Dr Domingo C Bascara

[Photo credit: Reader's Digest & Cornelio R. Bascara on FB's History of Bataan]

Dr. Domingo Cabritit Bascara

Domingo C. Bascara was born in Mabatang, Abucay, Bataan (ca. 1910) to Serapia Cabritit and Quirico Bascara. He finished law at the Philippine Law School. He was the first Filipino General-Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Organization (YMCA-Philippines from 1941-1977), thus earning him the monicker "Mr. YMCA".   For his contributions in strengthening democracy in the Philippines especially after WW II, the Sir George Williams College in Wisconsin, USA conferred him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.   He is member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Philippines, 33rd degree, President of Philippine Boys Scout of the Philippines,  Excecutive Secretary of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement and President of the Rizal Youth Leadership Training Institute [Foundation], among other things.   Featured in the May 1957 issue of the US-based Reader's Digest, editor Clarence Hall referred to Bascara as the man who taught "Asians to be free" due to his endeavors in snatching the barrio folks particulary the youth from the attraction of Communism. (Source: Reader's Digest, May 1957).