THE Philippine Council of Management (Philcoman) will make available my nonfiction best-selling books published by Amazon, one of the world’s largest publishing houses based in the United States, on November 23 at the Centennial Hall, Manila Hotel, in celebration of Philcoman’s 65th Founding Anniversary.
These books are Breakaway, Greed & Betrayal, Power Grab, A Country Imperiled, and Imelda and the Marcos Legacy, which presents a bold and factual perspective on the presidency of deposed President Ferdinand Marcos, his wife Imelda Romualdez Marcos, the martial-law period, the Edsa pocket revolt, the regime of President Cory Aquino and the subsequent administrations until that of Cory’s son, President Benigno “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino III.
The books present a factual recounting of history and defy accepted norms on historical personalities and traditional textbook views on the nation’s past.
A Country Imperiled followed tradition of factual narrations of history as it sought to objectively demystify the Aquino couple, former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. who was hailed as a martyr and Cory Aquino as an icon of democracy.
It also dissected nasty allegations leveled at the Marcos couple through a fair recounting of their actions, most of which were culled from declassified government documents and biased reporting of events.
The books, published one after the other,
captured historical events straight for the new generation of Filipinos who may
have to rely on other historical accounts to
appreciate the characters of the nation’s previous leaders.
What prompted me to write the books were what came out mostly as distortions of historical events and the glorification of people who are supposed to be made to account for their sins of omission and comission.
In the post-Marcos years, I looked at the trials of plunders, corruptions, economic deprivation, gruesome human-rights violations, insurgencies, hundreds of killings involving journalists and serious problems of brownouts, flooding and horrendous traffic.
A Country Imperiled, for instance, sought to break the common notion that corruption is the root of all evil in the country. While corruption is a valid issue, the mendicancy of the country and wrong economic policies were caused mostly by predation that the country’s leaders have allowed to persist.
In its incisive review of the ills of the economy, A Country Imperiled put on the spotlight the collusion between the Cory Aquino regime and most Makati-based big businesses and corporate predators who thrived on political patronage with the Aquinos. The book also exposed the role of the Church in the downfall of Marcos and the restoration of the old oligarchy.
It also examined the vindictiveness of the Cory Aquino administration that was exemplified by the targeting for demolition of the efficiently functioning ministries, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Human Settlements, particularly its Technological Resource Center, whose assets were dissipated and later abolished on the mere argument that these agencies were creations of Marcos.
As Philcoman’s current president, I offered through my books deconstruction of events as an interesting guide for legal researchers, as well as students out to write a factual recollection of the country’s historical eras.
The books are now available for worldwide
distribution at Amazon’s Kindle and CreateSpace. Locally, they can be bought at
Popular and Solidaridad bookstores or at
Philcoman’s e-mail address.
Highlighting Philcoman’s anniversary is the awarding of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso as The Management Man of the Year for 2019-2020; UP-Manila Prof. Dr. Nymia Pimentel Simbulan, as the “Management Woman of the Year,” while San Miguel Corp. captured the “Corporation of the Year Award” based on different criteria set forth by the Philcoman’s board of trustees for outstanding achievements and distinguished track records respectively in academic, leadership, governance, social, behavioral and innovations in health care, economic environmental protection, e-commerce, entrepreneurship, business planning and strategic management.
Philcoman is a federation of professional and technological societies, management developments, institutions, academe, business enterprises and professional managers dedicated to the development of management and improvement of practices in all aspects of management the Philippine society.
Philcoman was founded in 1954, by 10 associations and organized groups under the inspirational guidance of Dr. Lilian M. Gilbreth and Dr. Daniel M. Braum, (the latter was chief of the training branch, the US Government’s General Services Administration), both of whom were on the extended assignment in the Philippines, provided the inspirational guidance. Dean Cesar H. Concio was the founder and the first Philcoman President serving until 1963.
Affiliated with the World Council of Management, Philcoman has chalked up a continuing series of achievements in its 65th year history. In fulfillment of its mission to propagate the principles and practice of scientific management in the Asian region, Philcoman has hosted two international management congresses, conducted strategic management seminars and held the effective program on negotiation and conflict management, among others.
Philcoman’s vision is the recognized nationwide partnership of people and businesses inspiring outstanding leadership and cultivating highly productive workplaces while its mission to provide management and leadership development opportunities and related activities meet the needs of members and contribute to the effectiveness of sponsoring organizations.
Philcoman, in coordination with the Institute of Strategic & International Studies and other linkages, is dedicated to managerial excellence, personal and professional growth and leadership development.
To reach the writer, e-mail cecilio.arillo@gmail.com.