New posthumous Nick Joaquin book profiles Ramon D. Bagatsing

“BOMBAY! A True-Blue Filipino” is published on the birth anniversary of Manila’s longest-serving mayor.

More than two decades after his death, National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin’s works continue to find their way to a new generation of readers.

A new posthumous biography by Joaquin, “BOMBAY! A True-Blue Filipino: Ramon D. Bagatsing, The Longest-serving Mayor of the City of Manila, 1971 to 1986,” tells the story of the former Manila mayor.

The Milflores Publishing title was launched on Aug. 19, Bagatsing’s birth anniversary, at Manila City Hall.

Bagatsing served as Manila mayor from 1971 to 1986, making him the city’s longest-serving mayor. According to the Varsitarian—the official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, his alma mater—he first worked as a Manila patrolman in 1939 before serving as a World War II soldier in 1941. He later pursued law and politics, earning a Master of Laws degree from the UST Graduate School in 1971 and a Doctor of Civil Law degree in 1977. He also served three terms as congressman for Manila’s third district.

Bagatsing was among the survivors of the 1971 Plaza Miranda bombing, which resulted in the amputation of his right leg, according to The Varsitarian. He continued his political career with a prosthetic limb and received over 500 awards and citations for his work in politics, social services, the military and business.

His ties to UST extended beyond his studies. Bagatsing served as a panelist for Doctor of Civil Law dissertations in the ’70s and ’80s. He was also an active member of the UST GS Alumni Association and supported its scholarship programs and annual awards through regular donations.

Bagatsing died on Feb. 14, 2006, due to cardiac arrest at 89.

There’s also a connection between Joaquin and the Bagatsing family. In the 2015 documentary drama “Dahling Nick,” actor Raymond Bagatsing, Ramon D. Bagatsing’s grandson, portrayed the legendary Filipino writer.

“BOMBAY!” adds to a body of work that continued to emerge after his death in 2004. His posthumous books include the biographies “To Leave a Good Name: The Legacy of Alfonso T. Yuchengco” (2005), “Ed Angara: Seer of Sea & Sierra” (2006), and “ABE: A Frank Sketch of E. Aguilar Cruz” (2006), as well as “Gotita de Dragon and Other Stories” (2014) and “ACCRA and the Post-Bellum Bar” (2015).

Joaquin was a fictionist, journalist, essayist, playwright, poet, and biographer who produced dozens of works—often exploring Philippine history, culture and identity. He became a National Artist in 1976, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Filipino writers who ever lived.

Milflores has also republished two of Joaquin’s earlier works, “Rizal in Saga: A Life for Student Fans” (1996) and “Manila, My Manila: A History for the Young” (1990).

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