Paulino Cruz (Tata Pol Cruz) was born the 22nd of June, 1937. He was a cherished friend, a dedicated volunteer , a wonderful father and teacher, an outstanding Filipino, and son of Olongapo.
A short video on the life and works of Tata Pol Cruz
Paul started out as an apprentice in the US Navy base in Subic and rose to be one of the master of the guilds of Ship Repair Facility SRF, and an exemplary leader of the working force of Subic.
Paul was one of the first volunteers of Subic who took a leap of faith in our idea of building the first free port in the Philippines and made Subic the acknowleged succesful model of military base conversion to commercial use.
He together with a few base employees joined me from the very beginning in lobbying for the free port which we proposed in the Senate, and through the period of protecting and preserving the facilities left by the US Navy and through the successful management of the former base.
His wife Carmen Cruz and his entire family, Carlito Cruz, Crisostomo Israel Cruz, Rani Cruz, all volunteered in Subic and are worthy citizens of our country.
Olongapo’s volunteers are saddened but nonetheless are proud of this very respected man who humbly but very significantly did so much for his community and fellow citizens.
– Richard “Dick” Gordon June 13, 2015