The Journal of an Unknown Knight

Book excerpt: The Journal of an Unknown Knight begins in the Philippines in 1944, the year the author was born, and then spans a period of 65 years, up through March 2009. The first part of the book relates Jose Alejandrino's early years in Europe and the United States. Since his father was a diplomat, Alejandrino left the Philippines when he was seven years old. He was schooled in Bangkok, Madrid, England, Pakistan, Paris and New York City. He now lives in a small mountain village near Marbella on the southern coast of Spain. As a boy, he read Thomas Malory's King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table, which had a big impact. I fantasized myself as one of Arthur's knights and it remained embedded in my mind. Alejandrino published his first book in 1981. As a journalist with the Manila Chronicle, he had a column called Rosebud. The author has come to finally understand his life's quest, and through it, the significance of the Holy Grail. Alejandrino would have written this book long ago if he had not promised Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos that he would not reveal certain things that happened prior to and during his presidency. But over 10 years have passed since Ramos left power. I feel it's time to tell the story. The world and the Filipino people have a right to know what really happened. He adds, I fulfilled my obligations as a knight. I fought good battles and remained true to myself.