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jialeysa · 2 years

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Taste of Past

While I’m walking on the side of the Mother Church of Palawan which is the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish. I was walking towards the park where I always hang out and where i can think properly without any distractions.

When I was nearing my destination, I saw a couple. I feel their love for each other, I saw a lot of kids playing happily. I remembered when i was a young I went throught that too i became dirty, injured. And being happy, have a freedom to play and everything, remembering that past making me think what happen to me why I came in this situation did I do something wrong that's why I'm facing this kind of problem.

As I go to the seat where I can see the sea and I can breathe fresh air, I thought about taking a picture first to post on my instagram, after taking a picture. An old lady came into my place and ask me if I'm with someone I said no one and she ask me again if she can sit beside me, I letd her, after a minutes she suddenly spoke and ask me Do you know the story behind this place? I said no she speak again and said Let me tell you a story, a story behind this beautiful place named “PLAZA QUARTEL”. She gently start talking and I listen carefully. She’s start talking about the previous war that happened during

their time. “I nodded”.

Old lady: In my time, I witnessed the war that happened right here in this park.

While I was listening I was amazed at what her was saying. I can see in his two eyes how chaotic this park used to be.

(She’s continuing talking.)

Old lady: I saw how the Japanese People burn and kill the 150 American Prisoners alive.

Plaza Cuartel looks like your ordinary city park with concrete pavements, towering trees and benches. The ruins of an old garrison and tunnels are proof of its grim past. Plaza Cuartel is the site of Palawan Massacre. The tunnels were where 150 American prisoners of war were kept during World War II. But on December 14, 1944, the Japanese decided to kill them all by burning them alive. Many perished but eleven prisoners were able to survive and escape the mass execution.

I was confuse why they need to get on that point that they can kill people easily.

Old lady: Some of American Prisoners survive, they swam to the river going to Iwahig to escape. One of the survivors is Dr. Higinio Mendoza. The remains of the Death were brought and buried at St.Louis Country at A general Grave in JEFFERSON

BARPACKS NATIONAL CFMETERY, MISSOURI,ESTADOS UNIDOS, 1952.

*she’s continuing the Background of The Plaza Quartel.

Old lady: Do you want to know about Dr. Higinio Mendoza

Me: “Yes”, i nodded

Old lady: Great! “So let me introduce to you Dr. Higinio Mendoza one of the survivor of the World War II. Dr. Higinio Mendoza died for this country. He chose to face death rather than betray his country and his people. Before he died, he left these words to his family and fellowmen: “Do not be afraid, don’t be sad. Not many are given the privilege to die for his country.” In the Mendoza Park, the city's central square, where his remains were interred, his memory has been preserved. He worked as the governor of Palawan from 1931 to 1938. He is a doctor by training. He completed his higher education in Manila as well as in the USA, where he studied medicine and afterwards worked. Higinio was allowed to speak in public despite being held captive by the Japanese. In one of them, he said “ It’s good that they chanced upon me in the house with my family. Had I been in the camp with my soldiers, there would be much bloodshed and I would never surrender,”. In 1947 they found the group of civilians but not in the grave. They’re now buried at Mendoza Park. Higinio would have escaped death had he accepted allegiance to the Japanese flag. But he refused not to serve in the Japanese government. Because for him, loyalty to his country and to his people is more upright, and should be his paramount consideration. He willingly offered his life for the people of Palawan and for his country.”

She gave me a sweet smile after she finished her story.

Old lady: Oh! I’ll go ahead, Thank You for listening Hija, I hope you learned a lot from it. /*she start to fix her dress and she stand up to prepare to leave.

Me: Thank you so much Lady, I learned a Lot from you. /* i smile back at her.

Before she leave, I picked up my phone and we took a picture, so we can have memories.

She left and after that I stayed there a few minutes and thinking what the old lady said to me after rewinding my mind I left and go home.

#palawan #21st century

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