Very often I was designated as the Tactical Officer for the enlisted men in their school. I conducted inspection of their barracks every Saturday and drilled them. I was accountable for their discipline.
One student, S/Sgt. Regita, a famous movie actor who goes by the name RED NAVARRO, went on AWOL (absence without leave). He was a very handsome American mestizo.
As AWOL for one week, he was due for Court Martial. I had his fate in my hands. He came to me pleading for mercy, claiming that he had a shooting of a very important movie which needed his presence very badly. He was single, young, famous, and had a bright future also as Radio Announcer.
I told him to do these things:
- Prepare their barracks to be number one during my inspection of the four EMs barracks;
- Prepare the surrounding garden and yard to be the number one during my inspection.
He promised to do so. I emphasized to him that only his barrackmates could testify against him and if he gained their favor, they would not squeal on his being on AWOL.
During my inspection, their barracks and their yard were awarded number one!
I did not file charges against him. He was very grateful to me and gave Pat a beautiful maid, who had a child with him. On weekends he would bring us fish or capis from Cavite, even after his graduation from the P.C. School.
During the KOMOSTAAN programs in Washington, D.C., in 1985 when all movie and radio personalities were brought to entertain all Filipinos in the U.S.A., he was the Master of Ceremonies at the stage. When he saw me, he came down to salute me, embrace me, and we had pictures together. He used to mention my name in his radio broadcasts in Manila as a “VERY GOOD OFFICER.”
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