The Battle of Manila: A Reflection

The Battle of Manila

Reflection

    Disbelief, One of the many words one can utter after watching the film. I was greatly moved by the situations and events that I witnessed from the film. With all the struggles it has shown, death, killings, battle, and so many events that one couldn't even imagine that have happened.

The Manila City Hall

    Young Filipinos today may never expect about how the Filipinos suffered at that time, and I was one of them. I have heard about it for so many times, and here I am, some were remembered while many were taken for granted. Most of the youth today might have heard the war tales that our grandfathers have told us, and we can never deny the fact that, were not even bothered to listen all those. Everyone is aware that there is World War II, Japanese Invasion, Pearl Harbor, MacArthur and so many words that has been a common expression in the society, we have heard it, from our parents, grandparents, neighbors, school and from street talks. That those battles are devastating and terrifying.

    I have my personal imagery of a battle or war, it is an event having soldiers, bombs, aircraft’s, evacuation, people were shot, and there are victims. This idea alone are enough to make me wish that it would never happen again. But after watching the film, and from the real footage's that the film had shown, my disposition has changed about the battles against the Japanese invaders. And that actually, there are no words that could ever describe the sufferings that our fellow Filipinos had experienced during those times.

    It's very disheartening to accept the fact that our country doesn't have the power to fight against stronger nation such as Japan, and these nations have taken this as an advantage to invade our newly bloomed nation. We were like a child learning to make our first step and we need the guidance and support of a powerful old one or the parent himself, but they didn't give it to us, but rather, we were spoiled. And who could ever make it if at the beginning we were not given the chance to do it. Japan ruined our country so as with the previous colonizers. They took advantage on our weakness and suppressed us from the opportunity to learn how to stand by our own feet.

    The film, could definitely realize and concertized our impressions about those wars and could even make us furiously rage. Personally, I couldn't even look at the video straightly because I couldn't even imagine how our forefathers and those Filipinos were in pained. I am a Filipino and I couldn't take into my senses the distractions, damage and the most worst the pain that they brought and caused to every Filipinos.

The War Aftermath

    Somehow, on the other side of the story, the film had shown the kindness of the Americans. From that moment, the words MacArthur and “ I shall return” were not just words I heard from the streets and teachers nor the the letters written on the book, but are historic words that were given life. And in fact, played a great role in our history. Honestly, I wouldn't say that its enough for me to pay tribute to the Americans. But one things is certain, they had a very significant role for the redemption of our freedom.

    But, somehow all these sufferings and pain, death and victory, allies and enemies, damaged and scars left in the hearts of the victims were written in history and it may never be forgotten but, there's always a time to move on. Those dark past of our beloved country, and the havoc it caused to our land. Must be filled with love and liberalism amidst every heart of everyone. Filipinos must not let themselves buried with anger and fierce. Because, today the light of hope had risen, and we now all have the opportunity to make our selves better and for our country to progress and prosper.