Gladys Savary, Author at The Philippine Diary Project

Gladys Savary

(June 2, 1893 — September 14, 1985), restauranteur. Because of her being married to a French national, she was not interned by the Japanese with Allied civilians in Manila.

December 16, 1941

Here we are, well into the second week of our war. It seems years, but it’s exactly a week ago yesterday since Nick handed me

December 26, 1941

Well, the Powers that Be have gone—sort of sneaked out quietly. The girls from the High Commissioner’s office came over the day before they left

Sunday, December 28, 1941

December 28, 1941

A fine diary this is. I must think I’m a Shirer, only different. I was one of those who thought it couldn’t happen here—that the

December 29, 1941

The open city idea isn’t working. We sat yesterday under three hours and twenty minutes of constant bombing, formations of nine planes being always in

January 1, 1942

A fine New Year’s Day—with a faint tinge of hangover and the Japs, like Sheridan, only twenty miles away—more or less. Mostly less. I understand

January 2, 1942

I went to market this morning and stocked up with all sorts of things. Prices have gone up dreadfully. It is now eight in the

January 3, 1942

] didn’t go to bed. Mr. P-———— , an oil man caught here en route to India, has been staying in the house. He was

January 4, 1942

Jap soldiers came into the kitchen today with an interpreter, wanting to cook their food on our stoves. They are the Bay View Hotel guard

January 5, 1942

Yesterday was hectic. Tremendous activity. Trucks roaring hither and yon, probably en route to the front which has been established (so someone told me over

January 6, 1942

My theory that the greatest evil that ever befell mankind, the most harmful power that exists, is fear turns out to be correct insofar as

January 8, 1942

It seems to be more than just registration. Everyone, practically, has been put in Santo Tomas, a huge university with acres of garden space. Nothing

January 10, 1942

Janson said my standing as French was pretty shaky, as I had worked so hard and for so long on the Free French Committee. So

January 14, 1942

While I have the energy I want to record yesterday’s doings—a most momentous day. We cleared up the cocktail lounge, took out all the broken

January 15, 1942

The typhoid-cholera-dysentery combination, plus the banged-up knee, plus cats on the roof, made last night definitely not a tranquil one. A masterpiece of understatement. Wish

January 18, 1942

The newsboys call the papers just as early. Sounds just the same—SUNDAY TRIBUNE!— but the paper isn’t the same. The morning headlines feature the taking

January 29, 1942*

January 29, 1942

*This entry is undated in the book, but situated before the January 30, 1942 entry which is dated. What am I going to do with

January 30, 1942

The Japanese are so intent on showing the Filipino people their great victories, that they have plastered the town with huge maps, showing the Japanese

Sometime in February, 1942

February 1, 1942

When we win this Pacific war, it seems to me we will be the world’s policemen, whether we like it or not. A nation of

February 14, 1942

I remember last year on this date I wanted to do a broadcast over KZRH about St. Valentine. I went down to Church House to

February 15, 1942*

February 15, 1942

(*Undated in book; but context dates to Fall of Singapore on February 15, 1942) The fall of Singapore hit us all between the eyes. It

February 16, 1942*

February 16, 1942

(*Undated in book; but context dates to escape of British sailors from Santo Tomas and their execution on February 15, 1942) Today was a hectic

February 17, 1942

The morning paper gives the details of the surrender of Singapore. Bataan and Corregidor still hold. I thought I saw a moving boat in the

February 18, 1942

I went to St. Luke’s Hospital this afternoon in a carretela to take things to people who are sick there. Vignettes of occupied Manila passed

March 9, 1942

The Java situation looks grave and I suppose Rangoon can’t hold out very long. Treachery entered into both these situations. In this war it seems

March 17, 1942

The hundredth day of the war—another Hundred Days ended the career of Napoleon who thought he was supreme. It’s going to take us a little

April 12, 1942

Today we heard something over Nichols Field—bombing everyone insisted. I get so irritated at these rumors of bombings, landings, convoys in the bay, etc., etc.,

April 14, 1942

My wedding anniversary. Paris seems another world. It must have been in some other era that I lived in my gay little house on the

January 12, 1943

Someone said today, “This is going to be a long war.” It has been a long war, and I wish it were nearer the end,

February, 1943*

February 1, 1943

(*Undated, but located between January 12, 1943 and March, 1943) I was in camp today and heard quite a tale. Sex has reared its ugly

April, 1943*

April 1, 1943

(*Undated but in portion dealing with Summer of 1943) I had a great find today. In other, happier days the arrival of a mail boat