Just arrived from Vincent Recto’s house where we had dinner. We brought Max Goldberger, [Antonio] Tony Raquiza and Alex Rothchild with us. After dinner at 9:00 PM, we had a heavily intellectual discussion on everything specially the natural science-social science gap, pollution, the ecological balance, history, theology etc. Imelda enjoyed it.
Max Goldberger is the physicist (a specialist on power conversion and who produced the hydrazine which can be converted directly into electricity, has worked on the Apollo project and produced the prototype of the original mono-propellant rocket for Israel).
I have asked him to come to stay in the Philippines as he is married to an Ilocana niece of Tony Raquiza and to transfer his laboratory here. He has agreed to.
He will convert the F-86 jet fighters which can go Mach .9 to Mach 1.4 on addition of one more engine—as designed by North American Aircraft and worked out by them—the first prototype to be made here in the Philippines.
He, also, will provide hydrazine powered electric source for relay stations of TV and communications stations.
As well as windmill powered electric generators of such sophistication that they will run without repair and fuel for 30 years.
But the most important project is his setting up a laboratory and testing ground for rockets. He brings his original components from Israel and the U.S.
We have set aside a warehouse in Sangley Pt. for his lab and Corregidor for the bunkers for testing.
We may buy some Gabriel missiles, then make some completely Philippine made.
I intend to put in money on the research and science experiments of a science community I am going to set up.
Played golf from 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM [sic] at the Camp John Hay golf course. The rain yesterday last night did the course good.
The President told the province’s folk to “forget political squabbles, unite, cooperate, and face the greater challenges of nation-building.
The President called on the people of Ilocos Sur to stand united against the problems of peace and order now that the “elections are over and that we should respect the electorate’s will in the last elections.”
The President’s speech, tape-recorded in Baguio City was broadcast over the radio stations because of the cancellation of his scheduled Vigan trip.
The President, through Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., issued a proclamation declaring Tuesday, January 4, a special public holiday in the Bicol region. The day marks the anniversary of the execution of the 15 martyrs of the Bicol in 1897.
Imelda met us on the 8th and 9th holes. Good natured ribbing. I suddenly recovered my mood shots. Missed a birdie on the 9th on two meter downhill putt.
Slept up to 5:00 from 3:20 PM. Then went to pick up Imelda at Joe Campos’ house. And talked with Max Goldberger 7:00-8:00 PM and mayor-elect [Antonio] Feraren of San Fernando, La Union, Gov. [Juvenal] Guerrero and Cong. Joe [Jose] Aspiras on the conversion of San Fernando-Bauang into a tourist spot by first bringing about peace and order in the towns by choosing good policemen, then encouraging investment like the AG&P prefabricated bridges and piers.