys, looked around the street and saw no one in site and started to bring the boys inside the bar and pointed them a way out in the back to escape unnoticed. The ladies even gave them food to bring during their escape.

The news spread out in the neighborhood very fast and all of them were celebrating in silence. They tried to know who did the assassination plot by asking the ladies who helped them eradicate Colonel Tanaka. But they remained silent and told them they never knew who killed Colonel Tanaka and just saw him dead when they went out the bar. They were eager to know who it was because they wanted to thank whoever it was who did the assassination  because they have helped them serve justice to thousands of victims being murdered by this Japanese officer and some of them have been members of their family.

But they never knew who he was until now that I have made this story public since my father is gone too. I just don't know if anyone of those who knew that event would have the chance to read this blog and finally knew who was their hero at that time. I guess it was just time to share this untold story in memory of my father. I believe that at this point, it was time to tell one of his heroic deed that has never been told since World War II ended.

Yamashita Treasure: Myth or Real?

There have been many treasure hunters all over the world who have been seeking the Yamashita Treasure here in the Philippines since World War 2 ended. Most of them have lost their hope and ended their search with empty pockets but some were successful enough and got away with some gold, diamonds and jewelries but those treasure hunters never went out in the open to tell their success.

National Geographic, Discovery Channel and most international documentary researchers tried to dig the truth and interviewed many leads that can tell the true story of the great Yamashita treasure and if does really exist. But all they ended up are tell tales and some previous treasure hunters (who never got any evidences) were interviewed but all they can say that this was a myth and that the story was just a hoax.

Maybe all of them got the wrong leads or if ever there were persons who knew about the Yamashita treasure, I believe that they could not tell the whole story because of fear of loosing their lives and even their whole family. Therefore, holding the truth as a secret is the best thing to do to avoid risking their lives.

But how did the late President Ferdinand Marcos knew about this and during the early years of his term, there were numerous treasure hunters that were given the license to dig for this treasures in different locations in the Philippines since the 1970's. Actually, I did came across some sites that can serve as a reference to some historical background of the Yamashita treasure and most of them are scams, just trying to attract investors and milk out their money and in the end, no gold bars have been found. I hope that foreign investors would be warned against these scrupulous activities. Even if they have posted pictures of Japanese maps and the area wherein they have found "markers" that can verify that it does exist still these were just copied from other sites that have posted them and made stories out of it. Here is one site that I believe the pictures were extracted: Yamashita Treasures Photo Collections.

Here is a sample forum thread that discusses: Yamashita Treasure Secret Exposed but I do not recommend or endorse anything that was discussed in that link and that there are no solid evidence to verify that all their statements are correct. My purpose is to let my readers see some views and excerpts about the Yamashita gold but have not verified any of the pictures, maps or videos seen from the links above and we do not recommend any of these sites.

What I can contribute about this topic is that it is true that there have been gold treasures that were found here in the Philippines and that is a fact. It is not a myth as most foreigners assumed it to be. Actually, Marcos did get some of the Yamashita gold treasures in some of the spots but still one of the biggest gold treasure from the list is still out there somewhere.

What Marcos did with the gold is that he was supposed to use it to develop the Philippines during the 1980's and the first act was that he have to deposit the gold out from the central bank and in Swiss accounts in different names. After a year, he would be using the interests accumulated from these accounts and that will be the fund to develop the entire Philippines. But this never happened since that was the time when the first EDSA Revolution happened and this was a bad timing for President Marcos since he wanted the Philippines to be one of the most developed country in Asia before his death but that dream was shattered into pieces at the outbreak of the revolution.

He could have instructed the military to bombard the two camps where the soldiers are located and killed them all. But he loved the Filipinos so much and did not want any mass killings anymore at that time. In his mind he may thought that killing more Filipinos just to pursue that dream is not worth the sacrifice.