Behold the Radiance

About the Author Hilarion M. Henares, Jr. is the bridge of the last generation of nationalist writers and the coming one. His passionate nationalist ideology which is not different from that of the legendary intellectual. Senator Recto, is present in his more important writings and public pronouncements. His probings on the present stirrings in our kind of society deserves more than a passing notice. But Larry Henares is more than a spokesman of nationalist economic philosophy. He is also a lover of the good life. His interests in arts and letters is deep-rooted. He admires Adlai Stevenson for his nobility and for his intellectual pride. In some extent, Recto and Stevenson are the models that he seemed to adopt in his public life. His capacity for oral communication more than confirm this attitude. Henares had been, among all others, head of a multi-million peso industrial complex and President of the Philippine Chamber of Industries. During the Macapagal regime, he was the highest paid member of the cabinet as Chairman of the National Economic Council. He had also an occasion to be a Dean of a university at a very young age of twenty-five. On May 15, 1965, Henares, Jr. was conferred a degree of Doctor of Economics, honoris causa, by the Arancta University "for outstanding contribution to the national welfare as an educator, entrepreneur, writer, civic leader, economist, devoted public servant, and a nationalist." Clearly young as he is, Henares is at the pinnacle of his career. The triangulation of events will in the end inexorably point to his passionate destiny as a leader. As NEC Chairman, Secretary Henares took the initiative to conduct the now famous hearings on the Laurel-Langley Agreement in 1964 - a development that that crystallized public opinion on the "parity rights" granted to American citizens, provoked a series of public demonstrations against the American Embassy, and set the stage for a resurgence of nationalist fervor, culminating in a national consensus not to extend parity rights to Americans beyond 1974, the terminal date of the treaty Even the U.S. State Department was constrained to declare that the American government shall not seek such extension. Henares went further. Through his initiative, the Council passed a resolution declaring it against national interest to recognize the "vested" rights of Americans" now enjoying parity to continue enjoying it beyond 1974. Several policy resolutions passed by the Council during Secretary Henares' tenure reflect the nationalist influence which he injected into the administration of President Macapagal. One of these, in unequivocal terms, condemned the practice and existence of wholly-owned subsidiaries in the Philippines, and declared it a national policy to extend investment incentives only to joint ventures and wholly owned Filipino enterprises. Another, condemned the attempts of foreign lobbyists to emasculate the Retail Trade Nationalization Act. And another opposed in principle the entry of foreign investments in an area already pre-empted by Filipino pioneers sufficiently producing for the domestic market. Appendix Y What they said One of the most brilliant in my cabinet . . Secretary Henares has a sharp intellect and a mighty pen. These and his knowledge of economics and healthy nationalism make him one of the truly valuably leaders of our people today. DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL President of the Republic of the Philippines Henares' writings clearly indicate the tone and mag- nitude of his basic philosophy and ideas. Whether it be in economics, or in his more intense moments, in matters affecting the dilemma of man himself in this mechanized world, Henares displays a passion for truth and an in- telligence (MORE INSIDE)