26 October 2015 – As part of the observance of Filipino – American History Month, the Philippine Consulate General in New York, in partnership with the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation and the Filipino – American Press Club of New York hosted the US book launch of Beth Day Romulo and David F. Hyatt’s “The Writer, The Lover and The Diplomat – Life with Carlos P. Romulo” at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on October 21.
The book recalls Beth Day Romulo’s life with the extraordinary Carlos P. Romulo, one of the premiere statesmen of the 20th century, and one of the finest diplomats the Philippines has ever produced.
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Consul General Mario L. De Leon said that the book was a “personal memoir written mostly in Mrs. Romulo’s own words is a very intimate look on the life of an American girl from Indiana who enjoyed hunting at a young age, went through the outside world writing about politicians, sports, fashion, and got tangled in international affairs as the spouse of one of the most influential Filipinos of all time, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos P Romulo”.
Co-author David F. Hyatt, who is a multi-awarded journalist, recalled his experience in writing the book, describing how, as a very young reporter for the Voice of America in the Philippines, he had gathered his courage and managed to interview Secretary Romulo himself, and remember that encounter as an amazing experience. Mr. Hyatt said that it was in the course of writing a book about his own experiences that he got in contact with Beth Day Romulo, to verify details about his encounter with the great man. Beth eventually handed over to him stacks of her voluminous notes on her life with her famous husband and eventually, the book became the result.
The audience at the program sat in rapt attention through the screening of a short biography of Carlos P. Romulo, inspired by his story of heroism and towering achievements, and amused by the wit and wisdom of the man who, in his lifetime, would write 17 books, become a general of the US and Philippine Armies, chair the United Nations, serve as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs for 17 years and Ambassador to the United States for another 10 years, among other, equally notable achievements.
The audience also expressed their admiration for Beth Day Romulo, a woman who held her own in the face of her husband’s fame. Beth Day Romulo was a writer of extraordinary skill, rising from her rural roots to cover the world for the Reader’s Digest, one of the world’s leading publications. Her style and intelligence had impressed a man who had seen and done much in his own lifetime.
The US book launch could not have been done at a better date, the Consul General further said, “as October 20 marked the anniversary of the World War II Leyte Landing, when U.S. forces, led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Gen. Romulo, waded ashore to begin the liberation of the Philippines.”
The book is now available through Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle editions. END