Rodolfo Cuenca (b.1928), the son of a well known Manila family is himself a major figure the country's economy as a builder of major highways and bridges - and is also called a "Marcos Crony". Cuenca has worked with the author of this biography which offers his perspectives on many of the country's influential personalities and events. Among the many areas discussed are the roles of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, impacts of the Japanese invasion, perceptions of corruption, the rise and fall of the vast Construction Development Corporation of the Philippines and his own years of exile 1984-1990. The account ends with Cuenca's comments on the country's present prospects. With black-and-white photographs.