César Fernando María Tianko Basa (21 June 1915 – 12 December 1941) was a Filipino military pilot who fought in World War II.

Several dogfights ensued as Villamor and his men fought to prevent the pack of bombers and their fighter escorts from reaching and bombing Lipa Airfield.

[4] Lieutenant Basa, still airborne after a two hour air-reconnaissance mission, rushed to the scene and attempted to join the aerial engagement with only 15 minutes' worth of fuel left in his P-26, but was intercepted by seven Japanese fighters and his aircraft disabled.

He was able to return to Nichols Airfield and run for cover, but received a fatal head injury when a Japanese fighter strafed his aircraft.

Lt. Victor Osias attempted to rescue him, but Basa expired in his arms,[1] the first Filipino fighter-pilot casualty of the war.