Flag Raising Ceremony 1918
Dumaguete City History
American Period
Published Documents from SU Library
The American Forces, the 164th Infantry, were camped in barrio Motong at the back portion of the Matiao hacienda. There, under the coconut groves, the place looked like a big city of olive-colored tents with well-planned streets at right angles. At night it was well lighted. During the day, one could see many Filipino men and women selling fried chicken, bananas, and other fresh fruits. Some came to see or visit the place, and they were quite sure to receive candies and cookies and other items. Most of the women were laundry women, and of course, as what usually happens during periods of war occupation, the lonely American soldiers dated with Filipinas, whether good-looking or not. It was common sight to see Filipinas holding hands with American G.I.’s and later on having babies with American fathers. This aroused some jealousy among the Filipino boys who were turned down by their former girlfriends. They coined the expression “Hanggang pier lamang,” but some girls did not mind because they wanted white babies.
It should also be mentioned here that the veterans of the resistance movement in Negros Oriental held a meeting at the Silliman Assembly Hall on July 25, 1945. Over three-hundred members attended. The purpose was to organize the Oriental Negros Legion. The officers elected were: President, Lt. G. M. Pinili; Vice President, Capt. Joaquin Funda; Secretary, Sgt. E. Cabrera; Treasurer, Lt. Angel Campoy; Representatives, Capt. F. Villarin and Lt. Santiago Artes; Sgt.-at-Arms, Lt. Orlando Consing and Lt. Jose Utzurum. The ORNEG LEGION was inaugurated with a program and grand ball at Quezon Park on July 31, 1945.
For the first time in over three years, a friendly cargo ship dropped anchor at Dumaguete in the morning of June 27, 1945. This Liberty ship came directly from Manila to pick up the first shipment of copra to leave the Philippines for the United States since December 1941. Five hundred twenty-seven tons (527) of copra were loaded to capacity. This copra was Japanese-confiscated copra and the PCAU made arrangements with F.E.A. San Francisco who sold it to the manufacturers of soap and butter substitutes. Commanding the liberty ship was Capt. L. V. Cooley of the New Orleans who was enthusiastic in his praise of the beauty of Dumaguete. He expressed surprise to find the harbor and facilities in Dumaguete in very good order. It was so much different from what he expected to see after having seen the ruins in Manila.
Comments
Post a Comment