March 4—5, 1942

At Buenos Aires.

March 5, 1942

HQ, MIS, Bataan

Brought Sgt. Sinculan with me during my visit. Sinculan’s ankle was badly hit. He is also on furlough. He was given three weeks but he said that two weeks would be enough.

Sinculan talked with the other Pampangueña while I talked with her. She told me that my sergeant had visited the other girl four times already. I told her that Sinculan had kept it a secret.

We sat on the grass again under the cenniguela tree. I told her that the cenniguela tree reminded me of home because in our garden there was a big cenniguela tree outside my mother’s window.

She was wearing the same short shorts and the same ‘bakia’. She explained that most of her clothes were left in Dinalupihan and that the shorts she was wearing belonger to her younger brother.

We ate the last can of jelly and she was very happy. She stated that even before the war she liked jelly so that the jelly I gave her was a real treat.

She asked me when the convoy would arrive and what were our chances of pushing the Japs back if the convoy never does arrive.

She said she felt helpless seeing all these Jap planes flying at will over our lines, bombing and strafing whenever they felt like.

I asked her why she was so anxious to have the war over. I said: “When all this is over I will no longer see you, maybe.”

She started to laugh. She embraced her knees with her hands and then stretched out in the grass again.

She told me to lie down too and watch the clouds floating in the skies. She said that some clouds looked like Santa Claus.

I laid down beside her and I felt like kissing her but I did not have the nerve although I was very tempted lying down there in the grass in the sunset.

Then for the first time I told her that I thought she was beautiful and that she was the best medicine to a war weary soldier trying to recover from a bullet wound.

“Is that all?” she asked and she turned her face towards me.

“Yes,” I said, “that is all I can say.” And that was the truth.

She sat up and she placed her face between her knees. I liked the whiteness of her legs and the smoothness of her complexion.

I told her as she sat beside me whilst I lay on the grass, as I watched her against the background of a darkening sky that she was the type of girl that makes men forget themselves and lose their hearts.

She suddenly talked of my dirty clothes and asked when I was going to have my uniform washed.

It was better that she changed the subject.

March 5, 1942

HQ, MIS, Bataan

Shared the guava jelly with her. We ate under a “cenniguela” tree. Told her story of the patrol activity and skirmish with Japs.

Two American soldiers visited a girl in the shack across the stream. We could hear them talking in broken Tagalog. She does not like Americans. “They think all girls are easy,” she said.

During my visit, Japs also visited from above. They dropped bombs near the HPD motor pool. She is a brave girl because she did not run for shelter. I felt like going inside the dug-out but I had to stay out myself. The American soldiers ran to the dug-out. I noticed one was limping and shell-shocked. Maybe he has had a bad experience. She laughed and said: “Look at him run.” She does not like Americans.

We sat on the grass till it was dark. She talked to me about her boy friend from San Beda who went to America to study engineering.

I told her I had no girl friend ever in my life. I lied.

She said she knew I was not telling the truth. “You are not the type not to have a girl friend,” she said.

When it was getting dark she laid on the grass because she said she wanted to stretch herself.

She was beautiful lying there on the grass with her short pants and her bare knees and feet. Her feet were well-formed, nicely arched and rosy around the heels.

I sat beside her and she asked me if I knew how to sing popular songs and I said I did not.

I told her to use my thigh as a pillow. “The blood will go to your head and you will be dizzy,” I explained.

She said thank you and she rested her head on my thigh. She looked nicer when she was closer to me and I could feel the warmth of her neck. My heart started to beat fast, I don’t know why.

She remarked: “I have met you only two times and yet I feel that I have me you a long time ago.”

I asked her if she did not mind the fact that the pants of my uniform were very dirty and covered with dust.

She said she did not and she offered to wash my clothes for me. “Just send them over or better bring them. Anyway I have nothing to do,” she stated.

I told her I would visit her again tomorrow as I was on leave for a week. Then she suddenly lifted her head and said: “Don’t tell me I’ve been resting my head on your wounded thigh.”

I said it was on the other side and that even if it was on the injury I would not mind.

She said that I did not mean what I was saying and she smiled.

I like the way she smiles. I also like her legs.

March 5, 1942

“WILL DROP MAIL TO P.I. SOLDIERS” that is the Tribune’s headline this sunny Thursday morning. Says the announcement: “The Japanese Army will deliver the letters of relatives, sweethearts and friends to the Filipino soldiers in Bataan.” “Messages should he dropped.” continues the notice. “before 10 o’clock tomorrow morning in special boxes at the Heacock’s building.”

Why was this written in a newspaper? It should he included in the Philippine Library’s collection of fairy tales. A friend thinks it should be placed in a joke book.

Now that I am on the subject of jokes, here’s another. Three tramps were sitting on a bench in a park in Tokyo. One opened a newspaper and then said “Uh huh.” The other opened a magazine and then said “Uh huh.’’ The third stood nervously and after making sure no one else would overhear him remarked: “If you two fellows are going to discuss politics. I’ll leave you immediately.’’

I do not like those kind of jokes. I like colored jokes. Green ones.

March 4, 1942

HQ, MIS, Bataan

 

Back from patrol. Reconnoitered in Balanga. Met  several Jap patrols. Japs not there in force.

We were very careful. Kept away from beach. Balanga church was destroyed by our artillery. Did not enter church. There might have been Japs inside.

General refuses to believe there are no Japs in Balanga. I told him there are only Jap patrols, nothing more. He shook his head. Felt like telling him: “If you don’t believe me, why the hell don’t you go there yourself.”

Encountered a squad of Japs who were lying near a nipa shack when we were returning to our lines. It was late afternoon and we had not yet eaten the whole day and we were going to eat in the nipa shack.

Sgt. Sinculan noticed that they were aiming at us. We fired first. They had rifles only. We had a Browning automatic. We were better armed but they outnumbered us.

I emplaced my men behind a fallen log with a thick trunk. I could hear the officer shouting loudly and the soldiers were also shouting. We remained silent.

Suddenly, they all shouted and advanced. Told men not to fire until they passed the other fallen tree before the log where we were emplaced. When they climbed over it, Sgt. Sinculan opened up with the Browning. Two fell. The others kept firing. Meanwhile six crept to our flank. I noticed it and I moved three men to our left. Sgt. Sinculan said that we had better retreat because they were more than thirty and we were only ten. Besides one of our privates was being attacked by malaria, making our effectives only nine.

I told the men to retreat slowly to the cogon but I shouted loudly to mislead the Japs “Attack men!” and everybody shouted with me and we fired and retreated. Then I felt something warm pierce my thigh but I did not feel much pain. Sinculan and I were wounded.

When we retreated, the Japs left us alone. Thought I would be nervous face-t0-face with Japs but now I know one has no time to be nervous during combat.

Will write about this patrol work someday.

 

(later)

 

Major Javallera opined the Japs will probably put their main effort on the western sector. He also could not believe that there were hardly any Japs in Balanga. “Japs are probably up to something,” he opined.

“Are you sure of what you are reporting?” he asked again.

“We walked through the plaza and the school house and then near the broken bridge and we entered the town and there were no Japs in force, only occasional patrols,” I said emphatically.

He said “You can have a week’s rest, even if your wound is very small.” He gave me three cans of guava jelly, hooray. He is quite a good guy.

Will visit my Pampangueña friend. Fred and Leonie were not allowed to go out during last few days because there was too much work.

The general said I am careless that is why I was hit. He always scolds me, but I know he likes me inside.

All in all, he is also O.K.

March 4, 1942

Must remember to order the conversion of corn into corn-rice to substitute for rice to be given to the Bureau of Prisons.

Must look for dependable men to fill in the new positions to be created as per plan to expand the NARIC.

Worried, worried, worried. Domei reports a heavy raid on Bataan by 100 war planes. My blood is somewhere in those hills. Has it been spilled?

The purest blood is that shed for the country’s honor.

March 3, 1942 — Tuesday

The President sent for the District Engineer and asked to study with him the building of an air-raid shelter. We discussed and looked at various spots. Finally we agreed on a place near the kitchen, taking into account the element of time to transfer and the accessibility, in view of the President’s physical condition and inability to walk and climb.

March 3, 1942

The NARIC will be reorganized to conform with the plans of the Army, Col. T. Uzaki, head of the Army food division, revealed this morning. The Colonel said: “Thus far the NARIC has handled only 5% of the harvest. To increase the volume of control, the NARIC’s organization must be expanded.”

(At present, the NARIC is allowed to purchase palay and rice in Bulacan only.)

“It might be necessary to make loans in cooperation with provincial departments,” the colonel pointed out. “If necessary,” he added, “we might have to form provincial cooperatives.”

Before leaving, he ordered the safes opened to draw ₱20,000 for provincial purchases.

Pagulayan was taken to Fort Santiago last night. He was arrested in his house. His desk, drawers, wardrobe—every nook and corner of his house were searched, ransacked.

What is the accusation against him? I asked Mr. Nakashima. He shook his head, muttered “Dunno.” He was afraid to talk.

I will miss Pagu in the office. He has been with me ever since I entered the Government. He knows me and I know him. We team well.

Lolita will be very sad when she hears about Pagu.

Will switch off the radio. I can’t stand swing music when my heart is heavy.

It’s a helluva life …

March 2, 1942 — Monday

I attended to the trip of Manolin, Delgado and Abad Santos with Sergeant Villahermosa. I ordered Manolin to go to Dumaguete to ask Captain Macon U.S. Army for a truck to take our baggage to Bacolod. Fortunately, the car of Governor Lizares which the President used on this trip was returning home and Manolin, Delgado and Abad Santos were able to ride in it. They left after the luncheon.

The President and his family with Colonel Nieto and myself, Chaplain Ortiz, and Lieutenant Salazar left Bais Sugar Central at 5 p.m. for Negros Occidental. We had dinner on the mountain road (sandwiches). We met Colonel Hilsman and Captain Mason on the road and they accompanied us. We arrived at Buenos Aires, summer home of the late Don Jorge Araneta, at about 11 p.m. A nice place. The President and family occupy the second floor. We are lodged in the ground floor where there are 5 small rooms. I selected a small room for myself. It is very nice.

March 2, 1942

The Dutch are in dutch. Japanese forces have landed in the northern part of Java.

Provincial purchases continue despite multitudinous difficulties. Our stocks are fast depleting. Consumption is greater than production. Moreover Japanese troops and civilians have to be fed. Importation is problematic, uncertain. If we want to avoid hunger, we must not look beyond the seas. We must till the brown earth beneath our feet. He is our best friend.

Somebody is knocking at the door. Must stop writing. Could it be…?

March 1, 1942 — Sunday

Attended and served at 7 o’clock mass said by Chaplain Ortiz. Afterwards I went to the Central where I met Mr. DeMedem. He asked me to go his house. I went to Mr. Revenga’s house where Mr. & Mrs. DeMedem are staying. From there I went to Mr. Miguel Rosales’s house. He invited me to luncheon. The President and his family had gone to a nearby Hacienda to have luncheon with Governor Villanueva.

At 5 p.m. I went to the dock of the Central where the SS Princess of Negros was. I brought down all my baggage. I also instructed Manolin and Lieutenant Delgado to disembark with all their baggage and come with me to the Central. I obtained the authority of the President to assign them in Iloilo. Mr. Barata, the Assistant Manager very kindly accommodated them in the bachelor quarters. They had dinner at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Royo. After dinner I had a long walk with Mr. Barata. We went to the bachelors quarters to see how my officers were installed. Retired at 10:30 p.m. President is worried about the shelling of Cebu by a Japanese cruiser.

March 1, 1942

More men brought to Fort Santiago. Tanco was called this morning. Capati and Oliveros, this afternoon. Pagulayan and I will probably be next. I have a premonition they will call me one of these days. Must prepare my wife. Everybody in the office is nervous, panic-stricken. Conversations are carried on in whispers. I appealed in behalf of the man. Was bluntly, contumeliously told that sympathizers would also be imprisoned. No questions can be asked. The military does not give explanations.

I long for the sweet air of freedom.

March 1, 1942

Bataan, MIS, HQ

Col. Torralba said the general stated that my resignation is not accepted and that I’d better attend to his papers more diligently.

Raids morning and afternoon. One incendiary bomb dropped a few feet away from the doctor’s tent. Nobody injured.

Sergeant Buenaventura and Sergeant Sulao quarreled with each other. I thought they were good friends. I guess friendship ends where a can of Carnation begins.

The doctor wants to shoot Major Javallera. He claims the major spoke ill about him before Lts. Palo and Maceda.

The boys are rather gloomy. Tired of waiting for the convoy. I still have hopes but everybody’s nerves are jumpy.

Will go on patrol duty in front tomorrow. Will find out if there are Japs in Balanga. Conflicting reports.

Went to evacuee camp near Hospital II with Major Javallera. The major wanted to introduce me to two nice girls. Only one was there and she was very shapely. Made me feel like whistling. Surely a sight for sore eyes. She was wearing khaki shorts, woo, woo.

We sat in their nipa shack on the floor. She showed me some of her pictures. She is from Pampanga. Pampangueñas have nice skin.

We played an old record in an old phonograph. I think the name of the piece was “On the telephone” or “All alone”.

She had a nice accent when speaking Tagalog. I told her how to teaxh me to say “I think you are beautiful” in Pampango.

I also asked her to translate: “Will you please hold hands with a tired soldier.”

She asked me to button the back of her shirt. The Major saw me and he said jokingly “Mabilis ka naman”. I was embarrassed but she was more embarrassed. I tried to explain that she asked me to button the back of her shirt because she could not reach it. But the major insisted on joking. Then he said: “Never mind, enjoy yourself. Anyway tomorrow you are going to No Man’s Land.”

When she heard this she became nicer to me but I lost all my interest because I was worried about tomorrow’s assignment.

Fred and Leonie will visit her tomorrow.

Will talk to men that will go to front with me. I am happy that Sgt. Sinculan will go too because he is a sharp shooter.

Javallera told me not to worry because my mission is reconnaissance, not combat. I told him “Who’s worried anyway?”

Told Leonie and Fred that the Pampangueña is very beautiful, like Dorothy Lamour. They can’t wait for tomorrow. I said her shorts were very short. Fred started to yell. Leonie said: “Shut up, this is not the U.P. campus.” Fred got sore. “I’m the ranking officer around here.” We all kept quiet. He was angry.

Forgot to ask the Pampangueña her name.

February 28, 1942 — Saturday

Arrived Bais Sugar Central at 2:15 a.m. We found that the big house of the manager was being occupied by various families and the poor people had to get up at that hour to pack their things and move out so that we could occupy the house. I felt very much ashamed and I tried my best to apologize. It broke my heart to see a little girl 6 years old get up from her bed and start collecting all her dolls and toys. Mass was said at that time, and then we went to bed. I awoke at 9 a.m. Attended to some work and visited the Central. Went to Dumaguete in afternoon. Saw Tapale.

February 28, 1942

Rumors (are) that more NARIC employees will be taken to Fort Santiago. Most of my men are demoralized. The efficiency of the service is impaired. Nervous tension in the office prevails.

Unson has not yet been released. Charges against him have not been specified. He was just arrested and detained. Nobody knows how long he will be imprisoned. Who will be next?

Heard a heart-lifting broadcast over the Voice of Freedom: “Be of good cheer. Sleep tight through the night of defeat. Gather strength for the morning and we’ll be there sooner than you think.”

Now we grope through the night. For how long, only the Lord knows. We must carry on. Somewhere ahead is the morning.

How many of us will live to see it?

February 28, 1942

Bataan, HQ, MIS

Non-stop bombing. Spent day going in and out of dug-out. If they bomb some more, I will not go to dug-out anymore.

Hungry. A handful of lugao is not enough. We are fed like chickens and we live like rats –underground.

Quarreled with Fred over the use of my towel. Silly thing. Guess we are all somewhat nervous. Nerves all on edge.

Mass will be said in our CP tomorrow morning. It’s about time. What we can’t get with guns, we might have through prayers. I will pray for cheese.

Intense fighting in eastern front. Jap thrusts in Capinpin’s sector stopped.

Checked up instructions to operations going to Nueva Ecija and Lingayen.

Bawled out by General. He claims I didn’t keep all his papers in order. “What kind of an aide are you?” he asked.

Wrote him letter of resignation. Asked for assignment to front. Fred tried to stop me. So did Leonie. They are good friends. I don’t give a damn what the general does about my resignation. He makes me sick.

Finished the rest of brandy with Fred and Leonie. Fred started talking of old days with coeds in U.P. He revealed a lot of ‘green’ incidents in U.P. campus. Nothing like co-education. Leonie started singing “We are in the Army Now.” Drinking orgy stopped by arrival of some civilians for questioning, heck.

I’ve finished questioning the fellow given to me. Leonie is still in the dug-out questioning the old man who was wearing a red shirt. He is typing with a candle on one hand. Wottalife!

(later)

Henceforth, supper will be called the “salmon-hour”, according to Lt. Tatco, mess officer. To hell with Salmon!

February 27, 1942 — Friday

Left Mr. Enrique Montilla’s house at Isabela at 10 a.m. for San Carlos, Oriental Negros. Arrived at Panubigan at 12 noon, where luncheon had been prepared in the rest house. Colonel Hilsman, Captain Mason and Captain Jones were waiting for us. Left Panubigan at 1:15 p.m. Arrived at the house of Juanito Ledesma at The Hacienda Fortuna at 2:20 p.m. No one was in the house except a lady cousin.

The President and his family stayed to rest and I drove to San Carlos to look for General Villanueva as the President wanted to confer with him. On the road, I met Nieto and Soriano and I asked them to come with me. We found him with the Provincial Treasurer. Then we went to the Hacienda San Jose of the Tabacalera where I met the manager Mr. Miguel Aguirre and the Assistant Manager Mr. Buenaventura Duran. They agreed to prepare dinner for the party. Returned to The Hacienda Fortuna. Saw the race horses of Mr. Ledesma. While there the President changed all plans. Instead of taking the boat at San Carlos and proceeding to Cebu via Toledo, he decided to let Vice President Osmeña, the Chief Justice and the rest of the party proceed, while he and his family with Nieto, Salazar and I go to Bais Sugar Central at Tanjay. After dinner we left for Bais.

February 27, 1942

Busy all day with reports on the progress of rice purchases in the provinces.

February 27, 1942

Corregidor

Went to one of the coast batteries. Men were cleaning their guns. The officer in charge said the Japs would not try a frontal attack on the Rock. He also said that Corregidor could stand a six-month siege, as long as the water-tank is not destroyed.

Our conversation was interrupted by an air-raid.

Jap convoy in Subic Bay was bombed by 2 of our P-40’s. Hooray!

Corregidor

(later)

Drank half a bottle of brandy. Will bring other half to Bataan for Leonie and Fred. It’s no good drinking alone. Misery and drinking loves company.

Saw Vic. He said he had a tiff with an American officer. Some of them have race-prejudice, hell.

February 26, 1942 — Thursday

Spent morning and afternoon in the same place. At 5 p.m. we left for Isabela where we arrived at about 7 p.m. We were met by Mrs. Jesusa Lacson vda. de Arroyo, and Mr. & Mrs. Enrique Montilla, in whose house we were lodged. Major Soriano, Colonel Nieto and myself were given a comfortable room downstairs near the swimming pool. The President invited Colonel Hilsman & Captain Mason for dinner.