P a g e
3
RELICS OF WORLD WAR TWO
LITERATURE REVIEWS
BOOK REVIIEW “Living with the Enemy” by Pacita Jacinto
If the Dutch has “The Diary of Anne Frank” as a World War 2 published literature, the Filipinos has Pacita-PestanoJacinto’s book: “Living with the Enemy: A Diary of the Japanese Occupation”.
In the European areas, the main invaders, as you would call them, are the German and Italian forces. But for Asia, the
Japanese dominated. And this book provides a thorough account on the experiences of Filipinos during the time. Whether be it
rich or poor. In reading this book, you cannot help but feel what they feel.
Pacita was lucky to belong in a well-off family of doctors. The Japanese respect the doctors for they tend to the wounded.
However, this “protection” did not blind Pacita. She knew perfectly well that anytime, the Japanese army could erase her and her
family. They were often despised and judged by fellow Filipinos of being a traitor for “rubbing the Japanese’s backs” or “kissing
the invaders foot”.
But as we read through the book and talked about it, we all agreed that those who collaborated with the Japanese cannot be really judged as traitors. They have their reasons for doing so and usually it is to protect their own families. They too have
suffered in the war.
Meanwhile those who were in lower parts of the society
had experienced hell. They would not mind the planes flying by carrying bombs that could be dropped anytime, as they try to knock on
houses to ask for food. Ignoring the threat of bombs they tried to
stifle the pain in their stomachs that eats away their consciousness.
As we read through the book, we could not help
feeling down and somehow frightened. The accounts were too accurate. Especially the killings.
But somehow, we were thankful of this book. Because of
this we were able to understand more the tragic effects of war by
reading the personal account of Pacita. We hope that the 2nd World
War won’t disappear in people’s memories. And that everyone
should continue learning from this.
I shall return.
- General Douglas MacArthur