Reflective Journal KWL
The Battle of Manila 1945: The Forgotten Atrocities
KNOW WANT TO KNOW
(Recall) (React)
The Japanese occupation and atrocities are one The behavior and the mindset of the Japanese
of the most horrifying and gruesome events men during those times caught my attention;
that happened in Philippine history. It is I couldn't discern what is going on inside
brutal, disturbing, and traumatizing for their minds. It’s hard to decipher why such
Filipinos during those times, not just for men would do that to the Filipinos back then;
women and children, but also for men. The it was beyond an animalistic act. I have been
Japanese men are taking advantage of women, aware of these atrocities since I was a grade
coercing them to go with them to have school student, and ever since then, I’ve
intercourse. They would give severe never forgotten how traumatizing and
punishments even for small crimes and worse disturbing this event was even though I didn't
for grievous crimes. Among the other personally experience the violence. Aside
atrocities of the Japanese were bombings, from that, I am very much concerned with
burning houses, abusing children, beheading the intentions of the Japanese soldiers during
people who they thought were guerillas, rape those times. What was their purpose in
and etc. Concerning that, the Bataan death committing such crimes to innocent people?
march is also an unforgettable event for Were they only following command to that?
75,000 Filipino and American soldiers were Or they are just really evil. And lastly, the
conquered, harassed, and forced to march for fact that the Japanese never really apologized
six days without food, water, and even rest. for what they did to the Filipinos back then.
LEARNED
(Apply)
As a Filipino, it is important for us to
strengthen our military defenses and power
as a nation. It is necessary for us to be able to
defend ourselves and not to let other
countries to colonize us again. Looking back
at our history, we have been patriotic yet
weak; we do not have enough strength to
fight for our country which is why it is easy
for the colonizers to take advantage of us,
and one of them is the Japanese men. Filipino
back then were dragged into filth and forced
not to speak nor fight for their rights, just like
what is happening right now in the regime of
President Duterte and in the hands of the
Chinese people who show interest and threat
in our country's safety. This time, with the
knowledge that we have about our past, we
should know our rights not just as a person,
but as a Filipino citizen.