In December of 1941, the Philippines and its people, while in the process of seeking 
political independence from the United States, was dragged into a war with Japan.
A war clearly not of its own making.  Masked behind each material used to illustrate
this exhibit are the severe realities of war:  Filipinos were forced to bow their heads
to the new lords of the land, made to endure pain and forced to bear witness
to the senseless killings of relatives and friends. 

But perhaps the biggest tragedy that befell on the Filipinos
is that for more than three long years they were a forgotten people.
Alone, they resisted the new rulers with dignity and pride. 
However, at the same time, the Filipinos were faced with the reality
that in order to survive, it must also learn to live side by side
with the new colonizers. In brief, this is what this exhibit is all about. 


Censorship of outbound and incoming mail.


The collaboration of some of its citizenry.
The geopolitical changes the Japanese made.
The resumption of postal services.
Resistance to the occupation by guerrilla forces.


Censorship on all mail matters was imposed throughout the Philippines.


The Prisoners of War, both military and civilian, detailed through prisoner of war mail, 
with emphasis on the arduous route it took to reach the Philippines.


The landing of American troops in Leyte and culminating with the liberation of Manila 
and the entire Philippines from Japanese rule. Japan’s military power finally ended 
when it signed theUnconditional Surrender Documents 
on board the USS Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.


This Collection: 33 Pages  -  98 Images

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