I just received this great review today. This book is an interesting introduction into the customs and everyday life of Filipinos both before and during WWII. Using the Filipino language along with English in greetings, small talk and foods adds to the authenticity of their life. Explaining many of the customs also adds to the … More Great review of “The Zigzag Road”
Jose Rizal is the Philippines’ National Hero. He was born on June 19, 1861, to Francisco Rizal Mercado y Alejandro and Teodora Alonso Realonda y Quintos in Calamba, Laguna. He had nine sisters and one brother. His parents were leaseholders of a hacienda and an accompanying rice farm held by the Dominicans. Rizal was an … More Jose Rizal Executed on Dec. 30, 1896
To commemorate the 78th anniversary of the end of WWII on Aug. 15, 1945, I’m publishing my book, “The Zigzag Road” the same day. Weaving historical events from the time of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the “Second Pearl Harbor” in the Philippines, “The Zigzag Road” chronicles my father’s journey on foot from Baguio … More Book Launch – “The Zigzag Road”
Originally posted on Pacific Paratrooper:
Morotai, Dutch East Indies, Australian Gen. Sir Thomas Blamey accepts Japanese surrender. Everyone has read about the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri, but the Pacific War was far larger and spread out more than the European side. The demands of the surrender were formidable. So many different ceremonies took…
On my recent trip to the Philippines, I paid my respects to members of the armed forces buried in the American National Cemetery in Manila. It was a moving and humbling experience. The American National Cemetery and Memorial are located in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, just outside Manila proper, within the boundaries of the former … More A Visit to the American National Cemetery in Manila
Easter Sunday marked the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and the purple cloth of mourning was removed from religious images. Church bells pealed, and alleluias were sung. The salubong (meeting) took place. The Easter celebration in the Philippines started at dawn, around five o’clock, with a procession heralding the resurrection of Christ and his … More Happy Easter, Everyone!
On December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal was executed by firing squad on grounds of treason by the Spaniards, which ignited the fire for the Philippine revolution against the Spanish Regime. He wrote this poem before his execution. Spanish English “Mi último adiós”original version by José Rizal Adiós, Patria adorada, región del sol querida,Perla del mar … More My Last Farewell by Jose Rizal
On August 28, 1896, when the revolution against Spain broke out, Cavite became a bloody theater of war. Emilio Aguinaldo led the Caviteños on lightning raids on Spanish headquarters and soon liberated the entire province through the Battle of Alapan. The rivalry between Emilio Aguinaldo and Andres Bonifacio became intense after a split in revolutionary … More Cavite Province and Its History – Conclusion
The Philippine Revolution started in 1896 when a small, flamboyant general, Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964) of Kawit, came to prominence as he led the Katipuneros in taking Kawit, Binakayan, and several other settlements. His success made Cavite the focal point of the revolution. Shortly before the Katipunan was uncovered, Emilio Aguinaldo planned to attack the Spanish … More Cavite Province and Its History – Part IV
Originally posted on Pacific Paratrooper:
Jump on Aparri As the ground races up to meet the troopers, they see the tall, thick fields of the sharp kunai grass, flooded rice paddies, carabao ruts and bomb craters – all would prove dangerous. The Task Force would lose 7%, two men killed and 70 wounded as they…
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