These days, tales of heroism inundate the Philippines from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi. Thanks to the feat of Manny Pacquiao considered by many as a hero. (With due respect to him, I do not see any iota of heroism in Manny for he has never experienced a between-life-and-death situation wherein he showed great courage and willingness to do self-sacrifice to the point of giving his life for a greater good. He is an excellent and famous boxer!)
A month ago, the Philippines commemorated the annual infamous Bataan Death March partly depicted in a 2005 movie Great Raid. The intensity of the scenes and the adrenalin of the viewers attest the historical significance of the movie beautifully directed.
Anyway, during the Japanese Occupation, Americans and Filipinos were at the peak of brotherhood. The former enjoyed the latter’s hospitality. They both experienced untold brutality. They fought side by side against a common enemy and indeed, they died as comrades in the battlefield. In that Death March, I lost my uncle who was enlisted in the US Army of the Philippine Commonwealth. He died decades before I was born and I greatly appreciate his effort in trying to help free a raped and mangled nation.
Not to be outdone, my Dad, my Mom and my Aunt were active in the guerilla movement risking their lives just like the rest of the guerillas helping the Americans. They worked for Col. Russell W. Volckmann who was under Gen. Douglas McArthur. My grandparents shared their roof and whatever viand and “basi” (Ilocano liquor) they have to the Americans and guerillas.
As a young boy, I heard bedtime nonfiction horror stories about the war done in our town. There was a man whose ears were cut off by a Japanese officer and fed to the victim. That man who was about to be murdered was in front of his wife and townspeople who were ordered not to shed any tear or show any sign of emotion. Any infringement is punishable by death. When the hogtied man refused to eat his ears, he was finished with a bayonet. Everyone was terrified to their soul in witnessing a barbaric execution.
It is painful and devastating to remember how our parents and Filipinos gone ahead of us suffered. I have no intention to blame or demonize the Japanese. The present Japan has nothing to do with the crime and atrocities committed by their forefathers. If I have an intention, that is to pray that peace ferments, brews and permeates in the Philippines and in all hot spots of the world.
Those whose lives were sacrificed in World War II did not see the dawn of freedom. For those who survived and we the living, how many have realized the futility of war as an instrument in achieving peace? War has not solved anything in human history. If it seems to have solved something, other bad pops up from the ravages of that “good” war.
Although Great Raid is a good movie in the eyes of a movie critic, I did not see a footage showing Filipinos fighting in the front lines. They were just “supporting actors”. That is contrary to the accounts of my parents and their contemporaries.
Filipinos were in the front lines out of deep patriotism and valor. They took the risk and stood on their ground. They expected casualties. It was war! This is the reason why Filipinos have more than a million deaths compared to America’s 60,000 plus. (http://www.ualberta.ca/~vmitchel/fw6.html) Inferiorly trained and armed, Filipinos nonetheless manifested the same brand of bravery and heroism the Katipuneros possessed.
Those were the heroes, heroines; sung or unsung. Although they knew the risk, they made the decision to rise up in arms and end once for all the savageries. They wanted to give their offspring and future generations a better government and a better country without counting the cost.
In our midst, heroes and heroines are still around for their tribe is inextinguishable. This country has millions of them. They were those facing the tanks and evil minions of a brutal and God-less dictator in 1986. Filipinos were together as one and ready to shed their blood. They took another risk. Filipinos have suffered too much under the fascist dictatorship of a fellow Filipino.
Although this country and us are suffering again, I do not lose my fervent hope and belief in the Filipino spirit that sooner; not later, we, Filipinos of valor and goodwill will be ONE again in rewriting a better chapter of our history. When the long nights of wailing and grinding of teeth are over, sweet salvation will descend upon us through our collective effort and determination and not from outside.
That can only be done if heroes in the real sense are made and take a chance. They can make the difference just like us ordinary mortals if we do our share no matter how small or humble.
Peace, Shalom and Al Hub aAs-Salam (Love and Peace) is possible for there is nothing impossible in Allah, Adonai, God!-30-
A month ago, the Philippines commemorated the annual infamous Bataan Death March partly depicted in a 2005 movie Great Raid. The intensity of the scenes and the adrenalin of the viewers attest the historical significance of the movie beautifully directed.
Anyway, during the Japanese Occupation, Americans and Filipinos were at the peak of brotherhood. The former enjoyed the latter’s hospitality. They both experienced untold brutality. They fought side by side against a common enemy and indeed, they died as comrades in the battlefield. In that Death March, I lost my uncle who was enlisted in the US Army of the Philippine Commonwealth. He died decades before I was born and I greatly appreciate his effort in trying to help free a raped and mangled nation.
Not to be outdone, my Dad, my Mom and my Aunt were active in the guerilla movement risking their lives just like the rest of the guerillas helping the Americans. They worked for Col. Russell W. Volckmann who was under Gen. Douglas McArthur. My grandparents shared their roof and whatever viand and “basi” (Ilocano liquor) they have to the Americans and guerillas.
As a young boy, I heard bedtime nonfiction horror stories about the war done in our town. There was a man whose ears were cut off by a Japanese officer and fed to the victim. That man who was about to be murdered was in front of his wife and townspeople who were ordered not to shed any tear or show any sign of emotion. Any infringement is punishable by death. When the hogtied man refused to eat his ears, he was finished with a bayonet. Everyone was terrified to their soul in witnessing a barbaric execution.
It is painful and devastating to remember how our parents and Filipinos gone ahead of us suffered. I have no intention to blame or demonize the Japanese. The present Japan has nothing to do with the crime and atrocities committed by their forefathers. If I have an intention, that is to pray that peace ferments, brews and permeates in the Philippines and in all hot spots of the world.
Those whose lives were sacrificed in World War II did not see the dawn of freedom. For those who survived and we the living, how many have realized the futility of war as an instrument in achieving peace? War has not solved anything in human history. If it seems to have solved something, other bad pops up from the ravages of that “good” war.
Although Great Raid is a good movie in the eyes of a movie critic, I did not see a footage showing Filipinos fighting in the front lines. They were just “supporting actors”. That is contrary to the accounts of my parents and their contemporaries.
Filipinos were in the front lines out of deep patriotism and valor. They took the risk and stood on their ground. They expected casualties. It was war! This is the reason why Filipinos have more than a million deaths compared to America’s 60,000 plus. (http://www.ualberta.ca/~vmitchel/fw6.html) Inferiorly trained and armed, Filipinos nonetheless manifested the same brand of bravery and heroism the Katipuneros possessed.
Those were the heroes, heroines; sung or unsung. Although they knew the risk, they made the decision to rise up in arms and end once for all the savageries. They wanted to give their offspring and future generations a better government and a better country without counting the cost.
In our midst, heroes and heroines are still around for their tribe is inextinguishable. This country has millions of them. They were those facing the tanks and evil minions of a brutal and God-less dictator in 1986. Filipinos were together as one and ready to shed their blood. They took another risk. Filipinos have suffered too much under the fascist dictatorship of a fellow Filipino.
Although this country and us are suffering again, I do not lose my fervent hope and belief in the Filipino spirit that sooner; not later, we, Filipinos of valor and goodwill will be ONE again in rewriting a better chapter of our history. When the long nights of wailing and grinding of teeth are over, sweet salvation will descend upon us through our collective effort and determination and not from outside.
That can only be done if heroes in the real sense are made and take a chance. They can make the difference just like us ordinary mortals if we do our share no matter how small or humble.
Peace, Shalom and Al Hub aAs-Salam (Love and Peace) is possible for there is nothing impossible in Allah, Adonai, God!-30-
No comments:
Post a Comment