Written June 19th, Monday
evening at the “Ulot
Intercon”—
Woke up at 10:00 AM. Mass at 12:00 AM.
Arrived at Canauag pilot Station at 2:00 PM (24 hours from Manila) and a[t] Tacloban at 4:15 PM although we had to stop at the San Juanico Bridge to allow our arrival at the scheduled time of 4:15 PM.
Ordered movies and panorama still shots in color and black and white to be taken of the San Juanico Strait with its scenic tight turns and narrow passage. One thing about Samar and Leyte at this time of the year—it is verdant green.
Tumultuous and spontaneous welcome complete with placards. Almost broke the formal guard of honor at the pier. Imelda was in tears.
Mass at the Sto. Niño Church of Tacloban where I led the prayer after the Credo. This was the prayer for the Sto. Niño when I was Hermano mayor in 1968. The Monseñor Parado of Tacloban asked me to say a few words. I thanked the people for the warm and happy welcome although we had come on a sorrowful journey to interr our unborn child with whom so many dreams had died “’with the grandparents at Tolosa.” And we would always reciprocate their love and affection.
I started out by saying we would help rebuild the church, the altar of which was burned when the Holy Infant Academy was burned by the subversives.
Then merienda at Gov. Kokoy [Benjamin] Romualdez White House.
On to Tolosa. But were stopped on the way although already dark by cheering happy people giving out with the Victory fingers signal.
Arrived at Ulot at about 8:00 PM with a quarter moon still high in the sky.
Official Gazette for June 18, 1972: THE PRESIDENT, while en route to Leyte, worked on state papers in his cabin the whole morning and early afternoon.
Among other actions, the President signed and submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nominations of 11 individuals to the judiciary.
He likewise designated eight government officials and private individuals to various posts in the government.
The President and the First Lady landed at 5 p.m. at the Tacloban pier. A big crowd of welcomers led by Gov. Benjamin Romualdez met them on their arrival.
From the pier, the First Couple motored to the Romualdez resthouse in Barrio Olot, Tolosa, where they usually stay while in Leyte.
Beautiful weather. The new house now dubbed the “Ulot Intercon” turned out to be utilitarian but decorative. And cool. The wind from the south curls around the mountain south of the house and hits it full. Unlike the old house which is warmer. Although all the 15 rooms are airconditioned. The big sala below is open to the large sundeck.
But I seem to be starting out with a cold. So I took 2 pills of Decolgen.
After a call to [Francisco] Kits Tatad I made a tentative reply to Pres. [Diosdado] Macapagal’s second letter to me.