December 8, 1941
Feast of the Immaculate Conception and of the Ateneo de Manila. Mass started at seven in the morning. During the mass, someone approached Father Rector
Feast of the Immaculate Conception and of the Ateneo de Manila. Mass started at seven in the morning. During the mass, someone approached Father Rector
At two o’clock in the morning, I woke up and saw from the window huge fires in the direction of Manila. I woke Papa up.
This day, I received the biggest scare in all my life. At 12:30 in the afternoon, as I returned to the college, I heard the
For the first time since our training started, I returned home with Herme Villarica, a cousin. It’s worth going through all the trouble of training
I felt greatly privileged and proud when I was assigned, among others, to guard the Philippine Army Headquarters. Never was I more proud of my
My hands were now rough and full of calluses resulting from the intensive training given us. We were being trained 24 hours a day. This
The traditional Christmas family reunion was complete but for the absence of Felixberto and his family, who were in Palawan and Gonzalo and George, who
Ramon Cabrera, a classmate, called me by phone and told me to hurry and go to the University of Santo Tomas campus where volunteers were
I was assigned messenger to the Battalion Headquarters. As a consequence, I was late for my first army meal. The coffee ran short. I had
Alfred floored the gas pedal. We overtook convoy after convoy all headed the same way we were. The traffic was heavy and constant that all
Last night we slept near a regimental command post. Early today, the regimental Commanding Officer somehow managed to get us a truck. But the truck
We were ordered by Lt. Villamor of the BN S-2 to locate a site for our camp. We found a nice shady place along the
Luck was with us today. We chipped in and bought a five-peso hen. I did the dressing or rather the undressing and cooking. I should
This afternoon, while resting in our camp, we heard the roar of what sounded like tanks. Coming out of our shade, we saw Alfred driving
I filed my insurance application for P10,000. My beneficiaries were Mama and Joaquin. Returning in the afternoon from the Battalion Headquarters, I was notified by
Orders came from General Francisco to bring one BGC to the Pilar-Bagac junction from where an American officer would take over the command. The CO
I remembered Gonzy in my prayers on the occasion of his birthday. I knew his worth. We found our new campsite utterly filthy, having been
While the company was having its nightly get- together after a community rosary, a general alarm was called. Fifteen Japanese prisoners had escaped from Cabcaben concentration
Orders came for the entire Anti-tank Battalion to move off. Just as soon as we were ready, counter orders arrived. The Tank Company was to
About four this afternoon, three Japanese planes flew low over us, apparently on their way back to Manila. As the last plane passed over our
George’s birthday. I prayed an extra rosary for him. I asked and was granted permission to go with the jitney to get supplies. My instructions
I asked the Commanding Officer to allow me to go to the Battalion Aid Station for a couple of days to rest. I had a
Yesterday, Major Dumlao for the first time talked to me since he became our Battalion Commanding Officer. He told me that he received news that
On four occasions between the 15th and today, we were shelled from the sea by heavily armed gunboats. Each time we thought a landing would
A captain, the G-2 of the Division Headquarters, came to inspect our unit. As he inspected our car, he sat down and talked familiarly with
Soldiers by the hundreds, tired, haggard and hungry, passed by our command post. They gave the report that the front lines were already pierced and
Since six this morning till dark tonight, we were shelled and bombed incessantly. Planes would fly over us and bomb us at leisure. Before we
My tour of sentry duty ended at five this morning. Ramon Cabrera relieved me. As I was about to sleep, I overheard the PC lieutenant
All was in readiness for the trip — food, clothes and a portfolio filled with important military information. We were not to take arms with
Instead of twiddling our thumbs a full day, my father decided to look over Balanacan harbor to be able to render a more complete report