Now why wouldn't the Japanese attack Manila? It's only the capital city of the United States' major possession in Asia. I mean of course I wouldn't attack it if I were Japan. Let's see, Japan, imperialist aspirations, already raped big cities like Nanjing... yeah they'll skip right over Manila, Pearl of the Orient, American.

Now why wouldn't the Japanese attack Manila? It's only the capital city of the United States' major possession in Asia. I mean of course I wouldn't attack it if I were Japan. Let's see, Japan, imperialist aspirations, already raped big cities like Nanjing... yeah they'll skip right over Manila, Pearl of the Orient, American.

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/SEAiT/data/images/nara/large/ph00930l.jpg

Bombs dropped in Manila, 1944

A very reliable souce told me that this particular bomb came from American forces. How weird is that?

I'm not an expert on building structures in Manila, but what is that islet in the river?

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/SEAiT/data/images/nara/large/ph00930l.jpg

Bombs dropped in Manila, 1944

A very reliable souce told me that this particular bomb came from American forces. How weird is that?

I'm not an expert on building structures in Manila, but what is that islet in the river?

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/SEAiT/data/images/nara/large/ph00930l.jpg

Bombs dropped in Manila, 1944

A very reliable souce told me that this particular bomb came from American forces. How weird is that?

I'm not an expert on building structures in Manila, but what is that islet in the river?

My reliable source was reliable indeed! Thanks Hawayano. My source even added that the destruction of Manila shouldn't have happened if not for Gen. Douglas McArthur's 'miscalculation.' He was all too confident that the Japanese wouldn't attack Manila. Another useless but interesting information: Gen. McArthur was 'mama's boy.' His mum would send his packed lunch every day when he was still studying at the military school. I don't think Manila was in good hands given the fact that Mr. I Shall Return would die if his mum was not around.


First off, I'd like to say that I'm proud to see so many younger generation pinoys in here with so much concern for our rich culture and history. I'm glad we're taking a "revisionist" view of Douglas MacArthur...did you also know that in late 1944, he met under tight security here in Honolulu with Admiral Chester Nimitz and Franklin D. Roosevelt to plot our beloved Manila's doom? Yessiree--Nimitz argued that the way to make Japan capitulate was to hit Formosa from Micronesia, then head onto the main Japanese islands from the south. This would in effect cut Japan off from its SE Asian supply lines. However, MacArthur won with his argument that the US had a moral obligation to redeem his "I shall return" promise made in 1942.

To rub more salt into our collective Filipino wounds, as US forces converged on Manila in January 1945, MacArthur envisioned heading a triumphant grand parade into the city along Espana, down Quezon Blvd, Burgos and onto Dewey much like the victorious Allied march into Paris along the Champs Elysees!! What an ego--did he ever underestimate the destructive tenacity of Nippon's insanely desperate troops that were trapped in our capital.

My reliable source was reliable indeed! Thanks Hawayano. My source even added that the destruction of Manila shouldn't have happened if not for Gen. Douglas McArthur's 'miscalculation.' He was all too confident that the Japanese wouldn't attack Manila. Another useless but interesting information: Gen. McArthur was 'mama's boy.' His mum would send his packed lunch every day when he was still studying at the military school. I don't think Manila was in good hands given the fact that Mr. I Shall Return would die if his mum was not around.


First off, I'd like to say that I'm proud to see so many younger generation pinoys in here with so much concern for our rich culture and history. I'm glad we're taking a "revisionist" view of Douglas MacArthur...did you also know that in late 1944, he met under tight security here in Honolulu with Admiral Chester Nimitz and Franklin D. Roosevelt to plot our beloved Manila's doom? Yessiree--Nimitz argued that the way to make Japan capitulate was to hit Formosa from Micronesia, then head onto the main Japanese islands from the south. This would in effect cut Japan off from its SE Asian supply lines. However, MacArthur won with his argument that the US had a moral obligation to redeem his "I shall return" promise made in 1942.

To rub more salt into our collective Filipino wounds, as US forces converged on Manila in January 1945, MacArthur envisioned heading a triumphant grand parade into the city along Espana, down Quezon Blvd, Burgos and onto Dewey much like the victorious Allied march into Paris along the Champs Elysees!! What an ego--did he ever underestimate the destructive tenacity of Nippon's insanely desperate troops that were trapped in our capital.

My reliable source was reliable indeed! Thanks Hawayano. My source even added that the destruction of Manila shouldn't have happened if not for Gen. Douglas McArthur's 'miscalculation.' He was all too confident that the Japanese wouldn't attack Manila. Another useless but interesting information: Gen. McArthur was 'mama's boy.' His mum would send his packed lunch every day when he was still studying at the military school. I don't think Manila was in good hands given the fact that Mr. I Shall Return would die if his mum was not around.


First off, I'd like to say that I'm proud to see so many younger generation pinoys in here with so much concern for our rich culture and history. I'm glad we're taking a "revisionist" view of Douglas MacArthur...did you also know that in late 1944, he met under tight security here in Honolulu with Admiral Chester Nimitz and Franklin D. Roosevelt to plot our beloved Manila's doom? Yessiree--Nimitz argued that the way to make Japan capitulate was to hit Formosa from Micronesia, then head onto the main Japanese islands from the south. This would in effect cut Japan off from its SE Asian supply lines. However, MacArthur won with his argument that the US had a moral obligation to redeem his "I shall return" promise made in 1942.

To rub more salt into our collective Filipino wounds, as US forces converged on Manila in January 1945, MacArthur envisioned heading a triumphant grand parade into the city along Espana, down Quezon Blvd, Burgos and onto Dewey much like the victorious Allied march into Paris along the Champs Elysees!! What an ego--did he ever underestimate the destructive tenacity of Nippon's insanely desperate troops that were trapped in our capital.

I'm not an expert on building structures in Manila, but what is that islet in the river?

Animo, that's Isla de la Convalesencia, where the Puente de Ayala intersects its apex. I remember when there was an orphanage run by nuns on the island, and unwanted babies could be plopped into a turncradle at the gateway right off the bridge's midpoint, and the nuns would take them in--anonymity intact. I think the chapel is still there on the island--its cupola stood out on the Makati end. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong :)

I'm not an expert on building structures in Manila, but what is that islet in the river?

Animo, that's Isla de la Convalesencia, where the Puente de Ayala intersects its apex. I remember when there was an orphanage run by nuns on the island, and unwanted babies could be plopped into a turncradle at the gateway right off the bridge's midpoint, and the nuns would take them in--anonymity intact. I think the chapel is still there on the island--its cupola stood out on the Makati end. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong :)

I'm not an expert on building structures in Manila, but what is that islet in the river?

Animo, that's Isla de la Convalesencia, where the Puente de Ayala intersects its apex. I remember when there was an orphanage run by nuns on the island, and unwanted babies could be plopped into a turncradle at the gateway right off the bridge's midpoint, and the nuns would take them in--anonymity intact. I think the chapel is still there on the island--its cupola stood out on the Makati end. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong :)

the orphanage on that island is Hospicio de San Jose... if I'm not mistaken.. it is still a hospice 'till at present..

the orphanage on that island is Hospicio de San Jose... if I'm not mistaken.. it is still a hospice 'till at present..

the orphanage on that island is Hospicio de San Jose... if I'm not mistaken.. it is still a hospice 'till at present..

http://image.pathfinder.com/Life/millennium/images/mydans.jpg

I also read somewhere that the above photo was just 'scripted.' When Gen. MacArthur heard that Life Magazine was coming, he asked his troops to stage the 'I Shall Return' walking like Jesus Christ on the shores of Leyte. The general on the photo really looked like he was aware that someone was taking his picture. Now I'm pretty certain that the photo below is also a sham. And I quote Joseph Conrad, "He a man! Hell! He was a hollow sham!"

http://www.e-yliko.gr/Fyyl/Istoria/prosopawwarII/Douglas%20MacArthur.gif

http://image.pathfinder.com/Life/millennium/images/mydans.jpg

I also read somewhere that the above photo was just 'scripted.' When Gen. MacArthur heard that Life Magazine was coming, he asked his troops to stage the 'I Shall Return' walking like Jesus Christ on the shores of Leyte. The general on the photo really looked like he was aware that someone was taking his picture. Now I'm pretty certain that the photo below is also a sham. And I quote Joseph Conrad, "He a man! Hell! He was a hollow sham!"

http://www.e-yliko.gr/Fyyl/Istoria/prosopawwarII/Douglas%20MacArthur.gif

http://image.pathfinder.com/Life/millennium/images/mydans.jpg

I also read somewhere that the above photo was just 'scripted.' When Gen. MacArthur heard that Life Magazine was coming, he asked his troops to stage the 'I Shall Return' walking like Jesus Christ on the shores of Leyte. The general on the photo really looked like he was aware that someone was taking his picture. Now I'm pretty certain that the photo below is also a sham. And I quote Joseph Conrad, "He a man! Hell! He was a hollow sham!"

http://www.e-yliko.gr/Fyyl/Istoria/prosopawwarII/Douglas%20MacArthur.gif

Animo, that's Isla de la Convalesencia, where the Puente de Ayala intersects its apex. I remember when there was an orphanage run by nuns on the island, and unwanted babies could be plopped into a turncradle at the gateway right off the bridge's midpoint, and the nuns would take them in--anonymity intact. I think the chapel is still there on the island--its cupola stood out on the Makati end. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong :)


it's actually Isla de Convalencia where the orphanage called "Hospicio de San Jose" is located. It's still there i believe.

Animo, that's Isla de la Convalesencia, where the Puente de Ayala intersects its apex. I remember when there was an orphanage run by nuns on the island, and unwanted babies could be plopped into a turncradle at the gateway right off the bridge's midpoint, and the nuns would take them in--anonymity intact. I think the chapel is still there on the island--its cupola stood out on the Makati end. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong :)


it's actually Isla de Convalencia where the orphanage called "Hospicio de San Jose" is located. It's still there i believe.

Animo, that's Isla de la Convalesencia, where the Puente de Ayala intersects its apex. I remember when there was an orphanage run by nuns on the island, and unwanted babies could be plopped into a turncradle at the gateway right off the bridge's midpoint, and the nuns would take them in--anonymity intact. I think the chapel is still there on the island--its cupola stood out on the Makati end. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong :)


it's actually Isla de Convalencia where the orphanage called "Hospicio de San Jose" is located. It's still there i believe.

http://image.pathfinder.com/Life/millennium/images/mydans.jpg

http://www.e-yliko.gr/Fyyl/Istoria/prosopawwarII/Douglas%20MacArthur.gif

i found out from my bro; McArthur these days mean when you flush your poop, the pooh that came back is called McArthur. I'll shall return :D

http://image.pathfinder.com/Life/millennium/images/mydans.jpg

http://www.e-yliko.gr/Fyyl/Istoria/prosopawwarII/Douglas%20MacArthur.gif

i found out from my bro; McArthur these days mean when you flush your poop, the pooh that came back is called McArthur. I'll shall return :D

http://image.pathfinder.com/Life/millennium/images/mydans.jpg

http://www.e-yliko.gr/Fyyl/Istoria/prosopawwarII/Douglas%20MacArthur.gif

i found out from my bro; McArthur these days mean when you flush your poop, the pooh that came back is called McArthur. I'll shall return :D

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/manila3.jpg

Manila after the war. Regina Building in the background still looks intact.

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/manila3.jpg

Manila after the war. Regina Building in the background still looks intact.

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/manila3.jpg

Manila after the war. Regina Building in the background still looks intact.

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/manila1.jpg
Philippine National Bank

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/sto.tomas.jpg
Santo Tomas (I suppose this was the one in Intramuros)

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/manila.hotel.jpg
Manila Hotel

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/postoffice.jpg
Manila Post Office

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/quezon.bridge.jpg
Quezon Bridge

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/sanluis.terrace.jpg
San Luiz Terraces

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/argi.comm.bldg.jpg
I suppose this is now the National Museum

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/cityhall.jpg
Manila City Hall

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/manila1.jpg
Philippine National Bank

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/sto.tomas.jpg
Santo Tomas (I suppose this was the one in Intramuros)

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/manila.hotel.jpg
Manila Hotel

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/postoffice.jpg
Manila Post Office

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/quezon.bridge.jpg
Quezon Bridge

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/sanluis.terrace.jpg
San Luiz Terraces

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/argi.comm.bldg.jpg
I suppose this is now the National Museum

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/cityhall.jpg
Manila City Hall

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/manila1.jpg
Philippine National Bank

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/sto.tomas.jpg
Santo Tomas (I suppose this was the one in Intramuros)

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/manila.hotel.jpg
Manila Hotel

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/postoffice.jpg
Manila Post Office

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/quezon.bridge.jpg
Quezon Bridge

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/sanluis.terrace.jpg
San Luiz Terraces

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/argi.comm.bldg.jpg
I suppose this is now the National Museum

http://www.clarkfield-ww2.com/manila/cityhall.jpg
Manila City Hall

http://image.pathfinder.com/Life/millennium/images/mydans.jpg

I also read somewhere that the above photo was just 'scripted.' When Gen. MacArthur heard that Life Magazine was coming, he asked his troops to stage the 'I Shall Return' walking like Jesus Christ on the shores of Leyte. The general on the photo really looked like he was aware that someone was taking his picture. Now I'm pretty certain that the photo below is also a sham. And I quote Joseph Conrad, "He a man! Hell! He was a hollow sham!"

http://www.e-yliko.gr/Fyyl/Istoria/prosopawwarII/Douglas%20MacArthur.gif

This actually reminds me of the 50th anniversary of Leyte Landing. The guy playing MacArthur tripped and fell into the water as the stepped off the boat.

http://image.pathfinder.com/Life/millennium/images/mydans.jpg

I also read somewhere that the above photo was just 'scripted.' When Gen. MacArthur heard that Life Magazine was coming, he asked his troops to stage the 'I Shall Return' walking like Jesus Christ on the shores of Leyte. The general on the photo really looked like he was aware that someone was taking his picture. Now I'm pretty certain that the photo below is also a sham. And I quote Joseph Conrad, "He a man! Hell! He was a hollow sham!"

http://www.e-yliko.gr/Fyyl/Istoria/prosopawwarII/Douglas%20MacArthur.gif

This actually reminds me of the 50th anniversary of Leyte Landing. The guy playing MacArthur tripped and fell into the water as the stepped off the boat.

http://image.pathfinder.com/Life/millennium/images/mydans.jpg

I also read somewhere that the above photo was just 'scripted.' When Gen. MacArthur heard that Life Magazine was coming, he asked his troops to stage the 'I Shall Return' walking like Jesus Christ on the shores of Leyte. The general on the photo really looked like he was aware that someone was taking his picture. Now I'm pretty certain that the photo below is also a sham. And I quote Joseph Conrad, "He a man! Hell! He was a hollow sham!"

http://www.e-yliko.gr/Fyyl/Istoria/prosopawwarII/Douglas%20MacArthur.gif

This actually reminds me of the 50th anniversary of Leyte Landing. The guy playing MacArthur tripped and fell into the water as the stepped off the boat.

This actually reminds me of the 50th anniversary of Leyte Landing. The guy playing MacArthur tripped and fell into the water as the stepped off the boat.

I saw that on TV. I think it was shown around 1994 when I was in second year highschool (Ramos administration) and I remember I was laughing so hard. :)

This actually reminds me of the 50th anniversary of Leyte Landing. The guy playing MacArthur tripped and fell into the water as the stepped off the boat.

I saw that on TV. I think it was shown around 1994 when I was in second year highschool (Ramos administration) and I remember I was laughing so hard. :)

This actually reminds me of the 50th anniversary of Leyte Landing. The guy playing MacArthur tripped and fell into the water as the stepped off the boat.

I saw that on TV. I think it was shown around 1994 when I was in second year highschool (Ramos administration) and I remember I was laughing so hard. :)

I saw that on TV. I think it was shown around 1994 when I was in second year highschool (Ramos administration) and I remember I was laughing so hard. :)

So that was the event. I always wondered why they always spoof Mcarthur that he tripped when he arrived. :)

I saw that on TV. I think it was shown around 1994 when I was in second year highschool (Ramos administration) and I remember I was laughing so hard. :)

So that was the event. I always wondered why they always spoof Mcarthur that he tripped when he arrived. :)

I saw that on TV. I think it was shown around 1994 when I was in second year highschool (Ramos administration) and I remember I was laughing so hard. :)

So that was the event. I always wondered why they always spoof Mcarthur that he tripped when he arrived. :)

speaking of macarthur--it was written in the papers here in australia that many filipino and american officials, soldiers and their families (along with military supply and equipment) could not be airlifted going to australia to escape the japanese invasion because the airplanes (and later the submarines) had to prioritize macarthur and his wife's clothes, jewelry, gowns, tobacco, suits, antiques, porcelain, dinner sets, mink coats and other personal effects. mas imeldific pa sila kay imelda. dala nila kaban ng bayan natin.

speaking of macarthur--it was written in the papers here in australia that many filipino and american officials, soldiers and their families (along with military supply and equipment) could not be airlifted going to australia to escape the japanese invasion because the airplanes (and later the submarines) had to prioritize macarthur and his wife's clothes, jewelry, gowns, tobacco, suits, antiques, porcelain, dinner sets, mink coats and other personal effects. mas imeldific pa sila kay imelda. dala nila kaban ng bayan natin.

speaking of macarthur--it was written in the papers here in australia that many filipino and american officials, soldiers and their families (along with military supply and equipment) could not be airlifted going to australia to escape the japanese invasion because the airplanes (and later the submarines) had to prioritize macarthur and his wife's clothes, jewelry, gowns, tobacco, suits, antiques, porcelain, dinner sets, mink coats and other personal effects. mas imeldific pa sila kay imelda. dala nila kaban ng bayan natin.

actually those photos are just a second take, proof to everyone that it was just scripted.... they had to retake it,.. because the first one didn't look dramatic enough

actually those photos are just a second take, proof to everyone that it was just scripted.... they had to retake it,.. because the first one didn't look dramatic enough

actually those photos are just a second take, proof to everyone that it was just scripted.... they had to retake it,.. because the first one didn't look dramatic enough

This actually reminds me of the 50th anniversary of Leyte Landing. The guy playing MacArthur tripped and fell into the water as the stepped off the boat.

:lol: hearing about it made me laugh, much more if i saw it:D

This actually reminds me of the 50th anniversary of Leyte Landing. The guy playing MacArthur tripped and fell into the water as the stepped off the boat.

:lol: hearing about it made me laugh, much more if i saw it:D

This actually reminds me of the 50th anniversary of Leyte Landing. The guy playing MacArthur tripped and fell into the water as the stepped off the boat.

:lol: hearing about it made me laugh, much more if i saw it:D

one of those boats shown in post #76 probably could still be used by the PN :D but interesting pics those

one of those boats shown in post #76 probably could still be used by the PN :D but interesting pics those

one of those boats shown in post #76 probably could still be used by the PN :D but interesting pics those

That's true, Wonderboy...this much-publicized photo (in US wartime press releases) shows a bomb being dropped from an American bomber over Manila in late 1944. Although it looks as if it's headed straight for the government center, it's target was the port area installations, which it finally did hit.

But the aerial is great documentation of the layout of the buildings along Padre Burgos and the south bank of the Pasig--look how much the City Hall resembles a huge coffin! Yikes!

You're right Hawayano! The Manila City Hall really looks like a huge coffin!

http://p.vtourist.com/889988-City_Scene-Manila.jpg

That's true, Wonderboy...this much-publicized photo (in US wartime press releases) shows a bomb being dropped from an American bomber over Manila in late 1944. Although it looks as if it's headed straight for the government center, it's target was the port area installations, which it finally did hit.

But the aerial is great documentation of the layout of the buildings along Padre Burgos and the south bank of the Pasig--look how much the City Hall resembles a huge coffin! Yikes!

You're right Hawayano! The Manila City Hall really looks like a huge coffin!

http://p.vtourist.com/889988-City_Scene-Manila.jpg

That's true, Wonderboy...this much-publicized photo (in US wartime press releases) shows a bomb being dropped from an American bomber over Manila in late 1944. Although it looks as if it's headed straight for the government center, it's target was the port area installations, which it finally did hit.

But the aerial is great documentation of the layout of the buildings along Padre Burgos and the south bank of the Pasig--look how much the City Hall resembles a huge coffin! Yikes!

You're right Hawayano! The Manila City Hall really looks like a huge coffin!

http://p.vtourist.com/889988-City_Scene-Manila.jpg

Nice pictures of the city hall ,Last week when i have went to the City hall an employee told me that there will be some renovations in the Cityhall!

:weirdo: I hope They will not riun some more historic areas and rooms of the Cityhall with Atienza around!

Nice pictures of the city hall ,Last week when i have went to the City hall an employee told me that there will be some renovations in the Cityhall!

:weirdo: I hope They will not riun some more historic areas and rooms of the Cityhall with Atienza around!

Nice pictures of the city hall ,Last week when i have went to the City hall an employee told me that there will be some renovations in the Cityhall!

:weirdo: I hope They will not riun some more historic areas and rooms of the Cityhall with Atienza around!

That's true, Wonderboy...this much-publicized photo (in US wartime press releases) shows a bomb being dropped from an American bomber over Manila in late 1944. Although it looks as if it's headed straight for the government center, it's target was the port area installations, which it finally did hit.

But the aerial is great documentation of the layout of the buildings along Padre Burgos and the south bank of the Pasig--look how much the City Hall resembles a huge coffin! Yikes!

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/SEAiT/data/images/nara/large/ph00942l.jpg

You're right Hawayano! The Manila City Hall really looks like a huge coffin. Yikes!
:)

That's true, Wonderboy...this much-publicized photo (in US wartime press releases) shows a bomb being dropped from an American bomber over Manila in late 1944. Although it looks as if it's headed straight for the government center, it's target was the port area installations, which it finally did hit.

But the aerial is great documentation of the layout of the buildings along Padre Burgos and the south bank of the Pasig--look how much the City Hall resembles a huge coffin! Yikes!

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/SEAiT/data/images/nara/large/ph00942l.jpg

You're right Hawayano! The Manila City Hall really looks like a huge coffin. Yikes!
:)

That's true, Wonderboy...this much-publicized photo (in US wartime press releases) shows a bomb being dropped from an American bomber over Manila in late 1944. Although it looks as if it's headed straight for the government center, it's target was the port area installations, which it finally did hit.

But the aerial is great documentation of the layout of the buildings along Padre Burgos and the south bank of the Pasig--look how much the City Hall resembles a huge coffin! Yikes!

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/SEAiT/data/images/nara/large/ph00942l.jpg

You're right Hawayano! The Manila City Hall really looks like a huge coffin. Yikes!
:)

^^ Interesting design!

^^ Interesting design!

^^ Interesting design!

Happy New Year, SSC hermanos y hermanas!

Have these pics been posted here yet?
1) Escolta hi-rises in ruins
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/escolta_debris.jpg

2) The pock-marked Metropolitan Theatre facade
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/Metropolitanfacade.jpg

3) Avenida Rizal--is the Avenue Theater building still standing today?
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/avenida45.jpg

4) Nichols Field, Paranaque (before it became Manila International)
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/NicholsParanaqueaerial.jpg

Happy New Year, SSC hermanos y hermanas!

Have these pics been posted here yet?
1) Escolta hi-rises in ruins
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/escolta_debris.jpg

2) The pock-marked Metropolitan Theatre facade
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/Metropolitanfacade.jpg

3) Avenida Rizal--is the Avenue Theater building still standing today?
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/avenida45.jpg

4) Nichols Field, Paranaque (before it became Manila International)
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/NicholsParanaqueaerial.jpg

Happy New Year, SSC hermanos y hermanas!

Have these pics been posted here yet?
1) Escolta hi-rises in ruins
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/escolta_debris.jpg

2) The pock-marked Metropolitan Theatre facade
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/Metropolitanfacade.jpg

3) Avenida Rizal--is the Avenue Theater building still standing today?
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/avenida45.jpg

4) Nichols Field, Paranaque (before it became Manila International)
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/NicholsParanaqueaerial.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/SanAgustin1945.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/SanAgustin1945.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/SanAgustin1945.jpg

Hindi ba Manila after Warsaw was the most devastated allied city during WW II, I think Japan was jealous about Manila as a developing city. Maybe it was a well-planned by the Japanese because they might have noticed it that Manila was a major threat as a promising economy at that time. Wasn't it?

Hindi ba Manila after Warsaw was the most devastated allied city during WW II, I think Japan was jealous about Manila as a developing city. Maybe it was a well-planned by the Japanese because they might have noticed it that Manila was a major threat as a promising economy at that time. Wasn't it?

Hindi ba Manila after Warsaw was the most devastated allied city during WW II, I think Japan was jealous about Manila as a developing city. Maybe it was a well-planned by the Japanese because they might have noticed it that Manila was a major threat as a promising economy at that time. Wasn't it?

Hindi ba Manila after Warsaw was the most devastated allied city during WW II, I think Japan was jealous about Manila as a developing city. Maybe it was a well-planned by the Japanese because they might have noticed it that Manila was a major threat as a promising economy at that time. Wasn't it?

Gan'on! The Japanese punished us more severely than the neighboring occupied Asian territories because we had a city that was considered the most progressive in the region at the start of the war. Not just in health, sanitation, education and culture, but in infrastructural development as well. Remember: the Japanese propaganda mantra to win all Asians over to their side was "Asia for Asiatics". What made the Philippines such a hard-sell was that we had assimilated Castilian and North American cultural traits to the point that the "divine race" of Nippon looked down upon us as being contaminated and too far removed from our Asian roots.

Hindi ba Manila after Warsaw was the most devastated allied city during WW II, I think Japan was jealous about Manila as a developing city. Maybe it was a well-planned by the Japanese because they might have noticed it that Manila was a major threat as a promising economy at that time. Wasn't it?

Gan'on! The Japanese punished us more severely than the neighboring occupied Asian territories because we had a city that was considered the most progressive in the region at the start of the war. Not just in health, sanitation, education and culture, but in infrastructural development as well. Remember: the Japanese propaganda mantra to win all Asians over to their side was "Asia for Asiatics". What made the Philippines such a hard-sell was that we had assimilated Castilian and North American cultural traits to the point that the "divine race" of Nippon looked down upon us as being contaminated and too far removed from our Asian roots.

Hindi ba Manila after Warsaw was the most devastated allied city during WW II, I think Japan was jealous about Manila as a developing city. Maybe it was a well-planned by the Japanese because they might have noticed it that Manila was a major threat as a promising economy at that time. Wasn't it?

Gan'on! The Japanese punished us more severely than the neighboring occupied Asian territories because we had a city that was considered the most progressive in the region at the start of the war. Not just in health, sanitation, education and culture, but in infrastructural development as well. Remember: the Japanese propaganda mantra to win all Asians over to their side was "Asia for Asiatics". What made the Philippines such a hard-sell was that we had assimilated Castilian and North American cultural traits to the point that the "divine race" of Nippon looked down upon us as being contaminated and too far removed from our Asian roots.

Back to your query, rowell sk: even in ruins, one can determine the level of development around Escolta.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/HiAerialStaCruz.jpg

Back to your query, rowell sk: even in ruins, one can determine the level of development around Escolta.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/HiAerialStaCruz.jpg

Back to your query, rowell sk: even in ruins, one can determine the level of development around Escolta.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/HiAerialStaCruz.jpg

We've surely seen this pic before...
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/opencity.gif

We've surely seen this pic before...
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/opencity.gif

We've surely seen this pic before...
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/opencity.gif

October 1943: Premier Hideki Tojo arrives at Nichols Field for the inauguration of the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/TojoarrivesNichols.jpg

Check out those twin-engine bombers!

October 1943: Premier Hideki Tojo arrives at Nichols Field for the inauguration of the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/TojoarrivesNichols.jpg

Check out those twin-engine bombers!

October 1943: Premier Hideki Tojo arrives at Nichols Field for the inauguration of the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/TojoarrivesNichols.jpg

Check out those twin-engine bombers!

Sayang talaga. The momentum of our development was stopped.

Sayang talaga. The momentum of our development was stopped.

Sayang talaga. The momentum of our development was stopped.

Gan'on! The Japanese punished us more severely than the neighboring occupied Asian territories because we had a city that was considered the most progressive in the region at the start of the war. Not just in health, sanitation, education and culture, but in infrastructural development as well. Remember: the Japanese propaganda mantra to win all Asians over to their side was "Asia for Asiatics". What made the Philippines such a hard-sell was that we had assimilated Castilian and North American cultural traits to the point that the "divine race" of Nippon looked down upon us as being contaminated and too far removed from our Asian roots.

So true and they punished the Philippines because we were considered as their rival in Asia during that time.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/HiAerialStaCruz.jpg

This picture could only tell the "What ifs" of our country.

Gan'on! The Japanese punished us more severely than the neighboring occupied Asian territories because we had a city that was considered the most progressive in the region at the start of the war. Not just in health, sanitation, education and culture, but in infrastructural development as well. Remember: the Japanese propaganda mantra to win all Asians over to their side was "Asia for Asiatics". What made the Philippines such a hard-sell was that we had assimilated Castilian and North American cultural traits to the point that the "divine race" of Nippon looked down upon us as being contaminated and too far removed from our Asian roots.

So true and they punished the Philippines because we were considered as their rival in Asia during that time.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/HiAerialStaCruz.jpg

This picture could only tell the "What ifs" of our country.

Gan'on! The Japanese punished us more severely than the neighboring occupied Asian territories because we had a city that was considered the most progressive in the region at the start of the war. Not just in health, sanitation, education and culture, but in infrastructural development as well. Remember: the Japanese propaganda mantra to win all Asians over to their side was "Asia for Asiatics". What made the Philippines such a hard-sell was that we had assimilated Castilian and North American cultural traits to the point that the "divine race" of Nippon looked down upon us as being contaminated and too far removed from our Asian roots.

So true and they punished the Philippines because we were considered as their rival in Asia during that time.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/HiAerialStaCruz.jpg

This picture could only tell the "What ifs" of our country.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/HiAerialStaCruz.jpg

Following up on that, Animo...

This picture can also provide some evidence of the extent to which the north port area adjacent to Tondo has been (relatively) recently reclaimed from the bay.

You can also trace the path of the major estero that once linked the Pasig with Tondo: see it wind from the bombed-out Santa Cruz bridge over the Pasig, curve behind Binondo church, and head toward Divisoria. What a cool transport network our ancestors had used--sayang it's all open sewer today!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/HiAerialStaCruz.jpg

Following up on that, Animo...

This picture can also provide some evidence of the extent to which the north port area adjacent to Tondo has been (relatively) recently reclaimed from the bay.

You can also trace the path of the major estero that once linked the Pasig with Tondo: see it wind from the bombed-out Santa Cruz bridge over the Pasig, curve behind Binondo church, and head toward Divisoria. What a cool transport network our ancestors had used--sayang it's all open sewer today!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/HiAerialStaCruz.jpg

Following up on that, Animo...

This picture can also provide some evidence of the extent to which the north port area adjacent to Tondo has been (relatively) recently reclaimed from the bay.

You can also trace the path of the major estero that once linked the Pasig with Tondo: see it wind from the bombed-out Santa Cruz bridge over the Pasig, curve behind Binondo church, and head toward Divisoria. What a cool transport network our ancestors had used--sayang it's all open sewer today!

I don't remember posting this one here yet--what a panorama of devastation when viewed from atop today's National Museum and looking toward the ruins on Burgos and Taft!
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/TopViewManila1945.jpg



Puto Seco in Pandacan
After reading first-hand accounts of the hell that was South Manila in February 1945, it helps to see some photos of survivors as opposed to the piles of dead.

Can someone find this same address today and determine what stands on the site of the puto seco factory?
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/evacuation.jpg

I don't remember posting this one here yet--what a panorama of devastation when viewed from atop today's National Museum and looking toward the ruins on Burgos and Taft!
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/TopViewManila1945.jpg



Puto Seco in Pandacan
After reading first-hand accounts of the hell that was South Manila in February 1945, it helps to see some photos of survivors as opposed to the piles of dead.

Can someone find this same address today and determine what stands on the site of the puto seco factory?
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/evacuation.jpg

I don't remember posting this one here yet--what a panorama of devastation when viewed from atop today's National Museum and looking toward the ruins on Burgos and Taft!
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/TopViewManila1945.jpg



Puto Seco in Pandacan
After reading first-hand accounts of the hell that was South Manila in February 1945, it helps to see some photos of survivors as opposed to the piles of dead.

Can someone find this same address today and determine what stands on the site of the puto seco factory?
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/evacuation.jpg

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/s200000/s202168.jpg
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (center)

Visits the ruins of the Manila hotel that was his pre-war home on Luzon, 23 February 1945.
He is accompanied by Colonel James Corbett and two infantrymen, one armed with an M1 rifle.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/s200000/s202168.jpg
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (center)

Visits the ruins of the Manila hotel that was his pre-war home on Luzon, 23 February 1945.
He is accompanied by Colonel James Corbett and two infantrymen, one armed with an M1 rifle.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/s200000/s202168.jpg
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (center)

Visits the ruins of the Manila hotel that was his pre-war home on Luzon, 23 February 1945.
He is accompanied by Colonel James Corbett and two infantrymen, one armed with an M1 rifle.

^^ Look at what I found:



http://content.lib.washington.edu/ic/image/71.jpg
Manila Hotel, Manila, 1912


Does this building still exist?

http://content.lib.washington.edu/seattle/image/640.jpg
Government of the Philippines Pavilion exterior, Century 21 Exhibition, 1962

http://content.lib.washington.edu/seattle/image/639.jpg
Government of the Philippines Pavilion interior, Century 21 Exhibition, 1962

^^ Look at what I found:



http://content.lib.washington.edu/ic/image/71.jpg
Manila Hotel, Manila, 1912


Does this building still exist?

http://content.lib.washington.edu/seattle/image/640.jpg
Government of the Philippines Pavilion exterior, Century 21 Exhibition, 1962

http://content.lib.washington.edu/seattle/image/639.jpg
Government of the Philippines Pavilion interior, Century 21 Exhibition, 1962

^^ Look at what I found:



http://content.lib.washington.edu/ic/image/71.jpg
Manila Hotel, Manila, 1912


Does this building still exist?

http://content.lib.washington.edu/seattle/image/640.jpg
Government of the Philippines Pavilion exterior, Century 21 Exhibition, 1962

http://content.lib.washington.edu/seattle/image/639.jpg
Government of the Philippines Pavilion interior, Century 21 Exhibition, 1962

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813836&t=w
Colonel Funston's troops marching through Caloocan, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813877&t=w
Filipinos in action -- "Fire at will!" 1899

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813866&t=w
The Battle of Manila Bay : fighting a five-inch gun on board the Olympia. 1898
Yohn, F. C. (Frederick Coffay), 1875-1933 – Artist

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813807&t=w
The battle before Caloocan, February 10, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813838&t=w
Battle of Manila. 1898
Gaul, Gilbert William, 1855-1919 – Artist

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813836&t=w
Colonel Funston's troops marching through Caloocan, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813877&t=w
Filipinos in action -- "Fire at will!" 1899

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813866&t=w
The Battle of Manila Bay : fighting a five-inch gun on board the Olympia. 1898
Yohn, F. C. (Frederick Coffay), 1875-1933 – Artist

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813807&t=w
The battle before Caloocan, February 10, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813838&t=w
Battle of Manila. 1898
Gaul, Gilbert William, 1855-1919 – Artist

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813836&t=w
Colonel Funston's troops marching through Caloocan, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813877&t=w
Filipinos in action -- "Fire at will!" 1899

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813866&t=w
The Battle of Manila Bay : fighting a five-inch gun on board the Olympia. 1898
Yohn, F. C. (Frederick Coffay), 1875-1933 – Artist

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813807&t=w
The battle before Caloocan, February 10, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813838&t=w
Battle of Manila. 1898
Gaul, Gilbert William, 1855-1919 – Artist

Nice pictures of the city hall ,Last week when i have went to the City hall an employee told me that there will be some renovations in the Cityhall!

:weirdo: I hope They will not riun some more historic areas and rooms of the Cityhall with Atienza around!

Yup, let's hope not!

Nice pictures of the city hall ,Last week when i have went to the City hall an employee told me that there will be some renovations in the Cityhall!

:weirdo: I hope They will not riun some more historic areas and rooms of the Cityhall with Atienza around!

Yup, let's hope not!

Nice pictures of the city hall ,Last week when i have went to the City hall an employee told me that there will be some renovations in the Cityhall!

:weirdo: I hope They will not riun some more historic areas and rooms of the Cityhall with Atienza around!

Yup, let's hope not!

[QUOTE=Animo]http://images.nypl.org/?id=813836&t=w
Colonel Funston's troops marching through Caloocan, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813877&t=w
Filipinos in action -- "Fire at will!" 1899

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813866&t=w
The Battle of Manila Bay : fighting a five-inch gun on board the Olympia. 1898
Yohn, F. C. (Frederick Coffay), 1875-1933 – Artist

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813807&t=w
The battle before Caloocan, February 10, 1899.

I feel sorry for the soldiers who had to wear such heavy uniforms in the heat and humidity of the RP!

[QUOTE=Animo]http://images.nypl.org/?id=813836&t=w
Colonel Funston's troops marching through Caloocan, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813877&t=w
Filipinos in action -- "Fire at will!" 1899

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813866&t=w
The Battle of Manila Bay : fighting a five-inch gun on board the Olympia. 1898
Yohn, F. C. (Frederick Coffay), 1875-1933 – Artist

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813807&t=w
The battle before Caloocan, February 10, 1899.

I feel sorry for the soldiers who had to wear such heavy uniforms in the heat and humidity of the RP!

[QUOTE=Animo]http://images.nypl.org/?id=813836&t=w
Colonel Funston's troops marching through Caloocan, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813877&t=w
Filipinos in action -- "Fire at will!" 1899

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813866&t=w
The Battle of Manila Bay : fighting a five-inch gun on board the Olympia. 1898
Yohn, F. C. (Frederick Coffay), 1875-1933 – Artist

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813807&t=w
The battle before Caloocan, February 10, 1899.

I feel sorry for the soldiers who had to wear such heavy uniforms in the heat and humidity of the RP!

Posted this in Foro Filipino III:

http://images.nypl.org/?id=831254&t=w
Types of Spanish soldiers in the southern Philippines.

Posted this in Foro Filipino III:

http://images.nypl.org/?id=831254&t=w
Types of Spanish soldiers in the southern Philippines.

Posted this in Foro Filipino III:

http://images.nypl.org/?id=831254&t=w
Types of Spanish soldiers in the southern Philippines.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813810&t=w
Manila Bay, 1898.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813879&t=w
Filipino soldier. 1898

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813822&t=w
A field telegraph station. 1898

http://images.nypl.org/?id=814053&t=w
A company of Igorrote spearmen drilling in Caloocan. 1899

http://images.nypl.org/?id=437566&t=w
Aguinaldo and his Advisers, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813810&t=w
Manila Bay, 1898.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813879&t=w
Filipino soldier. 1898

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813822&t=w
A field telegraph station. 1898

http://images.nypl.org/?id=814053&t=w
A company of Igorrote spearmen drilling in Caloocan. 1899

http://images.nypl.org/?id=437566&t=w
Aguinaldo and his Advisers, 1899.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813810&t=w
Manila Bay, 1898.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813879&t=w
Filipino soldier. 1898

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813822&t=w
A field telegraph station. 1898

http://images.nypl.org/?id=814053&t=w
A company of Igorrote spearmen drilling in Caloocan. 1899

http://images.nypl.org/?id=437566&t=w
Aguinaldo and his Advisers, 1899.

http://138.23.124.164/images/kmast2/geographic/asia/philippineislands/details/g5245.jpg
Philippine War. Blockhouse captured by 10th Penna., Battle of Caloocan.

http://138.23.124.164/images/kmast2/geographic/asia/philippineislands/details/x4624.jpg
Philippine Islands. Insurgent Families Coming into the American Lines with Flag of Truce.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813857&t=w
Spanish-American War in Philippines.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813859&t=w
A skirmish [in] the Philippines.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813833&t=w
Manila--insurgent attack on the barracks of Co. C, 13th Minnesota Volunteers, during the Tondo Fire.

http://138.23.124.164/images/kmast2/geographic/asia/philippineislands/details/g5245.jpg
Philippine War. Blockhouse captured by 10th Penna., Battle of Caloocan.

http://138.23.124.164/images/kmast2/geographic/asia/philippineislands/details/x4624.jpg
Philippine Islands. Insurgent Families Coming into the American Lines with Flag of Truce.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813857&t=w
Spanish-American War in Philippines.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813859&t=w
A skirmish [in] the Philippines.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813833&t=w
Manila--insurgent attack on the barracks of Co. C, 13th Minnesota Volunteers, during the Tondo Fire.

http://138.23.124.164/images/kmast2/geographic/asia/philippineislands/details/g5245.jpg
Philippine War. Blockhouse captured by 10th Penna., Battle of Caloocan.

http://138.23.124.164/images/kmast2/geographic/asia/philippineislands/details/x4624.jpg
Philippine Islands. Insurgent Families Coming into the American Lines with Flag of Truce.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813857&t=w
Spanish-American War in Philippines.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813859&t=w
A skirmish [in] the Philippines.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=813833&t=w
Manila--insurgent attack on the barracks of Co. C, 13th Minnesota Volunteers, during the Tondo Fire.

Here's another look at the devastation from which we came...

Late 1944: US planes bomb the seaport of Japanese-held Manila. The City Hall tower really stuck out back then:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/aerilaattack1944.jpg

Japanese truck on fire outside Malacañan's ornate gate
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/burningtruckMalacanangate.jpg

An expression of relief from the oppressive Japanese occupation:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/postwarflag.jpg

Here's another look at the devastation from which we came...

Late 1944: US planes bomb the seaport of Japanese-held Manila. The City Hall tower really stuck out back then:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/aerilaattack1944.jpg

Japanese truck on fire outside Malacañan's ornate gate
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/burningtruckMalacanangate.jpg

An expression of relief from the oppressive Japanese occupation:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/postwarflag.jpg

Here's another look at the devastation from which we came...

Late 1944: US planes bomb the seaport of Japanese-held Manila. The City Hall tower really stuck out back then:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/aerilaattack1944.jpg

Japanese truck on fire outside Malacañan's ornate gate
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/burningtruckMalacanangate.jpg

An expression of relief from the oppressive Japanese occupation:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c211/hawayano/postwarflag.jpg

Wow, great finds @Animo and @Hawayano. I am especially strucked by the Igorrote spearmen being trained in Caloocan illustration.

Wow, great finds @Animo and @Hawayano. I am especially strucked by the Igorrote spearmen being trained in Caloocan illustration.

Wow, great finds @Animo and @Hawayano. I am especially strucked by the Igorrote spearmen being trained in Caloocan illustration.

http://www.***************/CorregidorResources/G-3_Ops_-_Manila/flame_3.jpg

Grabe naman to. Now I know why many old people who survived the war really hate tha Japanese even until now. A grandma who fled to the US after the war once told me that she was almost raped by Japanese soldiers.She said, even at dusk, it was like day due to the flames. When she hid in a church along with thousands, she was shocked how soldiers still dared to come in and massacre and even destroy the Virgin Mary and Jesus statues in the altar, she was very lucky to escape this.

Hey, I was born in 1958, only 13 years after the war. I have met and talked to a lot of survivors of the war, including my parents. I knew many who were maimed at hte hands of the Japanese, two of them left to die after a botched beheading attempt. One of them was just, at the time of the incident, a thirteen year old girl.

I read some anti'American sentiments on these threads, but in all my years of tlaking and sharing with all these indidviduals while I was growing up, none of them had anything but praise for the American soldierand filipino guerillas.

There was nothing the Americans could do. The Japs were deeply entrenched within the city limits and refused to leave. The Americans had no choice but to soften up the city before with artillery and bobmbing raids before sending in the infantry. Our guerillas working with the Amercans also benefited from this action, and also ran an underground warning system to warn the inhabitants of an impending operation. As much as the underground tried, the word would not get around fast enough for the whole population to be alerted to an allied bombardment. So if you were stuck in the city, well, ganoon talaga.


These are from the stories my parents and other elders passed down to us during our kuwentuhan times. My parents and their families had to run from bomb shelter to bomb shelter, sometimes not eating for days. My dad's family was able to evacuate to Montalban. My mom, whose family lived in the Ermita district before the war, fled to San Juan, but it wasn't much easier.

There was nothing to eat. If they found a dead horse, or carabao, they would see if it was still fresh enough to cook and eat. War is hell, as they say, hope the Philippines will never have to go through such devastatiobn again.

http://www.***************/CorregidorResources/G-3_Ops_-_Manila/flame_3.jpg

Grabe naman to. Now I know why many old people who survived the war really hate tha Japanese even until now. A grandma who fled to the US after the war once told me that she was almost raped by Japanese soldiers.She said, even at dusk, it was like day due to the flames. When she hid in a church along with thousands, she was shocked how soldiers still dared to come in and massacre and even destroy the Virgin Mary and Jesus statues in the altar, she was very lucky to escape this.

Hey, I was born in 1958, only 13 years after the war. I have met and talked to a lot of survivors of the war, including my parents. I knew many who were maimed at hte hands of the Japanese, two of them left to die after a botched beheading attempt. One of them was just, at the time of the incident, a thirteen year old girl.

I read some anti'American sentiments on these threads, but in all my years of tlaking and sharing with all these indidviduals while I was growing up, none of them had anything but praise for the American soldierand filipino guerillas.

There was nothing the Americans could do. The Japs were deeply entrenched within the city limits and refused to leave. The Americans had no choice but to soften up the city before with artillery and bobmbing raids before sending in the infantry. Our guerillas working with the Amercans also benefited from this action, and also ran an underground warning system to warn the inhabitants of an impending operation. As much as the underground tried, the word would not get around fast enough for the whole population to be alerted to an allied bombardment. So if you were stuck in the city, well, ganoon talaga.


These are from the stories my parents and other elders passed down to us during our kuwentuhan times. My parents and their families had to run from bomb shelter to bomb shelter, sometimes not eating for days. My dad's family was able to evacuate to Montalban. My mom, whose family lived in the Ermita district before the war, fled to San Juan, but it wasn't much easier.

There was nothing to eat. If they found a dead horse, or carabao, they would see if it was still fresh enough to cook and eat. War is hell, as they say, hope the Philippines will never have to go through such devastatiobn again.

http://www.***************/CorregidorResources/G-3_Ops_-_Manila/flame_3.jpg

Grabe naman to. Now I know why many old people who survived the war really hate tha Japanese even until now. A grandma who fled to the US after the war once told me that she was almost raped by Japanese soldiers.She said, even at dusk, it was like day due to the flames. When she hid in a church along with thousands, she was shocked how soldiers still dared to come in and massacre and even destroy the Virgin Mary and Jesus statues in the altar, she was very lucky to escape this.

Hey, I was born in 1958, only 13 years after the war. I have met and talked to a lot of survivors of the war, including my parents. I knew many who were maimed at hte hands of the Japanese, two of them left to die after a botched beheading attempt. One of them was just, at the time of the incident, a thirteen year old girl.

I read some anti'American sentiments on these threads, but in all my years of tlaking and sharing with all these indidviduals while I was growing up, none of them had anything but praise for the American soldierand filipino guerillas.

There was nothing the Americans could do. The Japs were deeply entrenched within the city limits and refused to leave. The Americans had no choice but to soften up the city before with artillery and bobmbing raids before sending in the infantry. Our guerillas working with the Amercans also benefited from this action, and also ran an underground warning system to warn the inhabitants of an impending operation. As much as the underground tried, the word would not get around fast enough for the whole population to be alerted to an allied bombardment. So if you were stuck in the city, well, ganoon talaga.


These are from the stories my parents and other elders passed down to us during our kuwentuhan times. My parents and their families had to run from bomb shelter to bomb shelter, sometimes not eating for days. My dad's family was able to evacuate to Montalban. My mom, whose family lived in the Ermita district before the war, fled to San Juan, but it wasn't much easier.

There was nothing to eat. If they found a dead horse, or carabao, they would see if it was still fresh enough to cook and eat. War is hell, as they say, hope the Philippines will never have to go through such devastatiobn again.

gyera historya ng pamilya ng papa ko hindi pa daw sya pinapanganak, pero yung tatay at nanay nya (lolo't lola ko) ay nanirahan sa gubat tapos tinatali yung katawan nila sa tuktuk ng sanga bawat gabi para lang makatulog, para hindi makita nang hapon at sa takot, para hindi patayin.

gyera historya ng pamilya ng papa ko hindi pa daw sya pinapanganak, pero yung tatay at nanay nya (lolo't lola ko) ay nanirahan sa gubat tapos tinatali yung katawan nila sa tuktuk ng sanga bawat gabi para lang makatulog, para hindi makita nang hapon at sa takot, para hindi patayin.

gyera historya ng pamilya ng papa ko hindi pa daw sya pinapanganak, pero yung tatay at nanay nya (lolo't lola ko) ay nanirahan sa gubat tapos tinatali yung katawan nila sa tuktuk ng sanga bawat gabi para lang makatulog, para hindi makita nang hapon at sa takot, para hindi patayin.

Wow--while we're on it, yes, my generation grew up listening to World War II stories from our parents and lolas and lolos. Some of the details are experiences that relatives of others in here share: dead civilians piled on the wharf at Iloilo; leaving the city to ride out the Japanese occupation in the hinterlands; and the countless atrocities during the Battle for Manila. My grand-aunt and her family huddled in the open fields of Singalong as US artillery whizzed overhead and landed in PGH, DLSU, and other parts of Taft Avenue. They were fortunate to have been spared the carnage that terrorized the hundred-thousand-plus caught in South Manila. My family was lucky to have moved back to Hawaii in the mid-1930s, so instead of three years of Japanese occupation, they endured the Pearl Harbor attack.
The Twentieth Century was truly destructive for the Philippines.

Wow--while we're on it, yes, my generation grew up listening to World War II stories from our parents and lolas and lolos. Some of the details are experiences that relatives of others in here share: dead civilians piled on the wharf at Iloilo; leaving the city to ride out the Japanese occupation in the hinterlands; and the countless atrocities during the Battle for Manila. My grand-aunt and her family huddled in the open fields of Singalong as US artillery whizzed overhead and landed in PGH, DLSU, and other parts of Taft Avenue. They were fortunate to have been spared the carnage that terrorized the hundred-thousand-plus caught in South Manila. My family was lucky to have moved back to Hawaii in the mid-1930s, so instead of three years of Japanese occupation, they endured the Pearl Harbor attack.
The Twentieth Century was truly destructive for the Philippines.

Wow--while we're on it, yes, my generation grew up listening to World War II stories from our parents and lolas and lolos. Some of the details are experiences that relatives of others in here share: dead civilians piled on the wharf at Iloilo; leaving the city to ride out the Japanese occupation in the hinterlands; and the countless atrocities during the Battle for Manila. My grand-aunt and her family huddled in the open fields of Singalong as US artillery whizzed overhead and landed in PGH, DLSU, and other parts of Taft Avenue. They were fortunate to have been spared the carnage that terrorized the hundred-thousand-plus caught in South Manila. My family was lucky to have moved back to Hawaii in the mid-1930s, so instead of three years of Japanese occupation, they endured the Pearl Harbor attack.
The Twentieth Century was truly destructive for the Philippines.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=437566&t=w
Aguinaldo and his Advisers, 1899.

"THE LOSERS"

oh, buhay pa si Gregorio del Pilar. These should be the kind of pics they're showing in our history textbooks, not Douglas MacArthur and the "American Benevolent Regime". Puta Gringos!

http://images.nypl.org/?id=437566&t=w
Aguinaldo and his Advisers, 1899.

"THE LOSERS"

oh, buhay pa si Gregorio del Pilar. These should be the kind of pics they're showing in our history textbooks, not Douglas MacArthur and the "American Benevolent Regime". Puta Gringos!

http://images.nypl.org/?id=437566&t=w
Aguinaldo and his Advisers, 1899.

"THE LOSERS"

oh, buhay pa si Gregorio del Pilar. These should be the kind of pics they're showing in our history textbooks, not Douglas MacArthur and the "American Benevolent Regime". Puta Gringos!

^^ Its true that the winners are the one who write history books.

^^ Its true that the winners are the one who write history books.

^^ Its true that the winners are the one who write history books.

^ and i thought we already won our nation back in July 4, 1946.

(or was it just November 1991 after the Pinatubo eruption? ;) )

or are they still here? VFA?

^ and i thought we already won our nation back in July 4, 1946.

(or was it just November 1991 after the Pinatubo eruption? ;) )

or are they still here? VFA?

^ and i thought we already won our nation back in July 4, 1946.

(or was it just November 1991 after the Pinatubo eruption? ;) )

or are they still here? VFA?

In my opinion, Philippines is becoming more independent in some certain aspects.

In my opinion, Philippines is becoming more independent in some certain aspects.

In my opinion, Philippines is becoming more independent in some certain aspects.

They are still meddling..kita nyo pati MIAA security pinakelaman nila at nagkaletse-letse ang pila...buti na lang kinansela din ang "new rules" na yun hehehe

They are still meddling..kita nyo pati MIAA security pinakelaman nila at nagkaletse-letse ang pila...buti na lang kinansela din ang "new rules" na yun hehehe

They are still meddling..kita nyo pati MIAA security pinakelaman nila at nagkaletse-letse ang pila...buti na lang kinansela din ang "new rules" na yun hehehe

"THE LOSERS"

oh, buhay pa si Gregorio del Pilar. These should be the kind of pics they're showing in our history textbooks, not Douglas MacArthur and the "American Benevolent Regime". Puta Gringos!

Is he the dude with the mustace on the very front? I can only recognize Emilio Aguinaldo. I really wonder why they don't put real photos in Philippine history books, instead of paintings or drawings.

"THE LOSERS"

oh, buhay pa si Gregorio del Pilar. These should be the kind of pics they're showing in our history textbooks, not Douglas MacArthur and the "American Benevolent Regime". Puta Gringos!

Is he the dude with the mustace on the very front? I can only recognize Emilio Aguinaldo. I really wonder why they don't put real photos in Philippine history books, instead of paintings or drawings.

"THE LOSERS"

oh, buhay pa si Gregorio del Pilar. These should be the kind of pics they're showing in our history textbooks, not Douglas MacArthur and the "American Benevolent Regime". Puta Gringos!

Is he the dude with the mustace on the very front? I can only recognize Emilio Aguinaldo. I really wonder why they don't put real photos in Philippine history books, instead of paintings or drawings.

Pre-War History

Manila was a beautiful city prior to the war, the pearl of the orient. MacArthur lived in the Manila Hotel's penthouse from 1935 - 1941 as he served as the Philippines military advisor.

Japanese Occupation

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-japanese-landing.jpg

Declared an open city by MacArthur on December 26, 1941 in hopes of saving it from bombing and destruction. American and Filipino forces moved out to Corregidor and Bataan. Despite this, Japanese bombers did hit the city, and on January 2, 1942 Manila fell to the General Masaharu Homma's Army. Civilians were detained at Santo Thomas University and Bilibid prison. The people of Manila suffered a long and brutal Japanese occupation.


The Battle For Manila

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/city/manila-burn-1945.jpg

After the American lands at Lingayen Gulf, by early February, the city of Manila became a battlefield from February 4 to March 3, 1945 in street-to-street fighting with fanatical Japanese resistance. Rear-Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi defended the city, with an estimated 20,000 troops, performed a scorched earth policy on the city, and committed atrocities against the civilian inhabitants. The battle for Manila was one of the only urban combats for American troops in the Pacific. General Robert Beitler, US Army 37th Division was given the assignment to capture Manila in house-to-house fighting. Although MacArthur banned air strikes against the city, Artillery was used to pound resistance. MacArthur (prematurely) declared the city liberated on February 6th, and returned to Manila on February 7 from the north. The battle for the city lasted for a month, ending with the fighting in the Spanish walled city of Intramuros, where fanatical Japanese defended until the end. After the battle an estimated 100,000 Filipinos had died in the city as well, likely one of the highest civilian casualties in urban combat of any WWII battle, second only to Stalingrad.

Pre-War History

Manila was a beautiful city prior to the war, the pearl of the orient. MacArthur lived in the Manila Hotel's penthouse from 1935 - 1941 as he served as the Philippines military advisor.

Japanese Occupation

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-japanese-landing.jpg

Declared an open city by MacArthur on December 26, 1941 in hopes of saving it from bombing and destruction. American and Filipino forces moved out to Corregidor and Bataan. Despite this, Japanese bombers did hit the city, and on January 2, 1942 Manila fell to the General Masaharu Homma's Army. Civilians were detained at Santo Thomas University and Bilibid prison. The people of Manila suffered a long and brutal Japanese occupation.


The Battle For Manila

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/city/manila-burn-1945.jpg

After the American lands at Lingayen Gulf, by early February, the city of Manila became a battlefield from February 4 to March 3, 1945 in street-to-street fighting with fanatical Japanese resistance. Rear-Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi defended the city, with an estimated 20,000 troops, performed a scorched earth policy on the city, and committed atrocities against the civilian inhabitants. The battle for Manila was one of the only urban combats for American troops in the Pacific. General Robert Beitler, US Army 37th Division was given the assignment to capture Manila in house-to-house fighting. Although MacArthur banned air strikes against the city, Artillery was used to pound resistance. MacArthur (prematurely) declared the city liberated on February 6th, and returned to Manila on February 7 from the north. The battle for the city lasted for a month, ending with the fighting in the Spanish walled city of Intramuros, where fanatical Japanese defended until the end. After the battle an estimated 100,000 Filipinos had died in the city as well, likely one of the highest civilian casualties in urban combat of any WWII battle, second only to Stalingrad.

Pre-War History

Manila was a beautiful city prior to the war, the pearl of the orient. MacArthur lived in the Manila Hotel's penthouse from 1935 - 1941 as he served as the Philippines military advisor.

Japanese Occupation

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-japanese-landing.jpg

Declared an open city by MacArthur on December 26, 1941 in hopes of saving it from bombing and destruction. American and Filipino forces moved out to Corregidor and Bataan. Despite this, Japanese bombers did hit the city, and on January 2, 1942 Manila fell to the General Masaharu Homma's Army. Civilians were detained at Santo Thomas University and Bilibid prison. The people of Manila suffered a long and brutal Japanese occupation.


The Battle For Manila

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/city/manila-burn-1945.jpg

After the American lands at Lingayen Gulf, by early February, the city of Manila became a battlefield from February 4 to March 3, 1945 in street-to-street fighting with fanatical Japanese resistance. Rear-Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi defended the city, with an estimated 20,000 troops, performed a scorched earth policy on the city, and committed atrocities against the civilian inhabitants. The battle for Manila was one of the only urban combats for American troops in the Pacific. General Robert Beitler, US Army 37th Division was given the assignment to capture Manila in house-to-house fighting. Although MacArthur banned air strikes against the city, Artillery was used to pound resistance. MacArthur (prematurely) declared the city liberated on February 6th, and returned to Manila on February 7 from the north. The battle for the city lasted for a month, ending with the fighting in the Spanish walled city of Intramuros, where fanatical Japanese defended until the end. After the battle an estimated 100,000 Filipinos had died in the city as well, likely one of the highest civilian casualties in urban combat of any WWII battle, second only to Stalingrad.

American Occupation of Manila

After the battle of Manila, the city was slowly rehabilited. Manila Harbor remained closed due to damage to harbor facilities until April 1945. Known as Base X in the US Army Letter Base designation, base located in Manila (exact location unknown). Thousands of American serviceman visited or were stationed in Manila in the last months of the war for R&R.

American Liberation

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-us-paratroops-land.jpg
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-flag-raising.jpg

After the American liberation of Luzon and most of Manila, followed by extensive aerial bombardment (3,128 tons), naval bombardment and mine clearing operations, Americans assaulted the island on February 15, 1945. The 11th Airborne Division's 503rd Paratroopers dropped on the Topside area of the island from C-47s.

An amphibious landing by the 34th Infantry Division between Cavalry Point and Infantry Point on the north coast, and another landing west of San Jose on the south, to take Malinta Hill. The Japanese fought from caves, and launched banzai charges and set off demolition charges, blowing up Malinta Hill on the 21st. The battle for the island lasted 12 days, and resulted in 225 KIA and MIAs, 645 WIA on the American side. Nearly all the Japanese defenders were killed, 4,500 in battle, 20 captured, 500 buried alive in caves, 200 killed trying to swim away.

On the 25th the 151st Infantry replaced the 34th. After the battle, General Douglas Macarthur awarded Colonel George M. Jones, the paratrooper commander a DSC and made the famous quote: "I see the old flagpole still stands. Have your troops hoist the colors to its peak, and let no enemy ever haul them down."

American Occupation of Manila

After the battle of Manila, the city was slowly rehabilited. Manila Harbor remained closed due to damage to harbor facilities until April 1945. Known as Base X in the US Army Letter Base designation, base located in Manila (exact location unknown). Thousands of American serviceman visited or were stationed in Manila in the last months of the war for R&R.

American Liberation

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-us-paratroops-land.jpg
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-flag-raising.jpg

After the American liberation of Luzon and most of Manila, followed by extensive aerial bombardment (3,128 tons), naval bombardment and mine clearing operations, Americans assaulted the island on February 15, 1945. The 11th Airborne Division's 503rd Paratroopers dropped on the Topside area of the island from C-47s.

An amphibious landing by the 34th Infantry Division between Cavalry Point and Infantry Point on the north coast, and another landing west of San Jose on the south, to take Malinta Hill. The Japanese fought from caves, and launched banzai charges and set off demolition charges, blowing up Malinta Hill on the 21st. The battle for the island lasted 12 days, and resulted in 225 KIA and MIAs, 645 WIA on the American side. Nearly all the Japanese defenders were killed, 4,500 in battle, 20 captured, 500 buried alive in caves, 200 killed trying to swim away.

On the 25th the 151st Infantry replaced the 34th. After the battle, General Douglas Macarthur awarded Colonel George M. Jones, the paratrooper commander a DSC and made the famous quote: "I see the old flagpole still stands. Have your troops hoist the colors to its peak, and let no enemy ever haul them down."

American Occupation of Manila

After the battle of Manila, the city was slowly rehabilited. Manila Harbor remained closed due to damage to harbor facilities until April 1945. Known as Base X in the US Army Letter Base designation, base located in Manila (exact location unknown). Thousands of American serviceman visited or were stationed in Manila in the last months of the war for R&R.

American Liberation

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-us-paratroops-land.jpg
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-flag-raising.jpg

After the American liberation of Luzon and most of Manila, followed by extensive aerial bombardment (3,128 tons), naval bombardment and mine clearing operations, Americans assaulted the island on February 15, 1945. The 11th Airborne Division's 503rd Paratroopers dropped on the Topside area of the island from C-47s.

An amphibious landing by the 34th Infantry Division between Cavalry Point and Infantry Point on the north coast, and another landing west of San Jose on the south, to take Malinta Hill. The Japanese fought from caves, and launched banzai charges and set off demolition charges, blowing up Malinta Hill on the 21st. The battle for the island lasted 12 days, and resulted in 225 KIA and MIAs, 645 WIA on the American side. Nearly all the Japanese defenders were killed, 4,500 in battle, 20 captured, 500 buried alive in caves, 200 killed trying to swim away.

On the 25th the 151st Infantry replaced the 34th. After the battle, General Douglas Macarthur awarded Colonel George M. Jones, the paratrooper commander a DSC and made the famous quote: "I see the old flagpole still stands. Have your troops hoist the colors to its peak, and let no enemy ever haul them down."

Wartime History

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/people/visitors/ording/philippines/gun_wwii.jpg

During the defense of Corregidor by the Americans, this gun was used to fire at Japanese forces on Battan, but only AP shells were available making it difficult to do damage. Prior to the fall of the island, the gun was disabled by the Americans. During the Japanese occupation, a famous photo of Japanese soldiers was taken. The Japanese repaired the gun, but the sabotage to its recoil springs mean that it could only be used in a limited capacity.

Mile Long Barracks

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-mile-barracks-japane.jpg

Nicknamed 'Mile Long Barracks' it was said to be the longest barracks in the world. Heaviy damaged during the capture and liberation of the island, the ruins are still standing today.

Malinta Tunnel

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-malinta-tunnel-inter.jpg

Located roughly in the center of the island, running down the middle, to the north of the south dock. This massive underground headquarters and supplies storage area for the Army HQ and USAFFE. Inside the hill is the Malinta Tunnel complex. In 1942 when the American defenders found that their ammunition, stored in the damp darkness of Malinta, was 30% defective.

Wartime History

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/people/visitors/ording/philippines/gun_wwii.jpg

During the defense of Corregidor by the Americans, this gun was used to fire at Japanese forces on Battan, but only AP shells were available making it difficult to do damage. Prior to the fall of the island, the gun was disabled by the Americans. During the Japanese occupation, a famous photo of Japanese soldiers was taken. The Japanese repaired the gun, but the sabotage to its recoil springs mean that it could only be used in a limited capacity.

Mile Long Barracks

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-mile-barracks-japane.jpg

Nicknamed 'Mile Long Barracks' it was said to be the longest barracks in the world. Heaviy damaged during the capture and liberation of the island, the ruins are still standing today.

Malinta Tunnel

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-malinta-tunnel-inter.jpg

Located roughly in the center of the island, running down the middle, to the north of the south dock. This massive underground headquarters and supplies storage area for the Army HQ and USAFFE. Inside the hill is the Malinta Tunnel complex. In 1942 when the American defenders found that their ammunition, stored in the damp darkness of Malinta, was 30% defective.

Wartime History

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/people/visitors/ording/philippines/gun_wwii.jpg

During the defense of Corregidor by the Americans, this gun was used to fire at Japanese forces on Battan, but only AP shells were available making it difficult to do damage. Prior to the fall of the island, the gun was disabled by the Americans. During the Japanese occupation, a famous photo of Japanese soldiers was taken. The Japanese repaired the gun, but the sabotage to its recoil springs mean that it could only be used in a limited capacity.

Mile Long Barracks

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-mile-barracks-japane.jpg

Nicknamed 'Mile Long Barracks' it was said to be the longest barracks in the world. Heaviy damaged during the capture and liberation of the island, the ruins are still standing today.

Malinta Tunnel

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/philippines/corregidor/correg-malinta-tunnel-inter.jpg

Located roughly in the center of the island, running down the middle, to the north of the south dock. This massive underground headquarters and supplies storage area for the Army HQ and USAFFE. Inside the hill is the Malinta Tunnel complex. In 1942 when the American defenders found that their ammunition, stored in the damp darkness of Malinta, was 30% defective.

Santo Thomas University (University of Santo Tomas)

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-prewar.jpg

Founded in 1611 as the College of the Holy Rosary originally built in Intramuros. It became a university in 1645 and the second university in the Philippines, and the oldest university in Asia, predated Harvard by 25 years. The university was relocated to the north of Manila afterwards and expanded into a larger campus. Also known as University of Santo Tomas.

POW Camp

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-pows.jpg

After the Japanese occupation of Manila, its main building was used to hold civilian POWs, and classrooms for sleeping quarters from January 4, 1942 - February 3, 1945. In total there were 3,787 prisoners: 3,792 Americans, 733 British, 200 Australians, 61 Canadians, 51 Dutch, 8 French, 1 Swiss, 2 Egyptians, 2, Spanish, 1 German, 1 Slovak. All were held for a total of 37 months, and 466 died in captivity. Three attempted escape February 15, 1942 and were shot, one successfully escaped in January 1945.

Today

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/stu-main-building.jpg

The university is still educates to this day. A plaque, dedicated in 1954 tells the history of the main building as an internment camp. Visitors can walk on the campus, but are not allowed inside the school buildings without remission.

Santo Thomas University (University of Santo Tomas)

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-prewar.jpg

Founded in 1611 as the College of the Holy Rosary originally built in Intramuros. It became a university in 1645 and the second university in the Philippines, and the oldest university in Asia, predated Harvard by 25 years. The university was relocated to the north of Manila afterwards and expanded into a larger campus. Also known as University of Santo Tomas.

POW Camp

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-pows.jpg

After the Japanese occupation of Manila, its main building was used to hold civilian POWs, and classrooms for sleeping quarters from January 4, 1942 - February 3, 1945. In total there were 3,787 prisoners: 3,792 Americans, 733 British, 200 Australians, 61 Canadians, 51 Dutch, 8 French, 1 Swiss, 2 Egyptians, 2, Spanish, 1 German, 1 Slovak. All were held for a total of 37 months, and 466 died in captivity. Three attempted escape February 15, 1942 and were shot, one successfully escaped in January 1945.

Today

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/stu-main-building.jpg

The university is still educates to this day. A plaque, dedicated in 1954 tells the history of the main building as an internment camp. Visitors can walk on the campus, but are not allowed inside the school buildings without remission.

Santo Thomas University (University of Santo Tomas)

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-prewar.jpg

Founded in 1611 as the College of the Holy Rosary originally built in Intramuros. It became a university in 1645 and the second university in the Philippines, and the oldest university in Asia, predated Harvard by 25 years. The university was relocated to the north of Manila afterwards and expanded into a larger campus. Also known as University of Santo Tomas.

POW Camp

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-pows.jpg

After the Japanese occupation of Manila, its main building was used to hold civilian POWs, and classrooms for sleeping quarters from January 4, 1942 - February 3, 1945. In total there were 3,787 prisoners: 3,792 Americans, 733 British, 200 Australians, 61 Canadians, 51 Dutch, 8 French, 1 Swiss, 2 Egyptians, 2, Spanish, 1 German, 1 Slovak. All were held for a total of 37 months, and 466 died in captivity. Three attempted escape February 15, 1942 and were shot, one successfully escaped in January 1945.

Today

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/stu-main-building.jpg

The university is still educates to this day. A plaque, dedicated in 1954 tells the history of the main building as an internment camp. Visitors can walk on the campus, but are not allowed inside the school buildings without remission.

http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02795r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02794r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02793r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02792r.jpg
Japanese prisoners of war being guarded by Americans--The Phillipines

http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02795r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02794r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02793r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02792r.jpg
Japanese prisoners of war being guarded by Americans--The Phillipines

http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02795r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02794r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02793r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e02000/8e02700/8e02792r.jpg
Japanese prisoners of war being guarded by Americans--The Phillipines

I have a hard time imagining whether I could be as magnanimous to the enemy, especially in light of the incredible nightmare of carnage that the Japanese had left in their wake. But the ability of those neo-classical buildings to withstand such a barrage of artillery fire is truly a testament to the steel-reinforced Cebu Portland cement that was used in their construction. I wonder how they would fare in modern warfare!

I have a hard time imagining whether I could be as magnanimous to the enemy, especially in light of the incredible nightmare of carnage that the Japanese had left in their wake. But the ability of those neo-classical buildings to withstand such a barrage of artillery fire is truly a testament to the steel-reinforced Cebu Portland cement that was used in their construction. I wonder how they would fare in modern warfare!

I have a hard time imagining whether I could be as magnanimous to the enemy, especially in light of the incredible nightmare of carnage that the Japanese had left in their wake. But the ability of those neo-classical buildings to withstand such a barrage of artillery fire is truly a testament to the steel-reinforced Cebu Portland cement that was used in their construction. I wonder how they would fare in modern warfare!

[QUOTE=Animo]Santo Thomas University (University of Santo Tomas)

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-prewar.jpg

Founded in 1611 as the College of the Holy Rosary originally built in Intramuros. It became a university in 1645 and the second university in the Philippines, and the oldest university in Asia, predated Harvard by 25 years. The university was relocated to the north of Manila afterwards and expanded into a larger campus. Also known as University of Santo Tomas.

POW Camp

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-pows.jpg


My grandfather died here. He kept a running diary until his death just as the first American tank rolled through the University gates. He passed away during the night from complications due to malnutrition.

[QUOTE=Animo]Santo Thomas University (University of Santo Tomas)

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-prewar.jpg

Founded in 1611 as the College of the Holy Rosary originally built in Intramuros. It became a university in 1645 and the second university in the Philippines, and the oldest university in Asia, predated Harvard by 25 years. The university was relocated to the north of Manila afterwards and expanded into a larger campus. Also known as University of Santo Tomas.

POW Camp

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-pows.jpg


My grandfather died here. He kept a running diary until his death just as the first American tank rolled through the University gates. He passed away during the night from complications due to malnutrition.

[QUOTE=Animo]Santo Thomas University (University of Santo Tomas)

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-prewar.jpg

Founded in 1611 as the College of the Holy Rosary originally built in Intramuros. It became a university in 1645 and the second university in the Philippines, and the oldest university in Asia, predated Harvard by 25 years. The university was relocated to the north of Manila afterwards and expanded into a larger campus. Also known as University of Santo Tomas.

POW Camp

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/battlefields/philippines/manila/stu/santo-tomas-pows.jpg


My grandfather died here. He kept a running diary until his death just as the first American tank rolled through the University gates. He passed away during the night from complications due to malnutrition.

http://mdhsimage.mdhs.org/Library/Images/Mellon%20Images/Z24access/z24-01632.jpg
UP Liberal Arts Building (Manila)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/suxinct/interned.jpg
Civilians Interned at the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas

Women wash their hair over an old bathtub at Santo Tomas. The campus was converted into an internment camp for Allied civilians captured by the Japanese when they occupied the Philippines.

http://joserizal.info/images/rizal_man_martyr/chp03/santo_tomas(01).jpg
A picture of Santo Tomas shortly after after its liberation from the Japanese Imperial forces.

http://www.avyberman.com/images/1-4.jpg
http://www.austincivilwar.org/warstories/gillooly2.jpg
University of Santo Tomas WWII era.

http://mdhsimage.mdhs.org/Library/Images/Mellon%20Images/Z24access/z24-01632.jpg
UP Liberal Arts Building (Manila)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/suxinct/interned.jpg
Civilians Interned at the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas

Women wash their hair over an old bathtub at Santo Tomas. The campus was converted into an internment camp for Allied civilians captured by the Japanese when they occupied the Philippines.

http://joserizal.info/images/rizal_man_martyr/chp03/santo_tomas(01).jpg
A picture of Santo Tomas shortly after after its liberation from the Japanese Imperial forces.

http://www.avyberman.com/images/1-4.jpg
http://www.austincivilwar.org/warstories/gillooly2.jpg
University of Santo Tomas WWII era.

http://mdhsimage.mdhs.org/Library/Images/Mellon%20Images/Z24access/z24-01632.jpg
UP Liberal Arts Building (Manila)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/suxinct/interned.jpg
Civilians Interned at the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas

Women wash their hair over an old bathtub at Santo Tomas. The campus was converted into an internment camp for Allied civilians captured by the Japanese when they occupied the Philippines.

http://joserizal.info/images/rizal_man_martyr/chp03/santo_tomas(01).jpg
A picture of Santo Tomas shortly after after its liberation from the Japanese Imperial forces.

http://www.avyberman.com/images/1-4.jpg
http://www.austincivilwar.org/warstories/gillooly2.jpg
University of Santo Tomas WWII era.

http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwii/actvssurgconvol2/chapter13figure343.jpg

http://www.edrington.com/images/Santo_Thomas_Gen._MacArthur_small.JPG
McArthur visits the internees at the UST campus.

http://www.edrington.com/images/Santo_Thomas_-_map_1_small.jpg
Handwritten map of the UST internment camp.

source: www.edrington.com

http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwii/actvssurgconvol2/chapter13figure343.jpg

http://www.edrington.com/images/Santo_Thomas_Gen._MacArthur_small.JPG
McArthur visits the internees at the UST campus.

http://www.edrington.com/images/Santo_Thomas_-_map_1_small.jpg
Handwritten map of the UST internment camp.

source: www.edrington.com

http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwii/actvssurgconvol2/chapter13figure343.jpg

http://www.edrington.com/images/Santo_Thomas_Gen._MacArthur_small.JPG
McArthur visits the internees at the UST campus.

http://www.edrington.com/images/Santo_Thomas_-_map_1_small.jpg
Handwritten map of the UST internment camp.

source: www.edrington.com

“Rape” is a strong word. It implies a brutal physical assault resulting in the physical, moral and psychological violation of the victim. But “rape” is not strong enough to describe what happened in Manila, the piecemeal savage assault that lasted more than two months. The perpetrators were the soldiers of a nation that apparently had not yet emerged from the stage of savagery.

The book under review (said to be the result of several years of interviews with survivors and of other forms of research) recounts the ordeal of Manila in five parts. Part One is the historical background: the Old Manila; the rise of Japanese imperialism; the invasion of Manchuria and China; the rape of Nanking; the careful preparation for the Japanese 9nvasion of the Philippines, including the entry of thousands of Japanese nationals; the Russo-Japanese neutrality pact; the American response; the attack on the American navy and the beginning of war.

The important sections of the book are Part Three (the war in the Philippines); Part Four (the end of war); and Part Five (Manila in ruins). The book is illustrated with numerous photographs of persons and buildings.

The title “Warsaw of Asia” is an allusion to General MacArthur’s comment when he saw Manila after the long battle. He called Manila “the most devastated city in the world, next to Warsaw.”

The remark (later repeated by Cardinal Spellman) was probably the most accurate summary of what had happened. There were other cities in the world that had been devastated, but their devastation was not a rape. Hiroshima was destroyed in a few minutes by one atomic explosion. It was destroyed “cleanly”—using that term in the sense of the American expression “to cut clean.” Coventry in England and Dresden in Germany were destroyed by one bombing raid from the air. Parts of London, Berlin and Tokyo were destroyed in several raids, each lasting no more than a few hours or even less. Manila, on the other hand, was destroyed piecemeal, building by building, street by street, district by district; a very large part of Manila’s inhabitants were killed, not by one atomic explosion or a few air raids, but individual by individual, group by group, by bayonet or bullet or by being imprisoned in sealed rooms for slow suffocation.

In that sense, Manila was the most devastated city, perhaps far more than even Warsaw.

Even before the actual battle of February and March 1945, the killings had already started. It was not the act of unruly subordinates. It was ordered from the top by the highest authority. The commander in chief, General Yamashita, declared that all male Filipinos, 14 years old and up, were “guerillas” and therefore must be killed. The systematic “sonings” of Manila, when a district would be sealed and all the males rounded up and bayoneted, corresponded to similar massacres perpetrated by the Japanese in the provinces, notably Batangas and Laguna.

But the most frightful killings were in February and March. Houses would be set on fire, and as the inhabitants rushed out, they would be gunned down or bayoneted.

At La Salle on Taft Avenue, the Brothers (who were Germans and therefore Japanese allies) and the many civilians who had taken refuge in the building were pursued from floor to floor. Many were killed in the chapel. It is said that the Japanese had sexual intercourse with some of the dying women. One woman who tried to protect her child had her fingers and other parts of her body slowly cut up.

At San Marcelino Street the “Paules” or Vincentian priests (who were Spaniards sympathetic to the Japanese cause and some of whom had preached from the church pulpit urging Filipinos to cooperate with the Japanese whom they considered liberators from American domination) were kept prisoners on the ground floor of their building, and finally were marched out to the edge of the nearby estero and killed. Their bodies floated on the dirty stagnant water for several days.

In Fort Santiago, hundreds were crowded into sealed rooms to die in slow suffocation.

If this had happened in Europe, it would be called genocide.

The Japanese have never admitted their atrocities in the Philippines, just as they have never admitted that there was a month-long rape of Nanking. In their textbooks the claim is made that Japanese troops always behaved correctly.

Not all the buildings were destroyed by the Japanese and not all the massacres were perpetrated by them. Much destruction and many deaths were caused by American bombings from the air and shelling by artillery. Some of the massacres by American planes had been deliberate. The following incident was recounted by a physician, Dr. Cesar Llaguno M.D. Sensing that Manila was going to become a battlefield, he decided to take his family out of Manila and evacuate to their hometown in the Bicol Penninsula. Thousands of others apparently had the same idea and the family had to sleep in the Tutuban train station for several days before they could get passage on a train, riding not inside the coach but on the roof. “The family reached Naga, Camarines Sur, and witnessed an incident in Naga City public market where American P38s mistook the Filipinos who were waving and cheering at them as Japanese and slaughtered hundreds of civilians.” (p. 100)

Some mass killings by Americans were apparently due to mistaken aim or misinformation. “But one fateful morning an American pilot may have committed an error. Bombs fell on Maypajo Public Market (near Tondo) and its surroundings. Hundreds of civilians perished while scores of others lost their limbs.” (p. 106)

It is estimated that over 100,000 persons died in Manila either from Japanese atrocities or from the American bombings.

The destruction of Manila and other Philippine cities and the loss of many lives might have been averted if the original American plan had been followed, namely after the capture of Guadacanal, the plan was to go straight to Okinawa as a prelude to the attack on Japan. It is said that MacArthur insisted on Philippine landings to fulfill his promise “I shall return.” Such egoism was understandable and many Filipinos accepted it with sympathy: but it exacted a terrible price from the Philippines and its people.

There are other facets of the war that are mentioned briefly in this book. For instance, “sex slaves.” Or the forms of transport. Some episodes are well narrated in detail, pieced together from the testimony of survivors. For instance, the taking of the Santo Tomas internment camp by the Third Cavalry unit on February 3, and the death of the Filipino hero who led them there, Manuel Colayco.

Some of those who have read this book have dismissed it with the remark that it is “not well written.” True, it is not a literary masterpiece. The day-to-day, hour-by-hour, place-by-place narration prevents a continuous narrative. But the well-documented information given here is valuable. As a record of the war from the testimony of survivors, this is a valuable book, and Giraffe Books deserves commendation for publishing it.

http://www.palhbooks.com/escoda.htm

“Rape” is a strong word. It implies a brutal physical assault resulting in the physical, moral and psychological violation of the victim. But “rape” is not strong enough to describe what happened in Manila, the piecemeal savage assault that lasted more than two months. The perpetrators were the soldiers of a nation that apparently had not yet emerged from the stage of savagery.

The book under review (said to be the result of several years of interviews with survivors and of other forms of research) recounts the ordeal of Manila in five parts. Part One is the historical background: the Old Manila; the rise of Japanese imperialism; the invasion of Manchuria and China; the rape of Nanking; the careful preparation for the Japanese 9nvasion of the Philippines, including the entry of thousands of Japanese nationals; the Russo-Japanese neutrality pact; the American response; the attack on the American navy and the beginning of war.

The important sections of the book are Part Three (the war in the Philippines); Part Four (the end of war); and Part Five (Manila in ruins). The book is illustrated with numerous photographs of persons and buildings.

The title “Warsaw of Asia” is an allusion to General MacArthur’s comment when he saw Manila after the long battle. He called Manila “the most devastated city in the world, next to Warsaw.”

The remark (later repeated by Cardinal Spellman) was probably the most accurate summary of what had happened. There were other cities in the world that had been devastated, but their devastation was not a rape. Hiroshima was destroyed in a few minutes by one atomic explosion. It was destroyed “cleanly”—using that term in the sense of the American expression “to cut clean.” Coventry in England and Dresden in Germany were destroyed by one bombing raid from the air. Parts of London, Berlin and Tokyo were destroyed in several raids, each lasting no more than a few hours or even less. Manila, on the other hand, was destroyed piecemeal, building by building, street by street, district by district; a very large part of Manila’s inhabitants were killed, not by one atomic explosion or a few air raids, but individual by individual, group by group, by bayonet or bullet or by being imprisoned in sealed rooms for slow suffocation.

In that sense, Manila was the most devastated city, perhaps far more than even Warsaw.

Even before the actual battle of February and March 1945, the killings had already started. It was not the act of unruly subordinates. It was ordered from the top by the highest authority. The commander in chief, General Yamashita, declared that all male Filipinos, 14 years old and up, were “guerillas” and therefore must be killed. The systematic “sonings” of Manila, when a district would be sealed and all the males rounded up and bayoneted, corresponded to similar massacres perpetrated by the Japanese in the provinces, notably Batangas and Laguna.

But the most frightful killings were in February and March. Houses would be set on fire, and as the inhabitants rushed out, they would be gunned down or bayoneted.

At La Salle on Taft Avenue, the Brothers (who were Germans and therefore Japanese allies) and the many civilians who had taken refuge in the building were pursued from floor to floor. Many were killed in the chapel. It is said that the Japanese had sexual intercourse with some of the dying women. One woman who tried to protect her child had her fingers and other parts of her body slowly cut up.

At San Marcelino Street the “Paules” or Vincentian priests (who were Spaniards sympathetic to the Japanese cause and some of whom had preached from the church pulpit urging Filipinos to cooperate with the Japanese whom they considered liberators from American domination) were kept prisoners on the ground floor of their building, and finally were marched out to the edge of the nearby estero and killed. Their bodies floated on the dirty stagnant water for several days.

In Fort Santiago, hundreds were crowded into sealed rooms to die in slow suffocation.

If this had happened in Europe, it would be called genocide.

The Japanese have never admitted their atrocities in the Philippines, just as they have never admitted that there was a month-long rape of Nanking. In their textbooks the claim is made that Japanese troops always behaved correctly.

Not all the buildings were destroyed by the Japanese and not all the massacres were perpetrated by them. Much destruction and many deaths were caused by American bombings from the air and shelling by artillery. Some of the massacres by American planes had been deliberate. The following incident was recounted by a physician, Dr. Cesar Llaguno M.D. Sensing that Manila was going to become a battlefield, he decided to take his family out of Manila and evacuate to their hometown in the Bicol Penninsula. Thousands of others apparently had the same idea and the family had to sleep in the Tutuban train station for several days before they could get passage on a train, riding not inside the coach but on the roof. “The family reached Naga, Camarines Sur, and witnessed an incident in Naga City public market where American P38s mistook the Filipinos who were waving and cheering at them as Japanese and slaughtered hundreds of civilians.” (p. 100)

Some mass killings by Americans were apparently due to mistaken aim or misinformation. “But one fateful morning an American pilot may have committed an error. Bombs fell on Maypajo Public Market (near Tondo) and its surroundings. Hundreds of civilians perished while scores of others lost their limbs.” (p. 106)

It is estimated that over 100,000 persons died in Manila either from Japanese atrocities or from the American bombings.

The destruction of Manila and other Philippine cities and the loss of many lives might have been averted if the original American plan had been followed, namely after the capture of Guadacanal, the plan was to go straight to Okinawa as a prelude to the attack on Japan. It is said that MacArthur insisted on Philippine landings to fulfill his promise “I shall return.” Such egoism was understandable and many Filipinos accepted it with sympathy: but it exacted a terrible price from the Philippines and its people.

There are other facets of the war that are mentioned briefly in this book. For instance, “sex slaves.” Or the forms of transport. Some episodes are well narrated in detail, pieced together from the testimony of survivors. For instance, the taking of the Santo Tomas internment camp by the Third Cavalry unit on February 3, and the death of the Filipino hero who led them there, Manuel Colayco.

Some of those who have read this book have dismissed it with the remark that it is “not well written.” True, it is not a literary masterpiece. The day-to-day, hour-by-hour, place-by-place narration prevents a continuous narrative. But the well-documented information given here is valuable. As a record of the war from the testimony of survivors, this is a valuable book, and Giraffe Books deserves commendation for publishing it.

http://www.palhbooks.com/escoda.htm

“Rape” is a strong word. It implies a brutal physical assault resulting in the physical, moral and psychological violation of the victim. But “rape” is not strong enough to describe what happened in Manila, the piecemeal savage assault that lasted more than two months. The perpetrators were the soldiers of a nation that apparently had not yet emerged from the stage of savagery.

The book under review (said to be the result of several years of interviews with survivors and of other forms of research) recounts the ordeal of Manila in five parts. Part One is the historical background: the Old Manila; the rise of Japanese imperialism; the invasion of Manchuria and China; the rape of Nanking; the careful preparation for the Japanese 9nvasion of the Philippines, including the entry of thousands of Japanese nationals; the Russo-Japanese neutrality pact; the American response; the attack on the American navy and the beginning of war.

The important sections of the book are Part Three (the war in the Philippines); Part Four (the end of war); and Part Five (Manila in ruins). The book is illustrated with numerous photographs of persons and buildings.

The title “Warsaw of Asia” is an allusion to General MacArthur’s comment when he saw Manila after the long battle. He called Manila “the most devastated city in the world, next to Warsaw.”

The remark (later repeated by Cardinal Spellman) was probably the most accurate summary of what had happened. There were other cities in the world that had been devastated, but their devastation was not a rape. Hiroshima was destroyed in a few minutes by one atomic explosion. It was destroyed “cleanly”—using that term in the sense of the American expression “to cut clean.” Coventry in England and Dresden in Germany were destroyed by one bombing raid from the air. Parts of London, Berlin and Tokyo were destroyed in several raids, each lasting no more than a few hours or even less. Manila, on the other hand, was destroyed piecemeal, building by building, street by street, district by district; a very large part of Manila’s inhabitants were killed, not by one atomic explosion or a few air raids, but individual by individual, group by group, by bayonet or bullet or by being imprisoned in sealed rooms for slow suffocation.

In that sense, Manila was the most devastated city, perhaps far more than even Warsaw.

Even before the actual battle of February and March 1945, the killings had already started. It was not the act of unruly subordinates. It was ordered from the top by the highest authority. The commander in chief, General Yamashita, declared that all male Filipinos, 14 years old and up, were “guerillas” and therefore must be killed. The systematic “sonings” of Manila, when a district would be sealed and all the males rounded up and bayoneted, corresponded to similar massacres perpetrated by the Japanese in the provinces, notably Batangas and Laguna.

But the most frightful killings were in February and March. Houses would be set on fire, and as the inhabitants rushed out, they would be gunned down or bayoneted.

At La Salle on Taft Avenue, the Brothers (who were Germans and therefore Japanese allies) and the many civilians who had taken refuge in the building were pursued from floor to floor. Many were killed in the chapel. It is said that the Japanese had sexual intercourse with some of the dying women. One woman who tried to protect her child had her fingers and other parts of her body slowly cut up.

At San Marcelino Street the “Paules” or Vincentian priests (who were Spaniards sympathetic to the Japanese cause and some of whom had preached from the church pulpit urging Filipinos to cooperate with the Japanese whom they considered liberators from American domination) were kept prisoners on the ground floor of their building, and finally were marched out to the edge of the nearby estero and killed. Their bodies floated on the dirty stagnant water for several days.

In Fort Santiago, hundreds were crowded into sealed rooms to die in slow suffocation.

If this had happened in Europe, it would be called genocide.

The Japanese have never admitted their atrocities in the Philippines, just as they have never admitted that there was a month-long rape of Nanking. In their textbooks the claim is made that Japanese troops always behaved correctly.

Not all the buildings were destroyed by the Japanese and not all the massacres were perpetrated by them. Much destruction and many deaths were caused by American bombings from the air and shelling by artillery. Some of the massacres by American planes had been deliberate. The following incident was recounted by a physician, Dr. Cesar Llaguno M.D. Sensing that Manila was going to become a battlefield, he decided to take his family out of Manila and evacuate to their hometown in the Bicol Penninsula. Thousands of others apparently had the same idea and the family had to sleep in the Tutuban train station for several days before they could get passage on a train, riding not inside the coach but on the roof. “The family reached Naga, Camarines Sur, and witnessed an incident in Naga City public market where American P38s mistook the Filipinos who were waving and cheering at them as Japanese and slaughtered hundreds of civilians.” (p. 100)

Some mass killings by Americans were apparently due to mistaken aim or misinformation. “But one fateful morning an American pilot may have committed an error. Bombs fell on Maypajo Public Market (near Tondo) and its surroundings. Hundreds of civilians perished while scores of others lost their limbs.” (p. 106)

It is estimated that over 100,000 persons died in Manila either from Japanese atrocities or from the American bombings.

The destruction of Manila and other Philippine cities and the loss of many lives might have been averted if the original American plan had been followed, namely after the capture of Guadacanal, the plan was to go straight to Okinawa as a prelude to the attack on Japan. It is said that MacArthur insisted on Philippine landings to fulfill his promise “I shall return.” Such egoism was understandable and many Filipinos accepted it with sympathy: but it exacted a terrible price from the Philippines and its people.

There are other facets of the war that are mentioned briefly in this book. For instance, “sex slaves.” Or the forms of transport. Some episodes are well narrated in detail, pieced together from the testimony of survivors. For instance, the taking of the Santo Tomas internment camp by the Third Cavalry unit on February 3, and the death of the Filipino hero who led them there, Manuel Colayco.

Some of those who have read this book have dismissed it with the remark that it is “not well written.” True, it is not a literary masterpiece. The day-to-day, hour-by-hour, place-by-place narration prevents a continuous narrative. But the well-documented information given here is valuable. As a record of the war from the testimony of survivors, this is a valuable book, and Giraffe Books deserves commendation for publishing it.

http://www.palhbooks.com/escoda.htm

That is a gripping piece @Animo. How the Philippines had suffered under those warring countries. Many innocents have died for naught.

That is a gripping piece @Animo. How the Philippines had suffered under those warring countries. Many innocents have died for naught.

That is a gripping piece @Animo. How the Philippines had suffered under those warring countries. Many innocents have died for naught.

Some pictures of the Ateneo in Intramuros:

http://www.ateneo.edu/files/537/1909---college-side-view.gif

This picture of the Ateneo de Manila was taken after a renovation project undertaken in 1909 for the Ateneo's golden jubilee. Most of the facade was done in fine wood, which explains why the school burned easily during the 1932 fire.

http://www.ateneo.edu/files/537/1909---altar-san-ignacio.gif

The altar is said to have survived the destruction of the San Ignacio, but is meeting. Rumors have it that the retablo and altar are in the possession of an elite family from Metro Manila.

The Ateneo de Manila in Padre Faura

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20bldg%20prewar.jpg

The main building, before the war.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20parade%20grounds.jpg

The parade grounds.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20obs%20prewar%20for%20pg.jpg

The Manila Observatory, before the war. The observatory was (and still is) a key science facility in the country, helping observe the skies and weather.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20auditorium%20prewar%20for%20pg.jpg

The Auditorium, before the war. This facility was said to be an actor's dream, being one of the most advanced theatrical facilities in the country during its time.

Some pictures of the Ateneo in Intramuros:

http://www.ateneo.edu/files/537/1909---college-side-view.gif

This picture of the Ateneo de Manila was taken after a renovation project undertaken in 1909 for the Ateneo's golden jubilee. Most of the facade was done in fine wood, which explains why the school burned easily during the 1932 fire.

http://www.ateneo.edu/files/537/1909---altar-san-ignacio.gif

The altar is said to have survived the destruction of the San Ignacio, but is meeting. Rumors have it that the retablo and altar are in the possession of an elite family from Metro Manila.

The Ateneo de Manila in Padre Faura

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20bldg%20prewar.jpg

The main building, before the war.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20parade%20grounds.jpg

The parade grounds.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20obs%20prewar%20for%20pg.jpg

The Manila Observatory, before the war. The observatory was (and still is) a key science facility in the country, helping observe the skies and weather.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20auditorium%20prewar%20for%20pg.jpg

The Auditorium, before the war. This facility was said to be an actor's dream, being one of the most advanced theatrical facilities in the country during its time.

Some pictures of the Ateneo in Intramuros:

http://www.ateneo.edu/files/537/1909---college-side-view.gif

This picture of the Ateneo de Manila was taken after a renovation project undertaken in 1909 for the Ateneo's golden jubilee. Most of the facade was done in fine wood, which explains why the school burned easily during the 1932 fire.

http://www.ateneo.edu/files/537/1909---altar-san-ignacio.gif

The altar is said to have survived the destruction of the San Ignacio, but is meeting. Rumors have it that the retablo and altar are in the possession of an elite family from Metro Manila.

The Ateneo de Manila in Padre Faura

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20bldg%20prewar.jpg

The main building, before the war.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20parade%20grounds.jpg

The parade grounds.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20obs%20prewar%20for%20pg.jpg

The Manila Observatory, before the war. The observatory was (and still is) a key science facility in the country, helping observe the skies and weather.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20auditorium%20prewar%20for%20pg.jpg

The Auditorium, before the war. This facility was said to be an actor's dream, being one of the most advanced theatrical facilities in the country during its time.

The war would change all that.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20obs%20ruins2%20for%20pg.jpg

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20auditorium%20ruins%20for%20pg.jpg

The rebuilding effort saw the main buildings of the Ateneo de Manila in Padre Faura shelled and destroyed. The former site of a seminary, the campus was spacious and was designed for quiet, contemplative reflection, and was beefed up to accomodate a larger body of students when the Ateneo transferred from Intramuros to Padre Faura.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20quonsets%20closeup.jpg

The once proud buildings gave way to Quonset huts and shacks, and in the meantime, the Ateneo started to rebuild and would soon begin the bold move of transferring to Loyola Heights.

The war would change all that.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20obs%20ruins2%20for%20pg.jpg

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20auditorium%20ruins%20for%20pg.jpg

The rebuilding effort saw the main buildings of the Ateneo de Manila in Padre Faura shelled and destroyed. The former site of a seminary, the campus was spacious and was designed for quiet, contemplative reflection, and was beefed up to accomodate a larger body of students when the Ateneo transferred from Intramuros to Padre Faura.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20quonsets%20closeup.jpg

The once proud buildings gave way to Quonset huts and shacks, and in the meantime, the Ateneo started to rebuild and would soon begin the bold move of transferring to Loyola Heights.

The war would change all that.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20obs%20ruins2%20for%20pg.jpg

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20auditorium%20ruins%20for%20pg.jpg

The rebuilding effort saw the main buildings of the Ateneo de Manila in Padre Faura shelled and destroyed. The former site of a seminary, the campus was spacious and was designed for quiet, contemplative reflection, and was beefed up to accomodate a larger body of students when the Ateneo transferred from Intramuros to Padre Faura.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20quonsets%20closeup.jpg

The once proud buildings gave way to Quonset huts and shacks, and in the meantime, the Ateneo started to rebuild and would soon begin the bold move of transferring to Loyola Heights.

The war would change all that.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20obs%20ruins2%20for%20pg.jpg

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20auditorium%20ruins%20for%20pg.jpg

The once proud buildings gave way to Quonset huts and shacks, and in the meantime, the Ateneo started to rebuild and would soon begin the bold move of transferring to Loyola Heights.

Don Animo-- thanks for the informative pics and captions of the venerable Ateneo. The Padre Faura campus auditorium and observatory really should have been rehabilitated instead of demolished. Had the war not intervened and the campus remained unscathed, I wonder if ADMU would've remained in Ermita on that small parcel to this day. The Loyola campus is so-o-o-o spacious in contrast, yet it lacks the tangible historic buildings. Ah well...

Also, the rumor that an elite Manila family has possession of the San Ignacio fixtures does not surprise me---some of our peoples' most spectacular artworks remain unpublicized for that very reason. If only one day they'll resurface for all to appreciate and study!

The war would change all that.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20obs%20ruins2%20for%20pg.jpg

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20auditorium%20ruins%20for%20pg.jpg

The once proud buildings gave way to Quonset huts and shacks, and in the meantime, the Ateneo started to rebuild and would soon begin the bold move of transferring to Loyola Heights.

Don Animo-- thanks for the informative pics and captions of the venerable Ateneo. The Padre Faura campus auditorium and observatory really should have been rehabilitated instead of demolished. Had the war not intervened and the campus remained unscathed, I wonder if ADMU would've remained in Ermita on that small parcel to this day. The Loyola campus is so-o-o-o spacious in contrast, yet it lacks the tangible historic buildings. Ah well...

Also, the rumor that an elite Manila family has possession of the San Ignacio fixtures does not surprise me---some of our peoples' most spectacular artworks remain unpublicized for that very reason. If only one day they'll resurface for all to appreciate and study!

The war would change all that.

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20obs%20ruins2%20for%20pg.jpg

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/admu5054/faura%20auditorium%20ruins%20for%20pg.jpg

The once proud buildings gave way to Quonset huts and shacks, and in the meantime, the Ateneo started to rebuild and would soon begin the bold move of transferring to Loyola Heights.

Don Animo-- thanks for the informative pics and captions of the venerable Ateneo. The Padre Faura campus auditorium and observatory really should have been rehabilitated instead of demolished. Had the war not intervened and the campus remained unscathed, I wonder if ADMU would've remained in Ermita on that small parcel to this day. The Loyola campus is so-o-o-o spacious in contrast, yet it lacks the tangible historic buildings. Ah well...

Also, the rumor that an elite Manila family has possession of the San Ignacio fixtures does not surprise me---some of our peoples' most spectacular artworks remain unpublicized for that very reason. If only one day they'll resurface for all to appreciate and study!

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/ser_ann/2004/dec/announce_1-2.jpg
PHOTO of Rumingan as an 18-year-old guerrilla. ERIC LACHICA

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/ser_ann/2004/dec/announce_1-1.jpg
FIL-AM World War II veteran Guillermo Rumingan. ERIC LACHICA

WASHINGTON, DC--The Smithsonian National Museum of American History recently exhibited the photograph and statement of Guillermo Rumingan, 79, a disabled Philippine Scout from Arlington, Virginia.

Rumingan's photo was taken when he was a 18-year-old guerrilla in World War II. It was displayed underneath the famous 1944 photograph of General Douglas MacArthur's landing in Leyte in the brand new "The Price of Freedom: America at War" exhibit.

Unveiled on Nov. 11, the $20-million permanent exhibition includes photos, videos and extensive memorabilia from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish-American, WWII, the Cold War, Vietnam and recent conflicts.

On Dec. 7, the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, "Emong" Rumingan, his wife and grandchildren, as well as members of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV), were given a private tour by David Allison, museum project director.

At the end of the tour, Rumingan read aloud his remarks of appreciation for the Smithsonian Museum. He recalled the sacrifices and bravery of the loyal Filipino people during WWII.

Among the 800 fascinating artifacts are photos and commentary about the Philippine-American War of 1898-1902, General Emilio Aguinaldo, the Katipunan revolutionaries and their independence movement.

The museum exhibition is on the third floor, West Wing of the National Museum on 14th Street and Constitution Avenue.

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/ser_ann/2004/dec/10-01

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/ser_ann/2004/dec/announce_1-2.jpg
PHOTO of Rumingan as an 18-year-old guerrilla. ERIC LACHICA

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/ser_ann/2004/dec/announce_1-1.jpg
FIL-AM World War II veteran Guillermo Rumingan. ERIC LACHICA

WASHINGTON, DC--The Smithsonian National Museum of American History recently exhibited the photograph and statement of Guillermo Rumingan, 79, a disabled Philippine Scout from Arlington, Virginia.

Rumingan's photo was taken when he was a 18-year-old guerrilla in World War II. It was displayed underneath the famous 1944 photograph of General Douglas MacArthur's landing in Leyte in the brand new "The Price of Freedom: America at War" exhibit.

Unveiled on Nov. 11, the $20-million permanent exhibition includes photos, videos and extensive memorabilia from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish-American, WWII, the Cold War, Vietnam and recent conflicts.

On Dec. 7, the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, "Emong" Rumingan, his wife and grandchildren, as well as members of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV), were given a private tour by David Allison, museum project director.

At the end of the tour, Rumingan read aloud his remarks of appreciation for the Smithsonian Museum. He recalled the sacrifices and bravery of the loyal Filipino people during WWII.

Among the 800 fascinating artifacts are photos and commentary about the Philippine-American War of 1898-1902, General Emilio Aguinaldo, the Katipunan revolutionaries and their independence movement.

The museum exhibition is on the third floor, West Wing of the National Museum on 14th Street and Constitution Avenue.

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/ser_ann/2004/dec/10-01

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/ser_ann/2004/dec/announce_1-2.jpg
PHOTO of Rumingan as an 18-year-old guerrilla. ERIC LACHICA

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/ser_ann/2004/dec/announce_1-1.jpg
FIL-AM World War II veteran Guillermo Rumingan. ERIC LACHICA

WASHINGTON, DC--The Smithsonian National Museum of American History recently exhibited the photograph and statement of Guillermo Rumingan, 79, a disabled Philippine Scout from Arlington, Virginia.

Rumingan's photo was taken when he was a 18-year-old guerrilla in World War II. It was displayed underneath the famous 1944 photograph of General Douglas MacArthur's landing in Leyte in the brand new "The Price of Freedom: America at War" exhibit.

Unveiled on Nov. 11, the $20-million permanent exhibition includes photos, videos and extensive memorabilia from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish-American, WWII, the Cold War, Vietnam and recent conflicts.

On Dec. 7, the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, "Emong" Rumingan, his wife and grandchildren, as well as members of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV), were given a private tour by David Allison, museum project director.

At the end of the tour, Rumingan read aloud his remarks of appreciation for the Smithsonian Museum. He recalled the sacrifices and bravery of the loyal Filipino people during WWII.

Among the 800 fascinating artifacts are photos and commentary about the Philippine-American War of 1898-1902, General Emilio Aguinaldo, the Katipunan revolutionaries and their independence movement.

The museum exhibition is on the third floor, West Wing of the National Museum on 14th Street and Constitution Avenue.

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/ser_ann/2004/dec/10-01

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_fea/2004/jan/features_1-1.jpg
PANDACAN oil depot in Manila goes up in flames after the Japanese bombing in 1941.

"COLUMNS of black, oily smoke rose thousands of feet into the sky, blocking out the morning sun and creating an apocalyptic backdrop for the last hours of American Manila." Historians Richard Connaughton, John Pimlott and Duncan Anderson, in their book "The Battle for Manila" (1995), conveyed in words how American engineers blew up the oil storage depots in Pandacan as the Japanese started its invasion of the Philippines during the World War II.

The scene was also captured in a photograph at the Geronimo Berenguer de los Reyes Jr. (GBR) Foundation Museum in General Trias, Cavite.

This and about 170 more photos showing the outbreak of the World War II in the Philippines, the three-year Japanese Occupation and the Allied Liberation in 1944-45 are perhaps the most touching and awe-inspiring in the GBR collection.

The pictures are part of a big collection that depicts natural and historical scenes from the 18th-century Spanish colonial times to the Fifth Republic. Tycoon De los Reyes placed the collection in a museum at his Gateway Business Park, an industrial zone at the heart of General Trias town.

Horror of war

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_fea/2004/jan/features_1-2.jpg
SCREAMING HEADLINE. Worst fear comes true.

Depicted are an assortment of scenes -- destroyed landmarks, corpses of civilians killed in air raids and atrocities, mass evacuation, victorious Japanese troops, defeated Usaffe soldiers, guerrillas, wartime political events and even actual battles on land, sea and air.

Included in the collection are framed front pages of local and foreign newspapers then documenting events from the outbreak of the war to the Fall of the Japanese-occupied Philippines.

Jaime Hidalgo, Gateway's chief executive officer who sometimes act as unofficial museum tour guide, said his friend De los Reyes was only 9 years old when war broke out. De los Reyes then lived with his family on General Luna Street near the Supreme Court building in Manila's Ermita district.

The family moved to the highlands of Binangonan, Rizal, and remained there until Liberation. The young De los Reyes, Hidalgo recalled, was enchanted by dogfights between Japanese and American planes that he could see from the Binangonan Church belfry. He developed an interest in planes so had an entire pavilion at the Museum devoted to wartime and commercial aviation history.

Buying an inheritance

In the early 1990s, in a studio in San Francisco, California whose owner had just died, De los Reyes saw old photos of the Philippines. He decided to buy them from the owner's heir.

De los Reyes' photo collection also received contributions from the MacArthur Foundation, Roxas Foundation, Carlos P. Romulo Foundation and the Victor Puyat Collection, most of which were taken by photojournalist Honesto Vitug.

De los Reyes bought small-scale models of World War II planes that he watched as a boy that became part of his growing collection.

The businessman also commissioned large paintings of the Leyte Landing and the Battle of Leyte Gulf from Stan Stokes, who worked for the Smithsonian Institute.

The 1.6-hectare GBR Museum was opened in 1995. Four of the pavilions contain the photos exhibits while the fifth houses the model planes.

The Philippines, an American Commonwealth waiting for independence promised in 1946, got embroiled in World War II on December 8, about four hours after the Japanese's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

By December 23, the Japanese were driving American and Filipino forces southward.

Tactical retreat

Usaffe commander in chief General Douglas MacArthur put his so-called War Plan Orange 3 into effect. The plan called for the tactical withdrawal of all defending forces in Luzon to concentrate on the Bataan peninsula, where they were to wait for aid from the US.

December 25, 1941, Christmas Day, was perhaps one of the bleakest in Philippine history. There was no dawn Mass, no singing of carols and no exchanging of gifts.

On December 26, MacArthur declared Manila and its suburbs "open city."

Despite the declaration, the bombing of Manila continued.

On December 29, President Franklin Roosevelt sent a message to the Filipino people praising their gallant resistance against the Japanese invaders and promising liberation.

Quezon and his vice president, Sergio Osmeña, started their new terms of office inside a tunnel in Corregidor on the same day.

Fall of Bataan, Corregidor

Quezon left Corregidor on February 20 the following year and would reach the US on May 8. MacArthur left the island on March 11. Bataan surrendered on April 9, followed by Corregidor on May 6.

Carlos P. Romulo, then a colonel attached to the rear-echelon headquarters, recalled in his book "I Saw Philippines Fall" (1943), Manila's deserted boulevards, night clubs and hotels that looked like funeral parlors. On Manila Bay, sunken ships were sticking out like tombstones.

He saw looters roaming the streets, the ill-armed police abandoning all attempts to maintain peace and order. In the southeast, the Pandacan depots still spewed spectacular fireballs into the night sky, while directly south the Port Area was ablaze.

At the lobby of the Manila Hotel, he recalled, a band played while elegantly dressed couples, mostly Americans and British, did a slow dance. It was the final night of American Manila.

The first Japanese troops entered the southern outskirts of Manila on January 2, 1942; the Japanese military administration was proclaimed the same day. Then followed three years dubbed as the "Ungodly Years."

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_fea/2004/jan/01-01.htm

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_fea/2004/jan/features_1-1.jpg
PANDACAN oil depot in Manila goes up in flames after the Japanese bombing in 1941.

"COLUMNS of black, oily smoke rose thousands of feet into the sky, blocking out the morning sun and creating an apocalyptic backdrop for the last hours of American Manila." Historians Richard Connaughton, John Pimlott and Duncan Anderson, in their book "The Battle for Manila" (1995), conveyed in words how American engineers blew up the oil storage depots in Pandacan as the Japanese started its invasion of the Philippines during the World War II.

The scene was also captured in a photograph at the Geronimo Berenguer de los Reyes Jr. (GBR) Foundation Museum in General Trias, Cavite.

This and about 170 more photos showing the outbreak of the World War II in the Philippines, the three-year Japanese Occupation and the Allied Liberation in 1944-45 are perhaps the most touching and awe-inspiring in the GBR collection.

The pictures are part of a big collection that depicts natural and historical scenes from the 18th-century Spanish colonial times to the Fifth Republic. Tycoon De los Reyes placed the collection in a museum at his Gateway Business Park, an industrial zone at the heart of General Trias town.

Horror of war

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_fea/2004/jan/features_1-2.jpg
SCREAMING HEADLINE. Worst fear comes true.

Depicted are an assortment of scenes -- destroyed landmarks, corpses of civilians killed in air raids and atrocities, mass evacuation, victorious Japanese troops, defeated Usaffe soldiers, guerrillas, wartime political events and even actual battles on land, sea and air.

Included in the collection are framed front pages of local and foreign newspapers then documenting events from the outbreak of the war to the Fall of the Japanese-occupied Philippines.

Jaime Hidalgo, Gateway's chief executive officer who sometimes act as unofficial museum tour guide, said his friend De los Reyes was only 9 years old when war broke out. De los Reyes then lived with his family on General Luna Street near the Supreme Court building in Manila's Ermita district.

The family moved to the highlands of Binangonan, Rizal, and remained there until Liberation. The young De los Reyes, Hidalgo recalled, was enchanted by dogfights between Japanese and American planes that he could see from the Binangonan Church belfry. He developed an interest in planes so had an entire pavilion at the Museum devoted to wartime and commercial aviation history.

Buying an inheritance

In the early 1990s, in a studio in San Francisco, California whose owner had just died, De los Reyes saw old photos of the Philippines. He decided to buy them from the owner's heir.

De los Reyes' photo collection also received contributions from the MacArthur Foundation, Roxas Foundation, Carlos P. Romulo Foundation and the Victor Puyat Collection, most of which were taken by photojournalist Honesto Vitug.

De los Reyes bought small-scale models of World War II planes that he watched as a boy that became part of his growing collection.

The businessman also commissioned large paintings of the Leyte Landing and the Battle of Leyte Gulf from Stan Stokes, who worked for the Smithsonian Institute.

The 1.6-hectare GBR Museum was opened in 1995. Four of the pavilions contain the photos exhibits while the fifth houses the model planes.

The Philippines, an American Commonwealth waiting for independence promised in 1946, got embroiled in World War II on December 8, about four hours after the Japanese's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

By December 23, the Japanese were driving American and Filipino forces southward.

Tactical retreat

Usaffe commander in chief General Douglas MacArthur put his so-called War Plan Orange 3 into effect. The plan called for the tactical withdrawal of all defending forces in Luzon to concentrate on the Bataan peninsula, where they were to wait for aid from the US.

December 25, 1941, Christmas Day, was perhaps one of the bleakest in Philippine history. There was no dawn Mass, no singing of carols and no exchanging of gifts.

On December 26, MacArthur declared Manila and its suburbs "open city."

Despite the declaration, the bombing of Manila continued.

On December 29, President Franklin Roosevelt sent a message to the Filipino people praising their gallant resistance against the Japanese invaders and promising liberation.

Quezon and his vice president, Sergio Osmeña, started their new terms of office inside a tunnel in Corregidor on the same day.

Fall of Bataan, Corregidor

Quezon left Corregidor on February 20 the following year and would reach the US on May 8. MacArthur left the island on March 11. Bataan surrendered on April 9, followed by Corregidor on May 6.

Carlos P. Romulo, then a colonel attached to the rear-echelon headquarters, recalled in his book "I Saw Philippines Fall" (1943), Manila's deserted boulevards, night clubs and hotels that looked like funeral parlors. On Manila Bay, sunken ships were sticking out like tombstones.

He saw looters roaming the streets, the ill-armed police abandoning all attempts to maintain peace and order. In the southeast, the Pandacan depots still spewed spectacular fireballs into the night sky, while directly south the Port Area was ablaze.

At the lobby of the Manila Hotel, he recalled, a band played while elegantly dressed couples, mostly Americans and British, did a slow dance. It was the final night of American Manila.

The first Japanese troops entered the southern outskirts of Manila on January 2, 1942; the Japanese military administration was proclaimed the same day. Then followed three years dubbed as the "Ungodly Years."

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_fea/2004/jan/01-01.htm

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_fea/2004/jan/features_1-1.jpg
PANDACAN oil depot in Manila goes up in flames after the Japanese bombing in 1941.

"COLUMNS of black, oily smoke rose thousands of feet into the sky, blocking out the morning sun and creating an apocalyptic backdrop for the last hours of American Manila." Historians Richard Connaughton, John Pimlott and Duncan Anderson, in their book "The Battle for Manila" (1995), conveyed in words how American engineers blew up the oil storage depots in Pandacan as the Japanese started its invasion of the Philippines during the World War II.

The scene was also captured in a photograph at the Geronimo Berenguer de los Reyes Jr. (GBR) Foundation Museum in General Trias, Cavite.

This and about 170 more photos showing the outbreak of the World War II in the Philippines, the three-year Japanese Occupation and the Allied Liberation in 1944-45 are perhaps the most touching and awe-inspiring in the GBR collection.

The pictures are part of a big collection that depicts natural and historical scenes from the 18th-century Spanish colonial times to the Fifth Republic. Tycoon De los Reyes placed the collection in a museum at his Gateway Business Park, an industrial zone at the heart of General Trias town.

Horror of war

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_fea/2004/jan/features_1-2.jpg
SCREAMING HEADLINE. Worst fear comes true.

Depicted are an assortment of scenes -- destroyed landmarks, corpses of civilians killed in air raids and atrocities, mass evacuation, victorious Japanese troops, defeated Usaffe soldiers, guerrillas, wartime political events and even actual battles on land, sea and air.

Included in the collection are framed front pages of local and foreign newspapers then documenting events from the outbreak of the war to the Fall of the Japanese-occupied Philippines.

Jaime Hidalgo, Gateway's chief executive officer who sometimes act as unofficial museum tour guide, said his friend De los Reyes was only 9 years old when war broke out. De los Reyes then lived with his family on General Luna Street near the Supreme Court building in Manila's Ermita district.

The family moved to the highlands of Binangonan, Rizal, and remained there until Liberation. The young De los Reyes, Hidalgo recalled, was enchanted by dogfights between Japanese and American planes that he could see from the Binangonan Church belfry. He developed an interest in planes so had an entire pavilion at the Museum devoted to wartime and commercial aviation history.

Buying an inheritance

In the early 1990s, in a studio in San Francisco, California whose owner had just died, De los Reyes saw old photos of the Philippines. He decided to buy them from the owner's heir.

De los Reyes' photo collection also received contributions from the MacArthur Foundation, Roxas Foundation, Carlos P. Romulo Foundation and the Victor Puyat Collection, most of which were taken by photojournalist Honesto Vitug.

De los Reyes bought small-scale models of World War II planes that he watched as a boy that became part of his growing collection.

The businessman also commissioned large paintings of the Leyte Landing and the Battle of Leyte Gulf from Stan Stokes, who worked for the Smithsonian Institute.

The 1.6-hectare GBR Museum was opened in 1995. Four of the pavilions contain the photos exhibits while the fifth houses the model planes.

The Philippines, an American Commonwealth waiting for independence promised in 1946, got embroiled in World War II on December 8, about four hours after the Japanese's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

By December 23, the Japanese were driving American and Filipino forces southward.

Tactical retreat

Usaffe commander in chief General Douglas MacArthur put his so-called War Plan Orange 3 into effect. The plan called for the tactical withdrawal of all defending forces in Luzon to concentrate on the Bataan peninsula, where they were to wait for aid from the US.

December 25, 1941, Christmas Day, was perhaps one of the bleakest in Philippine history. There was no dawn Mass, no singing of carols and no exchanging of gifts.

On December 26, MacArthur declared Manila and its suburbs "open city."

Despite the declaration, the bombing of Manila continued.

On December 29, President Franklin Roosevelt sent a message to the Filipino people praising their gallant resistance against the Japanese invaders and promising liberation.

Quezon and his vice president, Sergio Osmeña, started their new terms of office inside a tunnel in Corregidor on the same day.

Fall of Bataan, Corregidor

Quezon left Corregidor on February 20 the following year and would reach the US on May 8. MacArthur left the island on March 11. Bataan surrendered on April 9, followed by Corregidor on May 6.

Carlos P. Romulo, then a colonel attached to the rear-echelon headquarters, recalled in his book "I Saw Philippines Fall" (1943), Manila's deserted boulevards, night clubs and hotels that looked like funeral parlors. On Manila Bay, sunken ships were sticking out like tombstones.

He saw looters roaming the streets, the ill-armed police abandoning all attempts to maintain peace and order. In the southeast, the Pandacan depots still spewed spectacular fireballs into the night sky, while directly south the Port Area was ablaze.

At the lobby of the Manila Hotel, he recalled, a band played while elegantly dressed couples, mostly Americans and British, did a slow dance. It was the final night of American Manila.

The first Japanese troops entered the southern outskirts of Manila on January 2, 1942; the Japanese military administration was proclaimed the same day. Then followed three years dubbed as the "Ungodly Years."

http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_fea/2004/jan/01-01.htm

THERE are two obscure publications of the National Historical Institute (NHI) that should get a wider readership. These are publications on the Philippines at the turn of the last century from French sources, ably translated by the late Marietta Enriquez de la Haye Jousselin: "From Revolution to a Second Colonization: The Philippines Under Spain and the United States" and "The Diary of a French Officer on the War in the Philippines 1898."

While it is true that the major sources for this period in our history are to be found in Spain and the United States, we must not forget that some interesting materials can be found in France. Two decades ago there was much Filipiniana to be found cheap in the bookstalls by the Seine in Paris as well as in the huge flea market at Porte de Clignancourt.

The best collection of Filipiniana in French is that accumulated by Marc and Ofelia Tequi. It remains in their Paris living room. The Tequis showed me what was available and were generous enough to take me to their hunting grounds. At the time, I was into the many decorative pieces, usually engravings or printed illustrations in travel books that captured in pen, pencil and photographs what the Philippines and the Filipinos were like in the late 19th century. Most collectors went for these black and white pictures, which were often colored by hand to make them pretty enough to frame and hang on a sitting room wall.

In many shops, one had to wade through stalls with assorted pages from various books. The text was often ignored as dealers dismantled whole books, sacrificing content to sell the illustrations. It was only much later, when I had turned to history as a profession, that I realized that so much material was lost in this way.

At the time, I was lucky to have acquired copies of the 19th-century journal "La Tour du monde" which contained four lengthy and well-illustrated articles on the Philippines. At one point, I even thought of translating all four articles and reprinting these with all the pictures in one volume, but then the translations done for the NHI by the late E. Aguilar Cruz and De la Haye made me realize I was destined for other things.

One of the treasures that eluded me was the famous illustrated atlas that came with the two-volume work by Jean Mallat, "Les Philippines" (1846). The books are relatively easy to find unlike the atlas.

There was also a beautifully printed book on "Birds of the Philippines" that would have made a fine ornament on a coffee table, but then one cannot have everything.

In time, Filipiniana became scarce and expensive in Europe and I was left to work and learn from text-heavy books.

De la Haye translated four obscure articles in Revue de Paris by a French naval officer named Aime Ernest Motsch who hid under the pseudonym "Lt. X." This man was an eyewitness to the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1,1898 as well as the capitulation of Spanish Manila or Intramuros to the Americans on Aug. 13, 1898, and his account is but one thread in the larger history of the time. Reading this work made me realize how little people know about the history that took place on Manila Bay.

Few of those who enjoy the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard in Manila these days or stroll by the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex realize that in 1898 the Americans shelled Fort San Antonio Abad, the ruins of which now lie hidden in the central bank complex on Roxas Boulevard. Fewer still know that the first shot in the Spanish-American War of 1898 was not shot anywhere near Madrid or Washington, D.C. but half the world away on Manila Bay. On May 1, 1898, George Dewey sank the floating antiques posing as the Spanish armada in Manila and gained the distinction of winning "one of the most remarkable naval battles of the ages."

With this triumph the United States was no longer the backward provincial country looked down upon by Europe. The Battle of Manila Bay was the debut of the United States as an imperial power.

Months later, when the United States robbed the First Philippine Republic of its hard-won independence, the United States began its colonial experiment. In most accounts of the Spanish-American War, the Philippine participation is peripheral, and this is where the French accounts become important as they give another view, a different take on the same event. In this case, Lt. X, an eyewitness, describes the assault on Fort San Antonio Abad and notes that the Americans missed their mark and yet the Spanish holed up in Intramuros used this as an excuse for surrender. Lt. X also mentions Emilio Aguinaldo's mistake in trusting the Americans as his allies saying, "Asiatic cunning is not evident in Aguinaldo. He seems to have implicit faith in the ability of the Americans to bring independence to his country, which shows his limited knowledge of history."

From experience, we can say that a limited knowledge of history is almost the same as total ignorance of history. It is sad that with the passing of Marietta Enriquez de la Haye we have lost not just a hunter of rare Filipiniana based in Paris but more importantly, we have lost a translator who could make obscure French texts on our history available to Filipino scholars and interested general readers. One would wish that we will not only find all our historical sources but make them available in translation to advance our knowledge of our past.

http://www.inq7.net/opi/2004/may/19/opi_arocampo-1.htm

THERE are two obscure publications of the National Historical Institute (NHI) that should get a wider readership. These are publications on the Philippines at the turn of the last century from French sources, ably translated by the late Marietta Enriquez de la Haye Jousselin: "From Revolution to a Second Colonization: The Philippines Under Spain and the United States" and "The Diary of a French Officer on the War in the Philippines 1898."

While it is true that the major sources for this period in our history are to be found in Spain and the United States, we must not forget that some interesting materials can be found in France. Two decades ago there was much Filipiniana to be found cheap in the bookstalls by the Seine in Paris as well as in the huge flea market at Porte de Clignancourt.

The best collection of Filipiniana in French is that accumulated by Marc and Ofelia Tequi. It remains in their Paris living room. The Tequis showed me what was available and were generous enough to take me to their hunting grounds. At the time, I was into the many decorative pieces, usually engravings or printed illustrations in travel books that captured in pen, pencil and photographs what the Philippines and the Filipinos were like in the late 19th century. Most collectors went for these black and white pictures, which were often colored by hand to make them pretty enough to frame and hang on a sitting room wall.

In many shops, one had to wade through stalls with assorted pages from various books. The text was often ignored as dealers dismantled whole books, sacrificing content to sell the illustrations. It was only much later, when I had turned to history as a profession, that I realized that so much material was lost in this way.

At the time, I was lucky to have acquired copies of the 19th-century journal "La Tour du monde" which contained four lengthy and well-illustrated articles on the Philippines. At one point, I even thought of translating all four articles and reprinting these with all the pictures in one volume, but then the translations done for the NHI by the late E. Aguilar Cruz and De la Haye made me realize I was destined for other things.

One of the treasures that eluded me was the famous illustrated atlas that came with the two-volume work by Jean Mallat, "Les Philippines" (1846). The books are relatively easy to find unlike the atlas.

There was also a beautifully printed book on "Birds of the Philippines" that would have made a fine ornament on a coffee table, but then one cannot have everything.

In time, Filipiniana became scarce and expensive in Europe and I was left to work and learn from text-heavy books.

De la Haye translated four obscure articles in Revue de Paris by a French naval officer named Aime Ernest Motsch who hid under the pseudonym "Lt. X." This man was an eyewitness to the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1,1898 as well as the capitulation of Spanish Manila or Intramuros to the Americans on Aug. 13, 1898, and his account is but one thread in the larger history of the time. Reading this work made me realize how little people know about the history that took place on Manila Bay.

Few of those who enjoy the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard in Manila these days or stroll by the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex realize that in 1898 the Americans shelled Fort San Antonio Abad, the ruins of which now lie hidden in the central bank complex on Roxas Boulevard. Fewer still know that the first shot in the Spanish-American War of 1898 was not shot anywhere near Madrid or Washington, D.C. but half the world away on Manila Bay. On May 1, 1898, George Dewey sank the floating antiques posing as the Spanish armada in Manila and gained the distinction of winning "one of the most remarkable naval battles of the ages."

With this triumph the United States was no longer the backward provincial country looked down upon by Europe. The Battle of Manila Bay was the debut of the United States as an imperial power.

Months later, when the United States robbed the First Philippine Republic of its hard-won independence, the United States began its colonial experiment. In most accounts of the Spanish-American War, the Philippine participation is peripheral, and this is where the French accounts become important as they give another view, a different take on the same event. In this case, Lt. X, an eyewitness, describes the assault on Fort San Antonio Abad and notes that the Americans missed their mark and yet the Spanish holed up in Intramuros used this as an excuse for surrender. Lt. X also mentions Emilio Aguinaldo's mistake in trusting the Americans as his allies saying, "Asiatic cunning is not evident in Aguinaldo. He seems to have implicit faith in the ability of the Americans to bring independence to his country, which shows his limited knowledge of history."

From experience, we can say that a limited knowledge of history is almost the same as total ignorance of history. It is sad that with the passing of Marietta Enriquez de la Haye we have lost not just a hunter of rare Filipiniana based in Paris but more importantly, we have lost a translator who could make obscure French texts on our history available to Filipino scholars and interested general readers. One would wish that we will not only find all our historical sources but make them available in translation to advance our knowledge of our past.

http://www.inq7.net/opi/2004/may/19/opi_arocampo-1.htm

THERE are two obscure publications of the National Historical Institute (NHI) that should get a wider readership. These are publications on the Philippines at the turn of the last century from French sources, ably translated by the late Marietta Enriquez de la Haye Jousselin: "From Revolution to a Second Colonization: The Philippines Under Spain and the United States" and "The Diary of a French Officer on the War in the Philippines 1898."

While it is true that the major sources for this period in our history are to be found in Spain and the United States, we must not forget that some interesting materials can be found in France. Two decades ago there was much Filipiniana to be found cheap in the bookstalls by the Seine in Paris as well as in the huge flea market at Porte de Clignancourt.

The best collection of Filipiniana in French is that accumulated by Marc and Ofelia Tequi. It remains in their Paris living room. The Tequis showed me what was available and were generous enough to take me to their hunting grounds. At the time, I was into the many decorative pieces, usually engravings or printed illustrations in travel books that captured in pen, pencil and photographs what the Philippines and the Filipinos were like in the late 19th century. Most collectors went for these black and white pictures, which were often colored by hand to make them pretty enough to frame and hang on a sitting room wall.

In many shops, one had to wade through stalls with assorted pages from various books. The text was often ignored as dealers dismantled whole books, sacrificing content to sell the illustrations. It was only much later, when I had turned to history as a profession, that I realized that so much material was lost in this way.

At the time, I was lucky to have acquired copies of the 19th-century journal "La Tour du monde" which contained four lengthy and well-illustrated articles on the Philippines. At one point, I even thought of translating all four articles and reprinting these with all the pictures in one volume, but then the translations done for the NHI by the late E. Aguilar Cruz and De la Haye made me realize I was destined for other things.

One of the treasures that eluded me was the famous illustrated atlas that came with the two-volume work by Jean Mallat, "Les Philippines" (1846). The books are relatively easy to find unlike the atlas.

There was also a beautifully printed book on "Birds of the Philippines" that would have made a fine ornament on a coffee table, but then one cannot have everything.

In time, Filipiniana became scarce and expensive in Europe and I was left to work and learn from text-heavy books.

De la Haye translated four obscure articles in Revue de Paris by a French naval officer named Aime Ernest Motsch who hid under the pseudonym "Lt. X." This man was an eyewitness to the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1,1898 as well as the capitulation of Spanish Manila or Intramuros to the Americans on Aug. 13, 1898, and his account is but one thread in the larger history of the time. Reading this work made me realize how little people know about the history that took place on Manila Bay.

Few of those who enjoy the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard in Manila these days or stroll by the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex realize that in 1898 the Americans shelled Fort San Antonio Abad, the ruins of which now lie hidden in the central bank complex on Roxas Boulevard. Fewer still know that the first shot in the Spanish-American War of 1898 was not shot anywhere near Madrid or Washington, D.C. but half the world away on Manila Bay. On May 1, 1898, George Dewey sank the floating antiques posing as the Spanish armada in Manila and gained the distinction of winning "one of the most remarkable naval battles of the ages."

With this triumph the United States was no longer the backward provincial country looked down upon by Europe. The Battle of Manila Bay was the debut of the United States as an imperial power.

Months later, when the United States robbed the First Philippine Republic of its hard-won independence, the United States began its colonial experiment. In most accounts of the Spanish-American War, the Philippine participation is peripheral, and this is where the French accounts become important as they give another view, a different take on the same event. In this case, Lt. X, an eyewitness, describes the assault on Fort San Antonio Abad and notes that the Americans missed their mark and yet the Spanish holed up in Intramuros used this as an excuse for surrender. Lt. X also mentions Emilio Aguinaldo's mistake in trusting the Americans as his allies saying, "Asiatic cunning is not evident in Aguinaldo. He seems to have implicit faith in the ability of the Americans to bring independence to his country, which shows his limited knowledge of history."

From experience, we can say that a limited knowledge of history is almost the same as total ignorance of history. It is sad that with the passing of Marietta Enriquez de la Haye we have lost not just a hunter of rare Filipiniana based in Paris but more importantly, we have lost a translator who could make obscure French texts on our history available to Filipino scholars and interested general readers. One would wish that we will not only find all our historical sources but make them available in translation to advance our knowledge of our past.

http://www.inq7.net/opi/2004/may/19/opi_arocampo-1.htm

IN CHEYENNE, Wyoming, a pair of brass church bells can be found kept at Warren Air Force Base. Not too many people in the United States or in our own country know about these bells. But they are very much a part of Philippine history, having been taken from the town of Balangiga in Samar after an event which took place exactly 102 years ago today.

To appreciate the significance of the Balangiga bells, it is necessary to go back to the beginning of the 20th century as America was carrying out President William McKinley's policy of "benevolent assimilation" over the Philippine Islands which had been ceded by Spain as part of the Treaty of Paris, thus ending the Spanish-American War.

Even with the capture of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Filipino resistance to American occupation continued in many parts of the country. In fact, guerrilla activities increased forcing the United States to bring in reinforcements and raising its troop level to some 70,000 soldiers. Compare this with the 140,000 US troops in Iraq, now facing guerrilla warfare.

The island of Samar, third-largest in the Philippines, was one of the hotbeds of guerrilla action and in a bid to establish greater control over the island, Major General Adna Chaffee, Army commander of the Division of the Philippines, called for the establishment of more garrisons in the province. And so on Aug. 11, 1901, 74 officers and men of Company "C," Ninth US Infantry, disembarked from the US Army transport "Liscombe," in the harbor of Balangiga, a small town in the southern end of Samar.

The company commander was Captain Thomas W. Connell, a tall West Pointer in his late 20s who served in Cuba and in China during the Boxer Rebellion. He spoke Spanish and was "most unusual as a military man of that era because he opposed the prevalent Army opinion that bayonet rule was the only answer in governing the Philippines." He believed in McKinley's "benevolent assimilation" policy and in the mission of civilizing and Christianizing the native.

The second-in-command was 1st Lieutenant Bumpus who, on seeing the natives in Balangiga, is reported to have laughed and said, "Boys, we're in Googoo land for sure now!" The soldiers were regular Army, since the volunteer groups who first came to the Islands in 1899 had already been sent home. Most of the young men were farm boys who had run away from home for travel or adventure. Others were immigrants who spoke broken English.

The party was met by a delegation of town officials who offered the Americans the use of the municipal building as well as two rooms of the Church convent.

Several weeks after the arrival of the Americans, a secret meeting was held at the house of the town mayor. It was decided that a surprise attack would be carried out on a Sunday morning at around breakfast time. Some 500 men, divided in seven groups, would compose the attacking forces. One-third of them would be in women's clothes, posing as churchgoers.

* * *


On Sunday morning, Sept. 28, 1901, just as the troops were having breakfast, Police Chief Pedro Sanchez walked over to one of the US billets, grabbed a sentry's rifle and at the same time yelled out the signal for the attack to begin.

Immediately, the church bells started to ring continuously, while conch shells whistled loudly from the surrounding hills. The Church doors burst open, releasing a frightening mob of angry, screaming natives, brandishing sharp bolos and other improvised weapons such as, picks and shovels. It was combat at close quarters; bolos against Krag rifles. In the attack on the convent, the American officers were hacked to death on their beds. Lt. Bumpus was struck on the bridge of his nose so that the lower part of his face was chopped off. Capt. Connell who was saying his prayers, was hit in the back and stabbed many times all over his body.

An hour later, the town plaza was a bloody mess with cracked skulls and human entrails all over the place. Of the 74 men of Company "C," 36 would survive the massacre. Of these, 30 were wounded, most of them seriously. Ten would later die from their wounds, leaving only 26 of the original group.

Reprisal was swift in coming. First on the scene was Company "G," also of the Ninth Infantry. The force entered Balangiga, firing away with Gatling machine guns and light cannon. Twenty natives, captured at the edge of the town, were brought to the plaza and executed. The bodies were then doused with kerosene and set afire. All houses still standing were torched to the ground.

Less than a month after the Balangiga massacre, a separate command -- the Sixth Separate Brigade -- was formed to handle the Samar "problem." The Brigade was headed by Brigadier General Jacob Smith. Under Smith was a Marine Battalion led by Major L. W. Waller, which was tasked to clean up the southern portion of Samar. In issuing orders to Waller, General Smith declared, "I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn the better you will please me." His handwritten instructions were, "the interior of Samar must be made a howling wilderness." Waller later acquired the reputation as the "Butcher of Samar," and that ultimately cost him the post of Marine Corps Commandant.

http://www.inq7.net/opi/2003/sep/28/opi_rjfarolan-1.htm

IN CHEYENNE, Wyoming, a pair of brass church bells can be found kept at Warren Air Force Base. Not too many people in the United States or in our own country know about these bells. But they are very much a part of Philippine history, having been taken from the town of Balangiga in Samar after an event which took place exactly 102 years ago today.

To appreciate the significance of the Balangiga bells, it is necessary to go back to the beginning of the 20th century as America was carrying out President William McKinley's policy of "benevolent assimilation" over the Philippine Islands which had been ceded by Spain as part of the Treaty of Paris, thus ending the Spanish-American War.

Even with the capture of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Filipino resistance to American occupation continued in many parts of the country. In fact, guerrilla activities increased forcing the United States to bring in reinforcements and raising its troop level to some 70,000 soldiers. Compare this with the 140,000 US troops in Iraq, now facing guerrilla warfare.

The island of Samar, third-largest in the Philippines, was one of the hotbeds of guerrilla action and in a bid to establish greater control over the island, Major General Adna Chaffee, Army commander of the Division of the Philippines, called for the establishment of more garrisons in the province. And so on Aug. 11, 1901, 74 officers and men of Company "C," Ninth US Infantry, disembarked from the US Army transport "Liscombe," in the harbor of Balangiga, a small town in the southern end of Samar.

The company commander was Captain Thomas W. Connell, a tall West Pointer in his late 20s who served in Cuba and in China during the Boxer Rebellion. He spoke Spanish and was "most unusual as a military man of that era because he opposed the prevalent Army opinion that bayonet rule was the only answer in governing the Philippines." He believed in McKinley's "benevolent assimilation" policy and in the mission of civilizing and Christianizing the native.

The second-in-command was 1st Lieutenant Bumpus who, on seeing the natives in Balangiga, is reported to have laughed and said, "Boys, we're in Googoo land for sure now!" The soldiers were regular Army, since the volunteer groups who first came to the Islands in 1899 had already been sent home. Most of the young men were farm boys who had run away from home for travel or adventure. Others were immigrants who spoke broken English.

The party was met by a delegation of town officials who offered the Americans the use of the municipal building as well as two rooms of the Church convent.

Several weeks after the arrival of the Americans, a secret meeting was held at the house of the town mayor. It was decided that a surprise attack would be carried out on a Sunday morning at around breakfast time. Some 500 men, divided in seven groups, would compose the attacking forces. One-third of them would be in women's clothes, posing as churchgoers.

* * *


On Sunday morning, Sept. 28, 1901, just as the troops were having breakfast, Police Chief Pedro Sanchez walked over to one of the US billets, grabbed a sentry's rifle and at the same time yelled out the signal for the attack to begin.

Immediately, the church bells started to ring continuously, while conch shells whistled loudly from the surrounding hills. The Church doors burst open, releasing a frightening mob of angry, screaming natives, brandishing sharp bolos and other improvised weapons such as, picks and shovels. It was combat at close quarters; bolos against Krag rifles. In the attack on the convent, the American officers were hacked to death on their beds. Lt. Bumpus was struck on the bridge of his nose so that the lower part of his face was chopped off. Capt. Connell who was saying his prayers, was hit in the back and stabbed many times all over his body.

An hour later, the town plaza was a bloody mess with cracked skulls and human entrails all over the place. Of the 74 men of Company "C," 36 would survive the massacre. Of these, 30 were wounded, most of them seriously. Ten would later die from their wounds, leaving only 26 of the original group.

Reprisal was swift in coming. First on the scene was Company "G," also of the Ninth Infantry. The force entered Balangiga, firing away with Gatling machine guns and light cannon. Twenty natives, captured at the edge of the town, were brought to the plaza and executed. The bodies were then doused with kerosene and set afire. All houses still standing were torched to the ground.

Less than a month after the Balangiga massacre, a separate command -- the Sixth Separate Brigade -- was formed to handle the Samar "problem." The Brigade was headed by Brigadier General Jacob Smith. Under Smith was a Marine Battalion led by Major L. W. Waller, which was tasked to clean up the southern portion of Samar. In issuing orders to Waller, General Smith declared, "I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn the better you will please me." His handwritten instructions were, "the interior of Samar must be made a howling wilderness." Waller later acquired the reputation as the "Butcher of Samar," and that ultimately cost him the post of Marine Corps Commandant.

http://www.inq7.net/opi/2003/sep/28/opi_rjfarolan-1.htm

IN CHEYENNE, Wyoming, a pair of brass church bells can be found kept at Warren Air Force Base. Not too many people in the United States or in our own country know about these bells. But they are very much a part of Philippine history, having been taken from the town of Balangiga in Samar after an event which took place exactly 102 years ago today.

To appreciate the significance of the Balangiga bells, it is necessary to go back to the beginning of the 20th century as America was carrying out President William McKinley's policy of "benevolent assimilation" over the Philippine Islands which had been ceded by Spain as part of the Treaty of Paris, thus ending the Spanish-American War.

Even with the capture of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Filipino resistance to American occupation continued in many parts of the country. In fact, guerrilla activities increased forcing the United States to bring in reinforcements and raising its troop level to some 70,000 soldiers. Compare this with the 140,000 US troops in Iraq, now facing guerrilla warfare.

The island of Samar, third-largest in the Philippines, was one of the hotbeds of guerrilla action and in a bid to establish greater control over the island, Major General Adna Chaffee, Army commander of the Division of the Philippines, called for the establishment of more garrisons in the province. And so on Aug. 11, 1901, 74 officers and men of Company "C," Ninth US Infantry, disembarked from the US Army transport "Liscombe," in the harbor of Balangiga, a small town in the southern end of Samar.

The company commander was Captain Thomas W. Connell, a tall West Pointer in his late 20s who served in Cuba and in China during the Boxer Rebellion. He spoke Spanish and was "most unusual as a military man of that era because he opposed the prevalent Army opinion that bayonet rule was the only answer in governing the Philippines." He believed in McKinley's "benevolent assimilation" policy and in the mission of civilizing and Christianizing the native.

The second-in-command was 1st Lieutenant Bumpus who, on seeing the natives in Balangiga, is reported to have laughed and said, "Boys, we're in Googoo land for sure now!" The soldiers were regular Army, since the volunteer groups who first came to the Islands in 1899 had already been sent home. Most of the young men were farm boys who had run away from home for travel or adventure. Others were immigrants who spoke broken English.

The party was met by a delegation of town officials who offered the Americans the use of the municipal building as well as two rooms of the Church convent.

Several weeks after the arrival of the Americans, a secret meeting was held at the house of the town mayor. It was decided that a surprise attack would be carried out on a Sunday morning at around breakfast time. Some 500 men, divided in seven groups, would compose the attacking forces. One-third of them would be in women's clothes, posing as churchgoers.

* * *


On Sunday morning, Sept. 28, 1901, just as the troops were having breakfast, Police Chief Pedro Sanchez walked over to one of the US billets, grabbed a sentry's rifle and at the same time yelled out the signal for the attack to begin.

Immediately, the church bells started to ring continuously, while conch shells whistled loudly from the surrounding hills. The Church doors burst open, releasing a frightening mob of angry, screaming natives, brandishing sharp bolos and other improvised weapons such as, picks and shovels. It was combat at close quarters; bolos against Krag rifles. In the attack on the convent, the American officers were hacked to death on their beds. Lt. Bumpus was struck on the bridge of his nose so that the lower part of his face was chopped off. Capt. Connell who was saying his prayers, was hit in the back and stabbed many times all over his body.

An hour later, the town plaza was a bloody mess with cracked skulls and human entrails all over the place. Of the 74 men of Company "C," 36 would survive the massacre. Of these, 30 were wounded, most of them seriously. Ten would later die from their wounds, leaving only 26 of the original group.

Reprisal was swift in coming. First on the scene was Company "G," also of the Ninth Infantry. The force entered Balangiga, firing away with Gatling machine guns and light cannon. Twenty natives, captured at the edge of the town, were brought to the plaza and executed. The bodies were then doused with kerosene and set afire. All houses still standing were torched to the ground.

Less than a month after the Balangiga massacre, a separate command -- the Sixth Separate Brigade -- was formed to handle the Samar "problem." The Brigade was headed by Brigadier General Jacob Smith. Under Smith was a Marine Battalion led by Major L. W. Waller, which was tasked to clean up the southern portion of Samar. In issuing orders to Waller, General Smith declared, "I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn the better you will please me." His handwritten instructions were, "the interior of Samar must be made a howling wilderness." Waller later acquired the reputation as the "Butcher of Samar," and that ultimately cost him the post of Marine Corps Commandant.

http://www.inq7.net/opi/2003/sep/28/opi_rjfarolan-1.htm

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/towers.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/ignacio_interior.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/entrance.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/ignacio_church.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/towers.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/ignacio_interior.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/entrance.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/ignacio_church.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/towers.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/ignacio_interior.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/entrance.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/feldsparring/ignacio_church.jpg

This is the 1851 map of Intramuros showing the locations of 5 churches, namely: the Manila Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Church, the San Francisco Church, the San Nicholas Church Recoletos and the San Ignacio Church.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/intramuros.jpg


A picture of the Santo Domingo Church at Plaza de Santo Tomas circa 1900s. The University of Santo Tomas is on the left while the Colegio de Santa Roas is on the right. A statue of Fr. Miguel de Benavides O.P., a Manila archbishop and acknowledged founder of Santo Tomas, stands in the plaza.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/SantoTomas.jpg


A picture of the remains of the Santo Domingo Church which was one of the first to be bombed by Japanese forces in December 1941.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/santodomingo.jpg

Photos courtesy of EWebPro

This is the 1851 map of Intramuros showing the locations of 5 churches, namely: the Manila Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Church, the San Francisco Church, the San Nicholas Church Recoletos and the San Ignacio Church.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/intramuros.jpg


A picture of the Santo Domingo Church at Plaza de Santo Tomas circa 1900s. The University of Santo Tomas is on the left while the Colegio de Santa Roas is on the right. A statue of Fr. Miguel de Benavides O.P., a Manila archbishop and acknowledged founder of Santo Tomas, stands in the plaza.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/SantoTomas.jpg


A picture of the remains of the Santo Domingo Church which was one of the first to be bombed by Japanese forces in December 1941.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/santodomingo.jpg

Photos courtesy of EWebPro

This is the 1851 map of Intramuros showing the locations of 5 churches, namely: the Manila Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Church, the San Francisco Church, the San Nicholas Church Recoletos and the San Ignacio Church.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/intramuros.jpg


A picture of the Santo Domingo Church at Plaza de Santo Tomas circa 1900s. The University of Santo Tomas is on the left while the Colegio de Santa Roas is on the right. A statue of Fr. Miguel de Benavides O.P., a Manila archbishop and acknowledged founder of Santo Tomas, stands in the plaza.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/SantoTomas.jpg


A picture of the remains of the Santo Domingo Church which was one of the first to be bombed by Japanese forces in December 1941.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/santodomingo.jpg

Photos courtesy of EWebPro

Americans liberated from the Santo Tomas camp.

http://www.lougopal.com/Production%20Photos/Liberated%20Americans%20from%20StoTomas.jpg

The gate that leads to Santo Tomas.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/santotomasgate.jpg

Universidad de Santo Tomas' grounds.

http://www.cnac.org/emilscott/sams01b.jpg

Americans liberated from the Santo Tomas camp.

http://www.lougopal.com/Production%20Photos/Liberated%20Americans%20from%20StoTomas.jpg

The gate that leads to Santo Tomas.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/santotomasgate.jpg

Universidad de Santo Tomas' grounds.

http://www.cnac.org/emilscott/sams01b.jpg

Americans liberated from the Santo Tomas camp.

http://www.lougopal.com/Production%20Photos/Liberated%20Americans%20from%20StoTomas.jpg

The gate that leads to Santo Tomas.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/mr_altwegg/santotomasgate.jpg

Universidad de Santo Tomas' grounds.

http://www.cnac.org/emilscott/sams01b.jpg

Animo,

Salamat for sharing this. I have this book. My sister in Manila bought it for me about 3 years ago. You are right in that it's not a literary masterpiece but it makes for a good read simply because of how well it documented the lives and recollections of the survivors.

Thanks,
John

Animo,

Salamat for sharing this. I have this book. My sister in Manila bought it for me about 3 years ago. You are right in that it's not a literary masterpiece but it makes for a good read simply because of how well it documented the lives and recollections of the survivors.

Thanks,
John

Animo,

Salamat for sharing this. I have this book. My sister in Manila bought it for me about 3 years ago. You are right in that it's not a literary masterpiece but it makes for a good read simply because of how well it documented the lives and recollections of the survivors.

Thanks,
John

@ animo
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it the american forces who bombed intramuros cos the japanese were around that area. if u can see the tank in the pic was american's.
i saw some old pics of intramuros with an american tank passing through the thick wall.

@ animo
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it the american forces who bombed intramuros cos the japanese were around that area. if u can see the tank in the pic was american's.
i saw some old pics of intramuros with an american tank passing through the thick wall.

@ animo
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it the american forces who bombed intramuros cos the japanese were around that area. if u can see the tank in the pic was american's.
i saw some old pics of intramuros with an american tank passing through the thick wall.

@ animo
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it the american forces who bombed intramuros cos the japanese were around that area. if u can see the tank in the pic was american's.
i saw some old pics of intramuros with an american tank passing through the thick wall.

Both of them contributed in the destruction of the Philippines. :mad2:

@ animo
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it the american forces who bombed intramuros cos the japanese were around that area. if u can see the tank in the pic was american's.
i saw some old pics of intramuros with an american tank passing through the thick wall.

Both of them contributed in the destruction of the Philippines. :mad2:

@ animo
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it the american forces who bombed intramuros cos the japanese were around that area. if u can see the tank in the pic was american's.
i saw some old pics of intramuros with an american tank passing through the thick wall.

Both of them contributed in the destruction of the Philippines. :mad2:

@ animo
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it the american forces who bombed intramuros cos the japanese were around that area. if u can see the tank in the pic was american's.
i saw some old pics of intramuros with an american tank passing through the thick wall.

@vanoy2000: yes, the tanks in that photo are indeed US; this pic was taken in February 1945 when the returning US forces contended with the occupying Japanese forces to virtually destroy Manila. It's just that the structure in the background, Santo Domingo Church, had been destroyed by Japanese bombing raids during the first month of the war, December 1941, and had been in ruins since.

@ animo
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it the american forces who bombed intramuros cos the japanese were around that area. if u can see the tank in the pic was american's.
i saw some old pics of intramuros with an american tank passing through the thick wall.

@vanoy2000: yes, the tanks in that photo are indeed US; this pic was taken in February 1945 when the returning US forces contended with the occupying Japanese forces to virtually destroy Manila. It's just that the structure in the background, Santo Domingo Church, had been destroyed by Japanese bombing raids during the first month of the war, December 1941, and had been in ruins since.

@ animo
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it the american forces who bombed intramuros cos the japanese were around that area. if u can see the tank in the pic was american's.
i saw some old pics of intramuros with an american tank passing through the thick wall.

@vanoy2000: yes, the tanks in that photo are indeed US; this pic was taken in February 1945 when the returning US forces contended with the occupying Japanese forces to virtually destroy Manila. It's just that the structure in the background, Santo Domingo Church, had been destroyed by Japanese bombing raids during the first month of the war, December 1941, and had been in ruins since.

thanks for that guys.

thanks for that guys.

thanks for that guys.

http://www.edrington.com/images/Santo_Thomas_Gen._MacArthur.JPG
From edrington.com

http://www.edrington.com/images/Santo_Thomas_Gen._MacArthur.JPG
From edrington.com

http://www.edrington.com/images/Santo_Thomas_Gen._MacArthur.JPG
From edrington.com

Animo, you may want to visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/daeghraefn/. The site showcases a collection of black and white photos taken by a US soldier in transit from Honolulu to Tokyo. It's a rather concise compendium by a casual observer of the extent of Manila's horrific destruction exactly 61 years ago next month.

Animo, you may want to visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/daeghraefn/. The site showcases a collection of black and white photos taken by a US soldier in transit from Honolulu to Tokyo. It's a rather concise compendium by a casual observer of the extent of Manila's horrific destruction exactly 61 years ago next month.

Animo, you may want to visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/daeghraefn/. The site showcases a collection of black and white photos taken by a US soldier in transit from Honolulu to Tokyo. It's a rather concise compendium by a casual observer of the extent of Manila's horrific destruction exactly 61 years ago next month.

LOOK FOR San Francisco to get the jump on the rest of the country in plunging into the next battle of what some have called the "history wars" - academic combat between different versions of the past.

Next year is the centenary of the Spanish-American War, when U.S. forces defeated Spain in a brief conflict with virtually all public attention focused on Cuba. Spain lost its colonies - Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. Cuba, ostensibly independent, was forced to accept a constitution that gave Washington the right to intervene at will in its affairs. Puerto Rico and Guam were annexed by the United States. And in the Philippines, a massive bloodletting took place for years as the U.S. military suppressed Filipino rebels.

The anniversary promises a replay of the 1995 controversy over the Smithsonian Institution's aborted exhibition of the Enola Gay, the airplane that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945.

And there is a local angle. Impending debate over renovation of Union Square, with its grandiose cenotaph monument to Adm. George Dewey ( "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley" ), is likely to put U.S. conduct in the Philippines at center stage.

It was Dewey, of course, whose ships demolished Spain's Pacific fleet in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. But within a year, those same naval guns were fired to slaughter poorly armed Filipino guerrillas fighting against the United States - as they had fought the Spanish - for their independence.

Howard Zinn recounts in "A People's History of the United States" that in the first U.S. military encounter with the guerrillas, "Admiral Dewey steamed up the Pasig River and fired 500-pound shells into the Filipino trenches."

Dead Filipinos were piled so high that the Americans used their bodies for breastworks. A British witness said:

"This is not war; it is simply massacre and murderous butchery."

Given an abundance of similar incidents by Navy and Army units in the largely forgotten U.S. war against Filipino independence, and given that the Bay Area has a large and politically active Filipino American population, don't be surprised if the contentiousness over how to commemorate the Spanish-American War turns especially bitter here. Perhaps, then, some historical background on U.S. operations in the Philippines may be useful.

A century ago, in the midst of the cataclysmic depression of the 1890s, China beckoned seductively to American industrialists in search of foreign markets. American capitalists believed that in order to compete with exporters in Europe, Japan and Russia, the United States would need a port of entry to the Asian mainland.

Taking territory for a port from China itself was not a solution. That would only encourage other colonial powers to carve up the country among themselves, whereas the U.S. ruling class - confident that American corporations ultimately could possess it all - wanted China to remain intact.

The Philippine Islands, as a Spanish colony since the 16th century, seemed the perfect answer. Using events in Cuba as a pretext, the administration of President William McKinley in June 1898 declared war against Spain - first making sure to have Dewey's ships stationed outside Manila Bay.

"From the very beginning of the Spanish-American War," Thomas J. McCormick writes in "The China Market," "the McKinley administration intended to retain a foothold in the Philippines as an "American Hong Kong,' a commercial entrepo^t to the China market." What is more,

"Formulation of this policy commitment began seven months before hostilities with Spain. . . ."

Washington appealed to Philippine revolutionaries to make common cause against Spain, dangling the promise of independence as bait. The United States went so far as to bring back Emilio Aguinaldo, leader of the rebels, transporting him from China in a U.S. warship.

Had they known more of the U.S. record of disregarding its treaties with Native American peoples, Aguinaldo and his followers might have had second thoughts about accepting U.S. pledges at face value. As it was, no sooner were the Spanish defeated than yesterday's allies became today's enemies.

At the outset of the war with Spain, McKinley had piously intoned that to embark upon war for "high moral purpose" and then end by taking territory would amount to

"criminal aggression" ; later, he claimed that the U.S. purpose in the islands was "to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them" (a statement that conveniently ignored the fact that most of the Filipino population had converted to Catholicism during the centuries of Spanish rule).

Despite such sanctimonious pronouncements, "criminal aggression" was, as McCormick brings out, precisely what McKinley's government intended all along.

McKinley even had the temerity to argue that the islands

"came to us as a gift from the gods." Evidently the gods forgot to inform the Filipino people. The "Philippine Insurrection" officially ended in 1905, but nationalists remained rebellious until the archipelago became nominally independent in 1946.

To understand the U.S. conquest of the Philippines from the perspective of the conquered, it helps to view it as the link between the destruction of the Native American population in the last century and the U.S. devastation of Southeast Asia in this one. (Indeed, many of the commanding officers in the Philippines won their spurs by killing Indians in the West.)

The Filipino rebels, like their counterparts in every war of national liberation, fought guerrilla style, drawing upon the civilian population for sustenance and moral support.

The quickest and cheapest way for the United States to counter these guerrilla tactics was by waging a war of massacre against the Filipino people en masse (a practice at which Gen. Frederick Funston, whose name survives on what would otherwise be unlucky 13th Avenue in San Francisco, especially excelled).

The overwhelming majority of Filipinos who died at U.S. hands were noncombatants. Historians generally estimate that between 1899 and 1901, when Washington declared the revolt ended, 200,000 Filipino civilians perished in the war or from famine and disease.

To that figure, Charles Sellers, Henry May and Neil McMillen, in their "Synopsis of American History," add 20,000 Filipino guerrillas who died fighting. Fatalities on the American side amounted to 4,200. (The toll of American deaths in the heavily publicized conquest of Cuba was 2,446 - all but 385 from accidents or disease.)

No one knows the exact number of Filipinos killed in the course of this campaign to educate, uplift and civilize them, because the Filipinos didn't have the means of determining their casualties. To American authorities, the matter was one of supreme indifference.

Theodore Roosevelt called the Spanish-American War - with no irony whatsoever - a "splendid little war."

From the standpoint of the Philippine revolutionaries the United States recruited, then betrayed and butchered, there was precious little about it that was splendid.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1997/05/21/EDITORIAL4130.dtl

LOOK FOR San Francisco to get the jump on the rest of the country in plunging into the next battle of what some have called the "history wars" - academic combat between different versions of the past.

Next year is the centenary of the Spanish-American War, when U.S. forces defeated Spain in a brief conflict with virtually all public attention focused on Cuba. Spain lost its colonies - Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. Cuba, ostensibly independent, was forced to accept a constitution that gave Washington the right to intervene at will in its affairs. Puerto Rico and Guam were annexed by the United States. And in the Philippines, a massive bloodletting took place for years as the U.S. military suppressed Filipino rebels.

The anniversary promises a replay of the 1995 controversy over the Smithsonian Institution's aborted exhibition of the Enola Gay, the airplane that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945.

And there is a local angle. Impending debate over renovation of Union Square, with its grandiose cenotaph monument to Adm. George Dewey ( "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley" ), is likely to put U.S. conduct in the Philippines at center stage.

It was Dewey, of course, whose ships demolished Spain's Pacific fleet in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. But within a year, those same naval guns were fired to slaughter poorly armed Filipino guerrillas fighting against the United States - as they had fought the Spanish - for their independence.

Howard Zinn recounts in "A People's History of the United States" that in the first U.S. military encounter with the guerrillas, "Admiral Dewey steamed up the Pasig River and fired 500-pound shells into the Filipino trenches."

Dead Filipinos were piled so high that the Americans used their bodies for breastworks. A British witness said:

"This is not war; it is simply massacre and murderous butchery."

Given an abundance of similar incidents by Navy and Army units in the largely forgotten U.S. war against Filipino independence, and given that the Bay Area has a large and politically active Filipino American population, don't be surprised if the contentiousness over how to commemorate the Spanish-American War turns especially bitter here. Perhaps, then, some historical background on U.S. operations in the Philippines may be useful.

A century ago, in the midst of the cataclysmic depression of the 1890s, China beckoned seductively to American industrialists in search of foreign markets. American capitalists believed that in order to compete with exporters in Europe, Japan and Russia, the United States would need a port of entry to the Asian mainland.

Taking territory for a port from China itself was not a solution. That would only encourage other colonial powers to carve up the country among themselves, whereas the U.S. ruling class - confident that American corporations ultimately could possess it all - wanted China to remain intact.

The Philippine Islands, as a Spanish colony since the 16th century, seemed the perfect answer. Using events in Cuba as a pretext, the administration of President William McKinley in June 1898 declared war against Spain - first making sure to have Dewey's ships stationed outside Manila Bay.

"From the very beginning of the Spanish-American War," Thomas J. McCormick writes in "The China Market," "the McKinley administration intended to retain a foothold in the Philippines as an "American Hong Kong,' a commercial entrepo^t to the China market." What is more,

"Formulation of this policy commitment began seven months before hostilities with Spain. . . ."

Washington appealed to Philippine revolutionaries to make common cause against Spain, dangling the promise of independence as bait. The United States went so far as to bring back Emilio Aguinaldo, leader of the rebels, transporting him from China in a U.S. warship.

Had they known more of the U.S. record of disregarding its treaties with Native American peoples, Aguinaldo and his followers might have had second thoughts about accepting U.S. pledges at face value. As it was, no sooner were the Spanish defeated than yesterday's allies became today's enemies.

At the outset of the war with Spain, McKinley had piously intoned that to embark upon war for "high moral purpose" and then end by taking territory would amount to

"criminal aggression" ; later, he claimed that the U.S. purpose in the islands was "to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them" (a statement that conveniently ignored the fact that most of the Filipino population had converted to Catholicism during the centuries of Spanish rule).

Despite such sanctimonious pronouncements, "criminal aggression" was, as McCormick brings out, precisely what McKinley's government intended all along.

McKinley even had the temerity to argue that the islands

"came to us as a gift from the gods." Evidently the gods forgot to inform the Filipino people. The "Philippine Insurrection" officially ended in 1905, but nationalists remained rebellious until the archipelago became nominally independent in 1946.

To understand the U.S. conquest of the Philippines from the perspective of the conquered, it helps to view it as the link between the destruction of the Native American population in the last century and the U.S. devastation of Southeast Asia in this one. (Indeed, many of the commanding officers in the Philippines won their spurs by killing Indians in the West.)

The Filipino rebels, like their counterparts in every war of national liberation, fought guerrilla style, drawing upon the civilian population for sustenance and moral support.

The quickest and cheapest way for the United States to counter these guerrilla tactics was by waging a war of massacre against the Filipino people en masse (a practice at which Gen. Frederick Funston, whose name survives on what would otherwise be unlucky 13th Avenue in San Francisco, especially excelled).

The overwhelming majority of Filipinos who died at U.S. hands were noncombatants. Historians generally estimate that between 1899 and 1901, when Washington declared the revolt ended, 200,000 Filipino civilians perished in the war or from famine and disease.

To that figure, Charles Sellers, Henry May and Neil McMillen, in their "Synopsis of American History," add 20,000 Filipino guerrillas who died fighting. Fatalities on the American side amounted to 4,200. (The toll of American deaths in the heavily publicized conquest of Cuba was 2,446 - all but 385 from accidents or disease.)

No one knows the exact number of Filipinos killed in the course of this campaign to educate, uplift and civilize them, because the Filipinos didn't have the means of determining their casualties. To American authorities, the matter was one of supreme indifference.

Theodore Roosevelt called the Spanish-American War - with no irony whatsoever - a "splendid little war."

From the standpoint of the Philippine revolutionaries the United States recruited, then betrayed and butchered, there was precious little about it that was splendid.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1997/05/21/EDITORIAL4130.dtl

LOOK FOR San Francisco to get the jump on the rest of the country in plunging into the next battle of what some have called the "history wars" - academic combat between different versions of the past.

Next year is the centenary of the Spanish-American War, when U.S. forces defeated Spain in a brief conflict with virtually all public attention focused on Cuba. Spain lost its colonies - Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. Cuba, ostensibly independent, was forced to accept a constitution that gave Washington the right to intervene at will in its affairs. Puerto Rico and Guam were annexed by the United States. And in the Philippines, a massive bloodletting took place for years as the U.S. military suppressed Filipino rebels.

The anniversary promises a replay of the 1995 controversy over the Smithsonian Institution's aborted exhibition of the Enola Gay, the airplane that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945.

And there is a local angle. Impending debate over renovation of Union Square, with its grandiose cenotaph monument to Adm. George Dewey ( "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley" ), is likely to put U.S. conduct in the Philippines at center stage.

It was Dewey, of course, whose ships demolished Spain's Pacific fleet in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. But within a year, those same naval guns were fired to slaughter poorly armed Filipino guerrillas fighting against the United States - as they had fought the Spanish - for their independence.

Howard Zinn recounts in "A People's History of the United States" that in the first U.S. military encounter with the guerrillas, "Admiral Dewey steamed up the Pasig River and fired 500-pound shells into the Filipino trenches."

Dead Filipinos were piled so high that the Americans used their bodies for breastworks. A British witness said:

"This is not war; it is simply massacre and murderous butchery."

Given an abundance of similar incidents by Navy and Army units in the largely forgotten U.S. war against Filipino independence, and given that the Bay Area has a large and politically active Filipino American population, don't be surprised if the contentiousness over how to commemorate the Spanish-American War turns especially bitter here. Perhaps, then, some historical background on U.S. operations in the Philippines may be useful.

A century ago, in the midst of the cataclysmic depression of the 1890s, China beckoned seductively to American industrialists in search of foreign markets. American capitalists believed that in order to compete with exporters in Europe, Japan and Russia, the United States would need a port of entry to the Asian mainland.

Taking territory for a port from China itself was not a solution. That would only encourage other colonial powers to carve up the country among themselves, whereas the U.S. ruling class - confident that American corporations ultimately could possess it all - wanted China to remain intact.

The Philippine Islands, as a Spanish colony since the 16th century, seemed the perfect answer. Using events in Cuba as a pretext, the administration of President William McKinley in June 1898 declared war against Spain - first making sure to have Dewey's ships stationed outside Manila Bay.

"From the very beginning of the Spanish-American War," Thomas J. McCormick writes in "The China Market," "the McKinley administration intended to retain a foothold in the Philippines as an "American Hong Kong,' a commercial entrepo^t to the China market." What is more,

"Formulation of this policy commitment began seven months before hostilities with Spain. . . ."

Washington appealed to Philippine revolutionaries to make common cause against Spain, dangling the promise of independence as bait. The United States went so far as to bring back Emilio Aguinaldo, leader of the rebels, transporting him from China in a U.S. warship.

Had they known more of the U.S. record of disregarding its treaties with Native American peoples, Aguinaldo and his followers might have had second thoughts about accepting U.S. pledges at face value. As it was, no sooner were the Spanish defeated than yesterday's allies became today's enemies.

At the outset of the war with Spain, McKinley had piously intoned that to embark upon war for "high moral purpose" and then end by taking territory would amount to

"criminal aggression" ; later, he claimed that the U.S. purpose in the islands was "to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them" (a statement that conveniently ignored the fact that most of the Filipino population had converted to Catholicism during the centuries of Spanish rule).

Despite such sanctimonious pronouncements, "criminal aggression" was, as McCormick brings out, precisely what McKinley's government intended all along.

McKinley even had the temerity to argue that the islands

"came to us as a gift from the gods." Evidently the gods forgot to inform the Filipino people. The "Philippine Insurrection" officially ended in 1905, but nationalists remained rebellious until the archipelago became nominally independent in 1946.

To understand the U.S. conquest of the Philippines from the perspective of the conquered, it helps to view it as the link between the destruction of the Native American population in the last century and the U.S. devastation of Southeast Asia in this one. (Indeed, many of the commanding officers in the Philippines won their spurs by killing Indians in the West.)

The Filipino rebels, like their counterparts in every war of national liberation, fought guerrilla style, drawing upon the civilian population for sustenance and moral support.

The quickest and cheapest way for the United States to counter these guerrilla tactics was by waging a war of massacre against the Filipino people en masse (a practice at which Gen. Frederick Funston, whose name survives on what would otherwise be unlucky 13th Avenue in San Francisco, especially excelled).

The overwhelming majority of Filipinos who died at U.S. hands were noncombatants. Historians generally estimate that between 1899 and 1901, when Washington declared the revolt ended, 200,000 Filipino civilians perished in the war or from famine and disease.

To that figure, Charles Sellers, Henry May and Neil McMillen, in their "Synopsis of American History," add 20,000 Filipino guerrillas who died fighting. Fatalities on the American side amounted to 4,200. (The toll of American deaths in the heavily publicized conquest of Cuba was 2,446 - all but 385 from accidents or disease.)

No one knows the exact number of Filipinos killed in the course of this campaign to educate, uplift and civilize them, because the Filipinos didn't have the means of determining their casualties. To American authorities, the matter was one of supreme indifference.

Theodore Roosevelt called the Spanish-American War - with no irony whatsoever - a "splendid little war."

From the standpoint of the Philippine revolutionaries the United States recruited, then betrayed and butchered, there was precious little about it that was splendid.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1997/05/21/EDITORIAL4130.dtl

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/restardo/BID0905c.gif

The Maid of Bataan by Fernando Amorsolo, the most influential artist in the history of the Philippines, compares the misery of war with hell. The maiden, depicted with an ethereal aura, symbolic of resilience and represents the power of good over evil. The red, hot inferno in the background flows amidst the dark unknown abyss. The wounded martyr in the foreground pays homage to the deaths and symbolizes courage and supreme self-sacrifice.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/restardo/2.jpg

Rizal Avenue in Ruins by Fernando Amorsolo (1945)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/restardo/BID0905c.gif

The Maid of Bataan by Fernando Amorsolo, the most influential artist in the history of the Philippines, compares the misery of war with hell. The maiden, depicted with an ethereal aura, symbolic of resilience and represents the power of good over evil. The red, hot inferno in the background flows amidst the dark unknown abyss. The wounded martyr in the foreground pays homage to the deaths and symbolizes courage and supreme self-sacrifice.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/restardo/2.jpg

Rizal Avenue in Ruins by Fernando Amorsolo (1945)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/restardo/BID0905c.gif

The Maid of Bataan by Fernando Amorsolo, the most influential artist in the history of the Philippines, compares the misery of war with hell. The maiden, depicted with an ethereal aura, symbolic of resilience and represents the power of good over evil. The red, hot inferno in the background flows amidst the dark unknown abyss. The wounded martyr in the foreground pays homage to the deaths and symbolizes courage and supreme self-sacrifice.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/restardo/2.jpg

Rizal Avenue in Ruins by Fernando Amorsolo (1945)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman1.jpg
Manila Cathedral

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman95.jpg
Santo Domingo Church, Intramuros

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman91.jpg
Binondo Church

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman90.jpg
Quiapo Church

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman8.jpg
Intramuros gate

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman97.jpg
Universidad de Santo Tomas in Intramuros (?)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman2.jpg
Legislature building

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman99.jpg
Manila City Hall

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman98.jpg
Agriculture Bldg and PNU

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman7.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman96.jpg
Building in Intramuros

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman5.jpg
Manila Hotel (Before)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman4.jpg
Manila Hotel (After)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman6.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman1.jpg
Manila Cathedral

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman95.jpg
Santo Domingo Church, Intramuros

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman91.jpg
Binondo Church

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman90.jpg
Quiapo Church

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman8.jpg
Intramuros gate

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman97.jpg
Universidad de Santo Tomas in Intramuros (?)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman2.jpg
Legislature building

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman99.jpg
Manila City Hall

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman98.jpg
Agriculture Bldg and PNU

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman7.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman96.jpg
Building in Intramuros

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman5.jpg
Manila Hotel (Before)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman4.jpg
Manila Hotel (After)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman6.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman1.jpg
Manila Cathedral

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman95.jpg
Santo Domingo Church, Intramuros

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman91.jpg
Binondo Church

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman90.jpg
Quiapo Church

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman8.jpg
Intramuros gate

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman97.jpg
Universidad de Santo Tomas in Intramuros (?)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman2.jpg
Legislature building

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman99.jpg
Manila City Hall

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman98.jpg
Agriculture Bldg and PNU

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman7.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman96.jpg
Building in Intramuros

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman5.jpg
Manila Hotel (Before)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman4.jpg
Manila Hotel (After)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/nomdeusuario/warman6.jpg

Thank you manileño by these impressible images of the destruction of Manila.

Gracias manileño por estas impresionantes imágenes de la destrucción de Manila. Qué pena todo lo que perdió Filipinas. Los que aprobaron esta destrucción querían eliminar no solo el patrimonio arquitectónico, sino también el patrimonio cultural de Filipinas. Lo mejor que se puede hacer hoy en día es reconstruir lo destruido y recuperar la cultura robada al país.

Thank you manileño by these impressible images of the destruction of Manila.

Gracias manileño por estas impresionantes imágenes de la destrucción de Manila. Qué pena todo lo que perdió Filipinas. Los que aprobaron esta destrucción querían eliminar no solo el patrimonio arquitectónico, sino también el patrimonio cultural de Filipinas. Lo mejor que se puede hacer hoy en día es reconstruir lo destruido y recuperar la cultura robada al país.

Thank you manileño by these impressible images of the destruction of Manila.

Gracias manileño por estas impresionantes imágenes de la destrucción de Manila. Qué pena todo lo que perdió Filipinas. Los que aprobaron esta destrucción querían eliminar no solo el patrimonio arquitectónico, sino también el patrimonio cultural de Filipinas. Lo mejor que se puede hacer hoy en día es reconstruir lo destruido y recuperar la cultura robada al país.

^^ Thanks manileño! Those photos are so haunting and the Filipinos need to know more about these kinds of things. I find it really horrible that the country seems to forget about what had happened in the war and its past. Do they have some big commemoration event for World War II? I do not seem to remember much about it.

¡Hola Jonkar! ¿Qué tal? :)

^^ Thanks manileño! Those photos are so haunting and the Filipinos need to know more about these kinds of things. I find it really horrible that the country seems to forget about what had happened in the war and its past. Do they have some big commemoration event for World War II? I do not seem to remember much about it.

¡Hola Jonkar! ¿Qué tal? :)