Island of fear / by Reuben R. Canoy.

Early in the 16th century, the Spanish galleon "Felicidad", i search of another route to the fabled Spice Islands, ran into a strong typhoon in the Pacific Ocean. Only the grace of the Holy Infant of Salamanca saved the ship from a watery grave. With masts broken and sails torn to shreds, it drifted far south of its intended course and limped into the sheltered bay of an island that none ever knew existed. After celebrating a mass of thanksgiving on the shore with his men, Captain Gervacio Figueroa claimed the territory on behalf of the King of Spain, who had personally financed the voyage, and named it "San Felipe". Through the years, the colony changed hands a number of times as the Spaniards, English, Portuguese and the Dutch fought for possession of it. The Americans acquired it by purchase at the turn of the century and, in a bold political experiment, established a democracy patterned after their own. Blessed with dazzling white beaches, clear blue waters, an lush green hills, San Felipe was famous as "the Pacific Paradise" -- until Julio Marquez declared martial law and installed himself President-for-Life. Then it became known as "the island of fear". --From the first page