Louise Fillmore Blancaflor

An American married a Filipino doctor, Cornel Blancaflor.

December 19, 1941

After the bombing of Iloilo yesterday we thought it best to evacuate to the farm in Barotac. Most of our furniture was already there. After

December 8-30, 1941

December 30, 1941

My dearest Mother and all, I do not know just when you will receive this letter, but I know it will interest you and the

January 12, 1942

Yesterday three planes flew overhead, but no bombing took place. We have not heard any shooting for many days. The Japanese are scouting in big

January 22, 1942

We went to Moroboro Springs and caves today. We had to pass the barrio of San Enrique, where the Japanese civilians are concentrated. These were

Wednesday, February 4, 1942

February 4, 1942

We went to Calinog to visit Coné’s patients, as I mentioned before that the Mission Hospital is now there and taken over by the Army.

March 12, 1942

Many things have taken place since I have begun writing. On February 4 we moved from Dueñas to Passi for Coné’s practice. Passi is 5

April 11, 1942

There was a flash report that Japanese transports have been sighted off of three points – Capiz, Dumangas (next town to Barotac) and Antique. After

Sunday April 12, 1942

April 12, 1942

We moved to Bingawan at 8:30 p.m., our baggage carried on 29 “carrosa’s” (a sled-like vehicle without wheels. It is dragged along the ground on

Tuesday, April 14, 1942

April 14, 1942

Dr. Porras came to visit and he told us that the invasion was expected that night or the following night.

Thursday, April 16, 1942

April 16, 1942

Coné came early in the morning, and while he was with us Dr. Bernas arrived very excited and agitated saying that the Japanese were in

Saturday, April 18, 1942

April 18, 1942

At 5:00 p.m. while we were eating we heard two shots and we all ran out to see where they came from. We always thought

May 18, 1942

We have been here for 1 month. This nipa hut we are staying in is very well concealed and off of any paths. It is

May 30, 1942

Today the truce is supposed to be signed and we are all so anxious and worried as to the outcome of it all. Coné and

June 4, 1942

It has been 7 days since the Army surrendered to the Japanese and Coné was one of them. Oper, the porter who carried Coné’s baggage

June 6, 1942

Yesterday we were very surprised to see Hector (Estrella’s son) and Monching (Melecia’s adopted son). Melecia had sent them into the mountains of Calinog looking

June 8, 1942

After resting a few days, Hector and Monching have returned to Barotac to notify our relatives that we have decided to return to Barotac and

June 10, 1942

This morning I received a letter from Josephine Porras (by messenger). They have returned to the city (Iloilo) and are all right. Margarita Lopez and

June 16-July 27, 1942

July 27, 1942

(Note: In the book this is under the heading June 16, 1942 but here it is dated July 27, 1942 as the entry describes a

August 4, 1942

Yesterday while writing to you, Maring (Melecia’s daughter) came upstairs from the garden and said there were some Japanese coming up the driveway. I looked

August 29, 1942

It will be three months tomorrow that Coné was taken prisoner and I am wondering how much longer he will be held. I suppose for

September 9, 1942

I haven’t written for several days and so many things are taking place. Col. Peralta and the soldiers that did not surrender are becoming very

September 10, 1942

The USAFFE is supposed to strike tonight or tomorrow night in Iloilo. Their main purpose is to release the prisoners. My God – I hope

September 11, 1942

This morning 3 Japanese planes bombed Dinglé, a town about 20 km from here. They also bombed other places where they thought the USAFFE soldiers

September 14, 1942

A few days have passed since I have written to you. We have been too excited, as there has been fighting all around us. The

September 17, 1942

It has been three days since I have written, and since then it has been quiet out our way, but we have heard that there

September 20, 1942

The last few days have been quiet up until this morning when the USAFFE ambushed two Japanese trucks loaded with soldiers. There was a fight

September 23, 1942

Although the USAFFE have been making significant gains, the Japanese are now striking out at them and are making an all-out offensive against the USAFFE

September 24, 1942

This morning we were awakened by the drone of planes. We hurriedly dressed and rushed to our hideout in the creek. The planes did not

September 25, 1942

We have decided to build an air raid shelter and have hired some men to start digging. So far, there have been no more planes

September 27, 1942

One sort of loses track of time and Sunday is just like any other day. There are no services in any of the churches; in