Silliman University Science Building 1917

*Silliman University Science Building 1917

 

The saying that “necessity is the mother of invention” was proven true when no more products from abroad were available during the war. People in Dumaguete and other towns found locally manufactured materials substituting for imported goods. Eliseo Corsino made ink; although it was not as good as the foreign brand and cost a little more, but there was something for our local printers to use. Brilliantine, oil for the hair, made by Mr. Gerardo Imperial was a luxury to the girls who used coconut milk and orange juice for shampoo. Laundry soap was for a long time locally produced, but toilet soap had been imported. Venancio Aldecoa and Felicisimo Kiamco made scented soap that was just as good as the imported ones. Leaflets containing the formula for the making of homemade soap were distributed. The Silliman chemistry department made matches on commercial scale. The public was advised to save old matchboxes to be used as containers. Charles Glunz of the Silliman Industrial department made lamps that used coconut oil instead of petroleum, which was no longer available. They were sold at one peso each. Coconut producers made oil instead of copra, which could not be sold anymore. Moreover, cow’s milk was no longer available, but people discovered that rich creamy coconut milk was just as tasty with coffee. People made coconut and nangka candies. Corn and rice cakes, “puto” from cassava and sponge cakes from cassava flour were sold in the tabû and were delicacies in war times.

 

During the six months from the start of the war to the time the Japanese landed in Dumaguete, people tried to practice austerity, that is, to live simply and work hard to make both ends meet.