G06 Social Studies: How the Japanese Era Affected the Philippines (March 14, 2025)

 How the Japanese Era Affected the Philippines (March 14, 2025)

In late 1941, during World War II, the Empire of Japan invaded the Philippines. The invasion resulted in Filipinos bringing out the best and worst of their traits. Filipinos are known to be resourceful but also selfish, so these traits affected everyday life during the Japanese occupation. 

One good trait brought out was that Filipinos became resourceful. Amid the lack of coffee, for instance, Filipinos would roast rice and corn and add sweetening to create the deception. Additionally, to cope with the bad feelings of the war, entertainment became quite popular. For instance, the company Dramatic Philippines, Inc. created stage plays. Classic plays (including Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar) were translated into Tagalog. 

Selfishness was a bad trait revealed during the war. Some Filipinos would collaborate with the Japanese just to avoid punishment. Sari-sari stores and supermarkets were robbed. Cable wires were pulled. People would rather survive for their own good than die for their country. Some even robbed gold teeth and looted graves for shirts. 

However, not everyone was selfish. Jose P. Laurel collaborated with Japan just to lessen the pain for his country. In reality, he was not a Japanese puppet, but a nationalist infiltrator. Today, President Laurel is often misunderstood for his collaboration, which was a calculated and principled move rather than a betrayal to his country. Quezon actually ordered Laurel to cooperate. Another major infiltrator was Benigno S. Aquino, Sr., the father of Ninoy Aquino. He served as one of two Vice-Presidents during the Japanese era. When dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos developed a rivalry with Ninoy Aquino, he used the collaboration as an attack point; however, he cannot be blamed. 

In conclusion, the Japanese occupation brought out the best and worst in Filipinos. Some were selfless and supported their country. Others prioritized their personal ego. Good and bad traits were revealed by the occupation, and they largely continue to this day. 

My Reaction to the “Comfort Women”

(TRIGGER WARNING: VIDEO AND REACTION MIGHT HAVE SENSITIVE CONTENT)

Hey, I’m back! I haven’t been here in a long time, but at last, I have returned. Today, I’ll be reacting to this video about “comfort women,” women who were abused by the Japanese during World War II. The video was specifically about Filipino “comfort women”; however, “comfort women” also exist in China and the Koreas. You can watch the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S89fxI6TFuI , but viewer discretion is required due to some sensitive content. 

The first segment was about Lola Isang, a grandmother who was raped at just 13 during the war. (In Tagalog, lola means grandmother.) The story was very sad and showed the horrors of war. And the worst part? Justice has not been done. The lolas did receive consolation money, but it was from the Japanese people, not the government itself. To this day, the Japanese government evades justice, and justice will likely never be seen. 

The second segment was about a lawyer named Virginia who fights for these peoples’ rights. The maker of the video interviewed a lola who said she was still angry; however, the lola’s sister said she forgave the Japanese. 

What are my thoughts? The sister is wrong. The Japanese government continues to evade justice. They should only be forgiven should they admit they did it. Which will likely never happen. 

Today, the Japanese government looks like it has moved on. It has not. They refuse to admit the atrocities during the war. Their reparations have never been enough. To the Prime Minister: Repay your debts now or we will never forgive you. We will not stop until you stop pretending the Japanese never did it. To the Japanese people: please keep pressuring your government to repay their debts. Justice has not been served. Perhaps it will never be served. 

This story may have been dark. But it’s true. War is horrifying, and there is no glory in war. Justice must be served. Anyway, that’s it for now, but I’ll be making another one soon.