‘Never forget’: Philippine documentary rekindles memories of terror during World War II
A new documentary, "Children of the War," highlights the horrific experiences of Filipino children during the Battle of Manila in World War II, a period marked by immense civilian casualties at the hands of Japanese forces. The film features survivors like Fernando Vasquez-Prada, who recounts the trauma of being forced to learn the Japanese folk song "Sakura" while witnessing atrocities, forever associating the tune with the terror of the occupation.
The documentary's release coincides with a sensitive time, as it arrives when Manila prepares for the return of Japanese soldiers under the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement, now as military allies. The film aims to shed light on the often-overlooked suffering endured by Filipino civilians during the war, particularly the brutal actions of Rear Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi, who allegedly ordered his men to engage in widespread violence, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 100,000 civilians during the month-long siege of Manila in 1945.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
A new documentary, "Children of the War," highlights the horrific experiences of Filipino children during the Battle of Manila in World War II, a period marked by immense civilian casualties at the hands of Japanese forces. The film features survivors like Fernando Vasquez-Prada, who recounts the trauma of being forced to learn the Japanese folk song "Sakura" while witnessing atrocities, forever associating the tune with the terror of the occupation.
The documentary's release coincides with a sensitive time, as it arrives when Manila prepares for the return of Japanese soldiers under the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement, now as military allies. The film aims to shed light on the often-overlooked suffering endured by Filipino civilians during the war, particularly the brutal actions of Rear Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi, who allegedly ordered his men to engage in widespread violence, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 100,000 civilians during the month-long siege of Manila in 1945.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
