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THIRD PERSON'S POV
December 10, 1941. The Japanese made their first successful landings in Vigan and Aparri. Filipinos and American soldiers felt in despair after failing to defend the US Navy Yard in Cavite.
December 20, Imperial Japan made it to the country with her trusted general. She ordered to continue the bomb raid in Manila and Davao. Other enemy forces landed in Quezon.
Filipinos didn't like this. The heads of these Japanese conquerors seem to succeed. It was almost Christmas, but the citizens couldn't feel the spirit of Christmas at all.
Christmas Eve arrives, America stood in front of all the soldiers and said...
"Forgive me if I had failed you. The Japanese powers kept fighting while we kept losing more men. We tried... like... everything. We made so many strategies to make them stop... but we failed. Our ships and warplanes were destroyed from the first day. The US Navy Yard has been destroyed too. We lose naval support because of that. The enemy dominated both air and sea. But... I'm not gonna stop helping you gain true freedom and independence. We failed today, but we won't next time."
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PHILIPPINES' POV
It was Christmas of 1941...
But I'm sent again to Manila because of the continuation of the bomb raid by the Japanese.
Japanese soared here twice in the morning and dropped bombs that caused people's deaths.
Afternoon, they bombed the Pagsanjan-bound passenger train in Laguna, killing some of the passengers trying to escape. Some were wounded.
Nobody sang Christmas carols too... because the children should stay in the house. No joy and smiles on people's faces I could see... but cries and fears.
America didn't go back to his family too, because the safety of Manila was his responsibility.
If I were as brave as Mar- ah never mind. I can be BRAVER than him.
When I was back in the camp, somebody called me and handed me a letter in a white long envelope. "Thank you," I just said to the man.
I opened the letter and read it in my mind...
Dear Philip,
Anak. Miss ka na namin ng mama mo. It's Christmas too. We want to know if you're okay there... and if you mind going home to celebrate with us. We cooked your favorite foods. We have puto bumbong and bibingkas here. We also have pininyahan. Your mom cooked it so you would like it a lot.
Del said he wasn't able to go home because of the war in Davao. Even La Liga was worried about Hukbalahap and your brother. We wish for both of you's safety.
I have gifts for you and your brother here... and we want to tell you something when you go home.
We love you 'nak.
Ang Iyong Ama,
Katipunan
My tears fell after reading the letter. I... don't know if I can go back home and leave Manila. They were so worried for me. I want to be with my parents and kuya again. I haven't gone home for months.
But... I am sent here to be one of the soldiers to protect the city... then I will just leave?
Nahh. If Mart- ahh. Nevermind again.
I got a piece of paper and a pen from my drawer and began writing a reply...
Dear papa and mama,
Pa, I'm sorry if I am not able to go home too. Manila is in big trouble now... and the Filipinos here weren't able to celebrate the holiday...
I stopped when I remembered something I just read from my father's letter...
What are they going to tell me? What was that about?
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The Next Week
Dear anak,
Okay 'nak. Be safe there. We will pray for your safety. Come home soon, okay?
We miss you, Philip.
Your Father,
Katipunan
That is his reply.
I missed you too, pa... I missed you too, ma... I miss you too, kuya... Soon, we'll be together again. I said to myself.
Then, back to the problem.
I went back to the camp and went with America. He said he was about to announce something to the whole of Manila.
USAFFE's Voice of Freedom articulated over the radio and said...
"MANILA IS NOW AN OPEN CITY. NO JAPANESE SHOOTING. I REPEAT, MANILA IS NOW AN OPEN CITY..."
"Uhm, America?" I called him.
"Yes, Phil?"
"Is there... a chance to free my people from the Japanese? They haven't celebrated Christmas... They lost so many lives from their loved ones."
America sighed and turned his head to me. He put his hands in his pocket too. "Philip, I'll give your people my solemn pledge that their freedom will be redeemed and their independence established and protected," he answered me in a low voice.
I just nodded my head. What a big guy with big words, by the way.
After minutes, we heard the people screaming from the outside. A soldier came to us and said, "Sir, the Japanese are here with Imperial Japan. They're walking in the Manila again..."
We walked out and the soldiers lined in front of us, blocking Imperial Japan's way. Our soldiers were pointed to her and her soldiers.
"AYAW NA NAMIN NG LABAN..." [WE DON'T WANT FIGHT ANYMORE...]
"NO SHOOTING..."
... said the begging people behind us.
America stepped forward and went nearer to the Japanese Empire. I lined up with the soldiers too and pointed my gun at that woman.
The clouds were thick. The cool wind just passed and silence surrounds us.
I breathed slowly and prepared myself to listen
"Imperial Japan," said America, "we don't want war anymore. Please. This city is now an Open City. We don't want any shooting now. All you did was enough to destroy the city. You were also kil-"
Japanese Empire laughed like... something was funny with what America said. "Do you think that's how easy for you to stop me from KILLING people here? By just... asking me to stop?"
"Japanese Empire, please."
I heard her silently chuckle.
"I want to stop, America... but not today... I WON'T STOP UNTIL I HAVEN'T MADE THIS COUNTRY FALL." Her cracking voice of pride and greed echoed in my ears.
YOU ARE READING
Unknown Connections from the Past | AU Countryhumans Fanfiction
FanficUNKNOWN CONNECTIONS FROM THE PAST ☆☆•☆☆ After being a victim of the Spaniards' occupation of their land, Philip experienced trauma and Martial Law appeared in his head as a personality. He kept that as a secret to his parents and friends and he's no...
