Louise Fillmore Blancaflor

An American married a Filipino doctor, Cornel Blancaflor.

March 7, 1943

Yesterday we received another note from Coné. He said he was recovering from his awful trip. He still has not gained weight, and must be

April 1, 1943

Many things have taken place since I have last written. On March 7, 1943 Coné sent two men (one of them a Philippine Army G-2,

April 7, 1943

I have been resting in bed for several weeks to regain some of my lost weight. I have gained eight pounds and am feeling fine.

April 11-27, 1943

April 27, 1943

We were awakened by the sound of machine guns last night coming from several places. Meñing (Dr. Bernas) said it was best for us to

October 21, 1943

Six months have elapsed since I have written and many events have taken place. On May 15, I went to St. Paul’s hospital for a

March 9, 1944

Five months have gone by since I last wrote, and so many things have taken place – too numerous for me to remember. On June

March 15, 1944

Things have quieted down again and we are living a normal life in the city, with the exception of the high prices. Every once in

March 20, 1944

The prices of commodities are soaring every day. Rice is now 300 Pesos a sack. Before the war it cost 6 Pesos. Pork is 6

April 1, 1944

There has been no shooting from the guerrillas in Jaro for the past several weeks, but in La Paz every other night there is some

April 15, 1944

The Japanese are now making air raid shelters and fox holes in the event of an air raid. The Filipino mayor of Iloilo City gave

May 24, 1944

Today we had our first air raid warning from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and in the afternoon from 4:00 to 5:00. Tonight we shall

May 26, 1944

May 24, 1944

We just had another air raid warning and it has just been lifted. From where I am sitting on the balcony I can see the

May 30, 1944

I haven’t been giving you a daily account of all our activities for they are much the same as usual, with the exception of the

June 15, 1944

There has been trouble in Barotac Nuevo. On June 13 was the town fiesta in Barotac and many people had gathered to celebrate. The guerrillas

June 19, 1944

As we near the fourth of July my thoughts turn toward you, Mother dear, and hope that next year there will be “peace on earth

June 22, 1944

There is always trouble outside and the guerillas harass the Japanese most of the time. Not only are the guerrillas active, but so are the

June 30, 1944

Today Dorothy and I went to Iloilo (what’s left of it). I bought two pairs of nylon stockings at 35 Pesos a pair. Dorothy bought

July 5, 1944

Yesterday Susie spent the day with us. We had a good spread of chicken and pork adobo chop suey, ham (homemade), rice and pickles. For

July 10, 1944

The prices are soaring higher each day – rice is now one thousand Pesos a sack and so is red rice. Pork is 30 Pesos

July 14, 1944

This morning a tenant girl from the farm arrived, very frightened, as she and 25 other companions had encountered fighting along the way. The Japanese

July 16, 1944

Mr. Pueyo and several other Spaniards and Filipinos were caught with short wave radios (was prohibited by the Japanese). They were confined to prison for

July 20, 1944

We now know that the Americans are not far from the Islands, as the Japanese Bulletin Board had posted news of landings of American troops

July 24, 1944

The guerrillas are no longer called “guerrillas”. They want to be known as “Indians”. Last night some of them entered Jaro. At about 3:00 a.m.

July 26, 1944

We heard over the Manila radio that Gen. Lim was executed. He was in charge of the Philippine Army before the war. Fortunately, his family

July 29, 1944

I am thinking of sending our most valuable things to San Jose College for safekeeping. Many civilians are living there now. Susie Gurrea is one

July 30, 1944

Yesterday morning Dorothy and I went to Iloilo. We were able to get a carabao cart for transportation, and when we were halfway to the

August 1, 1944

While in Iloilo yesterday, we visited Mrs. Ledesma. She told us that she had received a letter from Mrs. Allen’s sister (now living in Manila),

August 3, 1944

Most of the Japanese who occupied the school across from our house have been sent to another island (Cebu), and the school is now completely

August 8, 1944

The prices are soaring and medicine is out of the question. Many poor people are dying as they cannot pay the price. The hospitals are

August 12, 1944

Two days ago it was posted on the Japanese Bulletin Board that Davao (in Mindanao – south of here) was bombed on late Sunday afternoon