THE PHILIPPINES: America's Forgotten Friends

As might be expected from the title, some less friendly aspects of American-Philippino relations -- notably the Philippine insurrection and our interest in Marco's post-constitutional government -- are dealt with lightly here. Bocca surveys the end of the Islands' jerry-built democracy with a mixture of Olympian cynicism and affection which conveys the texture of Philippine society -- particularly the beauty queen hostesses of political Manila -- and he creates vivid portraits of leaders from Rizal and Quirino to the three post-war M's: Magasaysay, Macapagal and Marcos. Be that as it may, Bocca's conifdence that all Philippinos (except the red-inspired Huks) have felt great affection for their big white brothers, his conviction that the country has suffered from too little rather than too much U.S. intervention and his fatalistic acceptance of corruption and regressive policies make one suspect that his friendship is tinged with a certain amount of paternalism and condescension. Though it lacks some of the journalistic polish, Jules Archer's Philippines Fight for Freedom at least allows various segments of the population to voice their own opinions, and if Archer's view is more pessimistic, it is certainly more honest and informative.