Philippine E-Journals

DEATH OF A CITY

Jose Resurreccion Calip

Discipline: History

 

Abstract:

LUZON ON THE SPOT

 

The sirens wailed in the morning of October 18, 1944, in Manila. The wailing rolled on the hills east of the city and died trailing faintly in the distance. On the whole it was a friendly and kind alarm. It was friendly because it announced to the Filipinos the return of America. It was kind because the America they know was life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We had waited for this for so long many dropped dead on the pavements—forgotten. And the weirdness that once rode on the siren no longer struck us with fear this time. The assurance of a better day was evident and palpable faith in America had come to a rebirth.