The Battle of Manila: 75 years after one of WWII's deadliest battles

75 years ago, a brutal campaign was fought to end the Japanese occupation of Manila. More than 100,000 civilians died in the violence, which remains engraved forever in the memories of those who took part in what was one of WWII's bloodiest campaigns.
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[@ahmadillo4959]

The 105-year old veteran looks remarkably fit and healthy for his age considering he fought in one of the most brutal battles of the Second World War.

[@stealtho]

Yeah, his appearance would be me when I’m per se 60 or 70 years old

[@vegitoson4218]

@Sometimes Blue you're going to look worse than a zombie

[@chadurot1773]

@Sometimes Blue i bet you cant reach the age og 60

[@crisvincebuscato8522]

@@chadurot1773 HAHAHAHAHA i literally laughed

[@elyserva7903]

@Sometimes Blue you’ll be all bones & dirt by the time you’re 105!

[@luallual8180]

Manila never recovered from this battle, nowadays I dont think anyone can still call it the Pearl of the Orient

[@luallual8180]

@@TheMaster4534 Ingratitude for what exactly?

[@luallual8180]

@JAY_ZIE In my opinion not really. I've been to Manila a lot of times and I'll say that it is not really a nice place to be or a nice looking place in general. If you look at pictures of old Manila before WW2 it looks nicer.

[@Milliardo5]

It was more because of political meddling among local politicians than anything. After World War II the Philippines was one of the richest Asian countries, but that gradually faded as other nations rebuilt. Ironically Japan would rebuild greatly, and become one of the strongest Asian economies.

[@viacrucishector1821]

@@TheMaster4534 Excuse me what ingratitude?

[@TheMaster4534]

@@luallual8180 Ingratitude for refusing Japan's help to save ourselves.

[@georgeroy5914]

Manila is second to Stalingrad as being the city with the fiercest urban fighting during the war.

[@chrdvr6480]

Isn't it Warsaw?

[@k-studio8112]

It should be "Asian Stalingrad"

[@rouymalic4463]

@@k-studio8112 more like warsaw because they are same capital of two nations whom are devastated

[@reinpinebook825]

manila is bombed more than tokyo

[@bandit5747]

@@rouymalic4463 plus they were both fighting not on their own land (technically the US owned it but its not apart of America)

[@ZyozyoPadilla]

I see pictures and read accounts of prewar Manila and it sends shivers down my spine: the cafes, the Portuguese and German quarters, the Chinese-Filipino architecture, the theaters, the boulevards, the tramlines. No wonder it was seen as a world city then. Sadly, we never fully recovered.

[@kevin080592]

portugese and german quarters?...saan banda iyun?

[@ZyozyoPadilla]

@@kevin080592 may German community sa Manila dati ta's sabi ng prof kong anthro meron din Portuguese community :)

[@Armis71]

Because of several decades of people coming from the provinces looking for work and squatting in city areas that we see a lot of poverty. Include the government corruption and lack of law enforcement that we see Manila look dilapidated for years.

[@ZyozyoPadilla]

@@kevin080592 Siya nga pala bro, actually, na-alala ko ngayon lang, tuwing dumadaan ako sa LRT-Gilmore meron na ngang German Cultural Center pero mukhang matagal na siyang sarado tsaka nabubulok na ang mismong gusali. :(

[@kevin080592]

@@ZyozyoPadilla sayang. hindi man lang na preserve

[@mndsph4530]

As a Filipino, this is hurting to watch. My country has never fully recovered from the war. And up to this day, much of the history is unknown to the rest of the world. Manila was the second worst hit city after Warsaw, the whole city just went into rubble and was never fully restored. Lost of lives, too, the Manila massacre of civilians about 100 thousand people that cannot be replaced by amount of money or reparations. We only received apologies from both the United States and Japan. If WWII did not happen and my country was not turned into a bloodbath in the pacific, things would have been totally different by now.

[@lanceorbeta1235]

Mnds PH I couldn’t agree more. Ang sakit panoorin.

[@mndsph4530]

@@lanceorbeta1235 minsan mapapaisip ka rin na hindi lang pala mga Pinoy ang hindi masyadong nakakaalam ng sarili nating kasaysayan minsan kahit mga banyaga mismo parang hindi nila alam na nagexist ang giyera sa Pilipinas.

[@krixpop]

@@mndsph4530 In all honesty, did the USA at least help Filipino to rebuild or in other capacities?

[@99999Seb99999]

This brought flashbacks to the documentary I saw at the Warsaw Uprising Museum. Condolences and love from Poland 🇵🇱 🇸🇽

[@CryptocurrencyInsider]

Manila even had modern tram lines back then and the GDP was one of the highest in ASEAN. JAPAN should get forced to pay reparations for their shameless attacks on civilians.

[@francestation]

"The loss of cultural and architectural heritage is today considered a national tragedy." Pearl of the Orient😢 Still mourning.

[@justarandomsovietofficerwi2023]

Yes. Manila seems like a worse Gotham now.

[@bekind664]

@@brapa1190 yeah Tagalog and Spanish were the official languages but after the war when the u.s occupied the Philippines it changed to Tagalog and English

[@jeant6502]

@@bekind664 *Filipino not Tagalog.

[@rubrendumaual1457]

Well di ba ayaw natin s mga kastila ni ayaw nga natin gamitin ang salita nila eh yung gawa n gusali nila hind pilipino ang may gawa nun ung mga nkatayo n gusali eh gawa yun nila so dapat lng din na mawasak yun lol

[@francestation]

@@rubrendumaual1457 sinong nagsabing ayaw natin sa mga kastila? FYI, noon may Spanish subject ang Pilipinas. Tinanggal lang kasi hindi na practical. Sinong may sabi sayong hindi mga Pilipino ang gumawa ng mga gusaling 'yan? Pag sure oi. Ang rason kung ba't ako nanghihinayang d'yan dahil parte na 'yan ng heritage at culture ng Pilipinas.

[@gbendicion7052]

The second most destroyed city after Warsaw....it has been forgotten.

[@ianhomerpura8937]

capital city*

[@kierrodavid1755]

Yes, but warsaw was able to restore most of the buildings that were destroyed during the war while manila hasn’t.

[@tombehram394]

@@kierrodavid1755 they even demolished most of those old European buildings instead of renovating it.

[@emyymy6371]

Lol have you seen berlin?

[@ngaylorsmwift5144]

@@emyymy6371 Berlin is the capital of world war two, ofc its not a war hostpot because it is a central city in the heart of germany.

[@hl8655]

It was the rape of Manila. Choosing Manila as the battle ground has left a big scar in the Philippines. We never fully recovered as a nation after the war. Manila was never the same after the bombs and guns had rampaged its streets. We lost a big part of our national identity because of these attrocities, and the trauma that we had from that experience was just covered with layers of unhealthy coping mechanisms over the years. Until this day, we suffer the consequences of WWII. 😥

[@sasorishino]

This brings back my grude to the superpowers.

[@GTX311]

The Philippines never fully recovered and never will because Filipinos do not learn from history and it is also because of their fondness for corrupt politicians. They rather live in fantasy than face reality.

[@Pegasus_QS179]

@@GTX311 how is it the fault of people for choosing corrupt politicians, are you even sure they chose them or the politicians voted themselves. also I dont get your point why blaming a destroyed city than the ones responsible for destroying it?? you are victim blaming, how wicked can your roots come from.

[@Pegasus_QS179]

Manila was first, before there was Iraq, Libya, and Syria.

[@TheMaster4534]

All because we refused the grace of Japan helping us stand as an Asian nation. Kaya yun, winasak nila ang Manila bilang leksyon. They destroyed our identity as a way of saying "You love to be Americans? Go be American! Tignan natin sino ang gagapang pabalik!" 75 years later, ngayon pa lang tayo nagsisi.

[@tabstabs4855]

My maternal grandparents was murdered by the Japanese kempeitai, leaving my then one year old grand father under the care of his elder siblings.

[@ms.yawhaw8831]

: (

[@jamesaaron8578]

Ahhh punyeta

[@rjsils3842]

They say that the slums in Tondo was supposed to be a temporary settlement and the residents were supposed to be relocated after the city was rebuilt. In the end, the supposedly temporary settlement became a permanent one.

[@pong6377]

Well Siguro kinuha na ng mga mayayaman o politiko ung mga lupa na dapat sa mga tao. Highly likely na sakanila den ang tondo kase wala naman mga titulo bahay dun, puro rights lang just like in floodway ( which is another relocation site )

[@krxstiine]

So hurt

[@hopevalencia1716]

Nasanay na lamang tayong mga pilipino sa mga pangako na napapako, and it’s sad. Sobrang nakakalungkot na parang naging normal na ito sa atin.

[@bornanagaming3329]

The rich stole the land and turned them into shopping malls

[@hinacn8426]

My grandfather is now 86 years old, I am still grateful and lucky to gather information about his history for my school researches, in exchange for my care for him every day.

[@synthonight]

It's great to hear that 👍

[@pasofino2199]

That’s awesome saludos to your abuelo de Mexico

[@meldrop4411]

Why need to have something in return tho

[@vladilenamilize7921]

:)

[@schmeatgaming853]

my great grandfather fought as a Guerilla member, i don't know much about him, but it's for good reason.

[@jclozano788]

The liberation of Manila or the Battle of Manila was one of the bloodiest and worst scene of urban fighting in the Pacific theatre and also during World War II. Hundreds of thousand innocent civilians died and it destroyed lots of historical architectures dated back Spanish colonial era. And also Manila was one of the devastated cities after the war.

[@FrancesAnneFong]

Jc Lozano :( intramuros is a proof :(

[@shinsenshogun900]

@@tzu3094 America does that because they promised that they will return, I won't leave the Manilenos to the clutches of those who disobeyed their leader Masaharu Homma's orders to trek to the Cordilleras &instead holed up and massacred some civilians into meatshields. I won't approve leaving any strategic city be ignored to be liberated.

[@senzanome5768]

No is battle of Shanghai

[@ethanbenoza7555]

@@senzanome5768 boring 😂😂😂

[@awall6181]

@@senzanome5768 He said “One of the" not “the"

[@fil_britbunnyboi872]

My grandparents spoke of how beautiful pre war Manila was. The city was filled with historical landmarks, tree lined avenues were clean and had no traffic, the air was fresh, and people were stylishly dressed yet polite and well mannered. It was so safe in the city, people could leave their homes without locking the doors. After the war, things were never the same. Centuries old medieval architecture burned to the ground, infrastructure completely destroyed and corruption became rampant due to the loss of morality. The city never truly recovered to this day. This is not just a national tragedy but a tragedy to human civilisation as well.

[@pierregutierrez9372]

So, Japan deserved to be bombed twice after all...

[@lahasainaypayaso3386]

@@pierregutierrez9372 Dude, don't be like that. and to be honest, I hate the Japanese government more, especially when I learned that they wanted to REMOVE the 'Comfort Women' statue of our country and Korea when they're just remembering the female victims. it's so disrespectful. the German's didn't complain when the people made a mural to the holocaust victims, then there's the Japanese government that have the guts of being offended.

[@pierregutierrez9372]

@@lahasainaypayaso3386 Yeah, my bad. I was simply exaggerating.

[@pierregutierrez9372]

@@lahasainaypayaso3386 By the way, do you know the "Bataan Death March"? It was one of the most infamous atrocities of the Japanese during WWII and happened in my country. If you want to know more about it, you may research.

[@lahasainaypayaso3386]

@@pierregutierrez9372 Well, yeah I already know it since in elementary, cause it's one of the most talked event in our history.

[@thescarlethunter2160]

What makes more sad is that many Japanese poeple forget thier country even participated in ww2 which is very insulting for the poeple who died and families destroyed in the war

[@zenromesa2728]

It not insulting they want to forgot about the bad happened in World War II

[@grayscale888]

@@zenromesa2728 its insulting because you don't know what atrocities your people did to other nationalities

[@zenromesa2728]

@@grayscale888 you have a point

[@facelesstrader1351]

it's not that they forgot. It's because, somehow, their education about the war is very minimal, if it's discussed in their history class, it's all about how they were the victims because of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, without really delving into details that they were the ones who initiated the war and done so many atrocities during the war.

[@kissshot2242]

the people who did this are mostly dead by now. why should the new generation carry the burden of their ancestors sin. I think you just assumed they forgot, its not like every japanese we meet have to bow and say sorry

[@tmyofficial1080]

As a filipino, it makes me sad to recall everything that happen in my country. My grandmother told me about her life during the war. They lost everything. She even said to us that our culture was lost.

[@ReallyRandomMe]

How was our culture lost?

[@heferiusgrendamel2665]

@@ReallyRandomMe did you even whatch the video? XD

[@ReallyRandomMe]

@@heferiusgrendamel2665 that's not the question. In what way was our culture lost albeit the historical buuldings. How? How? And How?

[@heferiusgrendamel2665]

@@ReallyRandomMe so what you mean is historical building is not part of the culture?

[@ReallyRandomMe]

@@heferiusgrendamel2665 nope it isnt. It's just a manefistation of our culture. It is wrong to say that "our culture is lost". It is more appropriate to say "a part of our history is lost". Culture by definition is hand in hand with Language and the People. Since Filipinos didn't went extinct. The our culture still lives on. However the structures that SYMBOLIZE our culture were lost.

[@NewDealChief]

As a Filipino, the Largest Naval Battle in history and one of the Largest Land Battle outside of Europe being mostly washed over and forgotten by most Westerners is trully heartbreaking.

[@scipioprime69]

Western countries have their own problems so stfu

[@nikkolodian9517]

Battle of Leyte Gulf is talked about in history. If you are into history you would know about the Battle of Manila.

[@zhongxina9420]

Dafuk u mean forgotten

[@kyphroshalck21]

only most of Filipinos don't remember or worse, dont know about these, because the schools here in the Philippines are not teaching about these specific battles...

[@NewDealChief]

@@kyphroshalck21 Actually, we are thought about it in middle school and high school.

[@roguechest743]

What hurts more is that this part of history is mostly ignored and forgotten

[@alas2210]

No. We don't! They teach this in all school beginning grade 6

[@briefersrock4591]

Redo of Healer? 🤔

[@ReallyRandomMe]

This is not mostly ignored or forgotten. There are more important events more than this that happened during WWII thay changed the tide of war.

[@theultraatomicgamer]

@@alas2210 They didn’t teach me this and I am Grade 7

[@sims_leaf4824]

I will NEVER forget it

[@miguelcomia6455]

It's so sad to know that these kind of things about my country aren't being taught thoroughly in our schools.

[@miguelcomia6455]

@Seth Villanueva not really write. More like pick the history that can be accessed by the public.

[@siphobrisloks8133]

@Seth Villanueva we were thought at school

[@siphobrisloks8133]

@Seth Villanueva WE WERE THOUGHT AT SCHOOL

[@edwinfcapidos]

Mas big deal pa sa kanila yung martial law at pagiging bayani ni Ninoy.

[@rrtds9378]

And in fact here in the United States they have forgotten what Japan did to countries in Asia such as the Philippines. The atrocities that my late father had told me. In fact here in the US, the schools probably stopped teaching history and even a former President apologized for the US for the atomic bomb. History has been forgotten, the people who really suffered from the atrocities are forgotten and swept under the rug.

[@TheMopomi]

Japan has always played the victim card because they where bommed. But they themselves has committed alot of atrocities during the war.

[@silverhawkscape2677]

One could say the Atomic Bomb was the closest thing to divine retribution for their sins in the war.

[@thehistory9187]

Japan was gonna surrender nonetheless, The atomic bombs are only used to expedite things.

[@matt53696]

@Mark Anthony Santillan in other words: US sent 1 atomic bomb to surrender but Japanese Government still cant decide US send 2nd atomic bomb: JUST SURRENDER GODDAMN IT

[@user-hz3rf8ld6l]

Japan is way better than America today. They (America) even tagged us (Philippines) to join them invade Iraq.

[@azurisage]

I love How people in the comments keep blaming the entirety of japan including the normal citizens it's always the imperial military when hiroshima and nagasaki was bomb most of the people who died are normal civilians they are also victims of imperial Japanese they are treated like useless some said in history that normal civilians are used as meat sheilds against American soldiers not all of them should be blamed

[@greengamer3135]

Salute and Respect to our FILIPINO War Veterans ... Thank you so Much For your Service , Sacrifice and Bravery to Defend our Country... The Freedom that We Have Know is the Fruit of Your Bravery and Sacrifice... Proud to be Pinoy.. LAND OF THE BRAVE!!❤❤🔥🔥🔥

[@cheetabis]

Manila will never recover. Japan's cruelty will forever be buried in Manila's very core of memories.

[@rollercoaster9290]

Blame the USA! The Americans are the reason why we got implicated by they're conflict.

[@patrickbateman2713]

@@rollercoaster9290 with or without USA japan will still try to invade south east asian countries

[@patrickbateman2713]

@@pierregutierrez9372 and japan now changed themselves, theyre one of the countries helping us against our tensions on spratly islands

[@pierregutierrez9372]

@@patrickbateman2713 It’s just sometimes, I feel grudge for how they colonized and showed their mercilessness to us Filipinos. I, of course, know Japan is our ally now and I really appreciate it.

[@rollercoaster9290]

@@patrickbateman2713 You better stop being America's lap dog!

[@miggybyte]

A salute to the veterans! Thank you for your service.

[@imlonely2906]

Thats why my grandfather still angry to japan.

[@yeboyjayyjv9109]

Oof

[@shinsenshogun900]

Understandable

[@drapoel120]

Let me guess... Your grandfather's name is Joseph Joestar right?

[@doloies1]

Yare yare daze

[@newtype5005]

@@drapoel120 > Joseph : hates Japanese > also Joseph : had a Japanese mistress

[@bigmanz9842]

My Great Grandmother, who is still alive, told stories of how the Japanese occupied Mindanao. They talked about how they had to hide in holes and caves and go on for days without food before seeing fellow Filipinos also hiding. Man I can only imagine what they went through.

[@chanamendoza5743]

My grandfather was a POW in the Death March and managed to escape just merely being lucky and being a native of the area. I never knew him well, but I am proud to have that history within my family. Despite all the terror that were brought upon the Japanese and even our previous colonizers, I hope we don't harbour ill feelings towards the people of these races. Educate the masses to try to prevent history from repeating.

[@gibfeet8992]

I’ve met really old people who said they will never forgive the japanese.

[@davidmattey7487]

China will not forget

[@gibfeet8992]

@@davidmattey7487 my race already did. Sad

[@kyupified2440]

@@gibfeet8992 true. Mabilis makalimot mga pinoy lol. Tapos hanga pa ang iba sa mga Amerikano. Isa din naman sila sa nag take advantage satin.

[@gibfeet8992]

@@kyupified2440 uto uto lang lahi naten e nakakahiya HAHAHHA

[@margaretcanillo7466]

@@gibfeet8992 also uneducated

[@melbourne-heat.69-71]

My dad was a WWII in the Philippines, New Guinea and Manila.. I have hundreds of pictures probably around 1942 before the bombing started.. My dad was in a tank battalion I have pictures of him and his buddies in New Guinea and Manila standing there getting pictures taken very beautiful all the pictures that I have.. my grandfather fought in World War 1 in Paris France.. I fought in Vietnam from 1970 to 1973 we have a long history of military veterans..🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@catherinezigler7098]

My dad also was in New Guinea, the Philippines and the liberation of Manila, and, the internees of Santo Thomas. He was in the 1st Cavalry division, a radio guy, Master Sargeant Vincent Dempewolf. About 3yrs! Horrific

[@OldProVidios]

My dad was also in the 1st Cav from New Guinea to Manilla. 1st Lt. assigned to G. Troop of the 12th Cavalry and the First Cavalry Division. I would love to see pictures.

[@OldProVidios]

​@@catherinezigler7098 My dad was 1st Lt. G. Troop of the 12th Cavalry and the First Cavalry Division. He told of an incident where the officers and a radio man were around a map. A mortar hit and got everyone but him. The radio man took the blast and he was missed.

[@melbourne-heat.69-71]

@@OldProVidios I have a complete military book with a American flag on the top..I remember a place they called "Rock Wall" let me know how I can send the pictures to you I also have his patches of the Tank Battalion plus all his medals..Pictures of the Town Manila..Have alot of pictures of WW-1-Pictures- two soft hats and one steel helmet..From Vietnam still have all my gear, I have tons of pictures and 6- canisters of 8 mm movies so graphic if I watched 10 minutes of one-PTSD- would send me spiraling into the VA Hospital..Not sure what to do with them they were given to me by a journalist photographer before he passed away...He said if I get caught with them bringing them back into the United States it's possible I might go to jail..He said because they are so graphic they could be considered War crime movies..They are so brittle when you try to snake them through the old Bell and Howell projector they snap off in little pieces..

[@ritojamero7097]

People who lived that time in the Philippines especially those who fought the war. Almost all of them reached the age of 90 or more before passing away in this world so maybe that is the gift of God that was given to them

[@noreaster08]

U.S. government screwed these poor soldiers - allies. Sometimes it's better to be our enemies than friends, what a shame.

[@geromegeronimo8312]

I dont blame the US for this one though I know that they did wrong for not following the promise they made but may I ask you why not get compensation from their own government?

[@k-studio8112]

@@geromegeronimo8312 they are already receiving cash from our government. US assistance is a different matter couz if it wasn't because of USA, Philippines shouldn't suffer that much or maybe Philippines will not be invaded by the Empire of Japan

[@dickmelsonlupot7697]

@@geromegeronimo8312 Because technically they are not part of the Philippines' Armed Forces. They're part of America's. And you're trying to demand a country that has benefitted little and loss a lot during the war to help these vets when at that time the country barely even had anything to help itself and was busy trying to fix itself up while America had all the money in the world and was busy spending it all on wasteful weapon developments and dumping a lot on their war against the Soviets.

[@sasorishino]

@@k-studio8112, nope, regardless of USA's hold of the Philippines back then, Japan's expansionism will definitely include the Ph 🇵🇭 due to its close proximity.

[@georgiebennett3336]

​@@sasorishino no, the Philippine Commonwealth proposed and planned to keep the country neutral similar to Switzerland, it was definitely the American hold in the country that brought us to a war we shouldn't have been part of.

[@chocomilkshake9750]

This is why the hiroshima and nagasaki happened. Pure justice.

[@talisay2942]

I HOPE THIS HERO RECEIVED HIS 100,000 PESOS FROM THE GOVERNMENT ON HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY AND A SUCCEEDING 100 THOUSAND AGAIN EVERY YEAR FOR EVERY ADDITIONAL BIRTHDAY AS PASSED BY LAW. GRANDPA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY. YOU ARE TRULY A HERO!!!🙏🏼👏👍

[@jephsilva464]

I hope Hollywood would make a movie about this.

[@flavortown6280]

Yes.

[@stupidumbasshithead5715]

Corporate greed

[@subifyouhatetiktokandreddit234]

@I A Pearl harbor? Midway? Hacksaw ridge?

[@fil_britbunnyboi872]

@@subifyouhatetiktokandreddit234 they're not Manila tho are they?

[@richtomlinson7090]

Brave men. My late father served in the South Pacific during WWII and was involved in the liberation of the Philippines and we have a picture of the guerrilla fighters rowing out to my father's ship. They would tell the Americans the Japanese troop strength and position, under great risk.

[@HeathenHacks]

4:04 Hits so hard.

[@Saladass_04]

Sana magawan to ng film, dedicated para sa mga nagsakripisyong filipino at mga amerikano ❤️

[@dongskypalmes2680]

Meron na, Tittle: THE GREAT RAID

[@marvindiego1958]

Tatlong Taon Walang Diyos? Oro,Mata,Plata?

[@k-studio8112]

@@dongskypalmes2680 iba naman yun. Rescue operation yun sa American POW sa Catanduanes

[@winterchill3013]

@@k-studio8112 Cabanatuan po sir.

[@k-studio8112]

@@winterchill3013 ay tama pala haha..."Ca" kasi naalala kong unang syllable haha

[@varovaro1967]

I have half the age of that veteran and i feel twice as old...

[@bagoh4]

Can't stop laughing. Sorry.

[@crestaljean824]

Greed for power and money have brought a lot of tragedy in this world. May we not forget the sacrifices made by these brave souls, and the lives lost.

[@pierregutierrez9372]

#NeverForgivingJapan 🇵🇭🤜🏼🤜🏼🤜🏼🇯🇵 Edit: Okay, forget that hashtag, lmao.

[@tuckfuddyduddy]

Listening and knowing this part of modern history makes me appreciate and decided to keep the peace we’ve achieved. There may be hiccups on our society today, but what they’ve experienced is waaay much worse.

[@reidellchristian2579]

the beauty of the Pearl of the Orient vanished 💔🥺🇵🇭

[@tsarnicholasii419]

Yes, we can all agree that many parts of Manila are still "damaged"to this very day. But is there any possibly way that we can fix those "damaged" parts of the city?

[@sims_leaf4824]

Philippines are still under of trouble because of the pandemic aside of giving donation the Gov. Still need to contineu making buildings so idk why those who is mad of the pres. Keep saying that du30 is corrupt while hes doing hes best to balance the donations/for Pandemic/and for instratures

[@excitonknight140]

And now we have different conquerors today. Hiding behind a mask of “friend” and people choose to look past it

[@nunyabiznes33]

A yes, our forever besties. "Father" loves them, and so should we...

[@EPHZAM]

Yes, the colonizers

[@KeepItSimpleSurvival]

I Salute!!!!! He has seen so much, endure so much!!!!! America and Philippines!!!!!! Friends Forever......💞💞💞

[@medassistph]

Hirohito still had the testicular fortitude to beg for his survival and live up to 87 years old as emperor. I think he should have taken the same fate as that failed painter from Braunau.

[@de_ciphered]

Hirohito was nothing more than a figurehead, I recommend blaming Tojo for all this suffering we have been through.

[@kyleterry5190]

It was impossible to prosecute Hirohito even though majority of the allies wanted his head on the chopping block, he was seen as a god. And to quote a commander "either we exclude the emperor or wade through tokyo amidst 80 million corpses"

[@ReallyRandomMe]

I think he did not beg. The Americans promised Japan that if they surrender they will appoint emeperor Hirohito back.

[@stephanielim5544]

Japan was indeed the most brutal, but America is the reason why our country was made into a battleground between this 2 giants. And they're not innocents either after taking us from Spain.

[@ChrisTian-yw7jc]

Yes. Sure Japan would have spared the civilians. They always did. Just ask China.

[@user-hf8zv7qw4l]

Not true. Japan wanted Pacific to be theirs. They also occupied Taiwan, China, Borneo etc. not just Philippines.

[@unclejkenofficial22]

Queen city of the pacific, pearl of the orient spanish 🇪🇸 american 🇺🇲 structure buildings. In 1938 before the war manila is the most beautiful and modern city in the asia ❤️ european style buildings. On this day original structure of manila never recovered after the darkest and deadliest WW2.

[@vincematthewcatacutansibug2609]

kalungkot

[@danielblue4460]

Some correction, it was the Americans who turned Manila into rubble. It was the only way to corner the Japanese. Japanese snippers were hitting Americans and taking them one by one.

[@crigitti]

Thanks for the truth

[@meldrop4411]

Maybe if Sanji Iwabuchi followed the orders to withdraw from the city, Manila might have not been totaly destroyed

[@marshalllee624]

Imagine, America sacrificed all the 200,000 Filipino civilians, by bombing them, then destroyed the whole city..

[@naor85]

Admittedly, I had never really heard of the Battle of Manila until the recent events involving my own country and Gaza. I heard some vague comparisons so decided to do some research. A terrible tragedy such a horrific event has been so ignored by history. RIP to the victims and brave soldiers who fell there.

[@alyssapebenito1154]

Its just sad watching the so-called 'Europe of Asia' at its downfall just because of a war and colonization i hope Manila recover its a beautiful diverse city

[@melo3445]

as my grandfather, a native of Manila who grew up during wwii recalls, "after the war, the US gave more aid to the enemy, an enemy we fought for them while they were gone (Japan), than to the people and country they abandoned, the ones they swore to protect"

[@sirij8784]

Yup they did help Japan but they also stripped Japan naked of ever fighting again so they couldn't repeat what they did to anybody else

[@jacksonnolasco]

My grandfather fought during japanese-american war. As a kid, i was amazed by his stories. Too bad, his compensation of being a soldier was released 10 years after his death.

[@crax9109]

Lies

[@Coupons828]

My great grandmother still remembers that war even today.

[@myfavoritepointguard446]

*The most destroyed cities in WWII was Warsaw and Manila, and over 400,000 civilians were killed.*

[@moderncrusader9904]

Yep and it never recovered ever since manila was really beautiful back then it was even dubbed as the paris of asia cause of its unique and distinct designs

[@scipioprime69]

@@moderncrusader9904 Youre funny hahaha

[@ReallyRandomMe]

Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Dresden looking from afar.

[@krdiaz8026]

Someone's cutting onions. 😭

[@martialway81]

After escaping the Death March my grandfather had to fight this battle as well. After the war he drank heavily became an alcoholic and beat my father and Grandmother causing internal problems in my father as well that I inherited. as well as like many Filipino families like us. Pain and suffering is also our legacy to bare/ bear.

[@kyleterry5190]

I feel sorry for your parents, my paternal great grand-dad,paternal great-grand-uncle were also part of the death march, but the spectators created a minor riot and smuggled a few of them out, but they never were abusive to my grandparents and other familial predeccesors, they just said that after the war both of them acted normally. One settled in the city I'm in right now and the other went to live in the US, I was also told that my great-grandad would often take a decanter of "tuba" and sit silently by the terrace at times (never really met him since he died almost 30 years before I was born and it was all narrated to me by my dad who was already an adult when my great grandad died)

[@lilibethmaderia8585]

The soldiers died but the battlefield where they fought will be there for ever😔

[@mikebloye5234]

What made any of you believe that the Americans would keep their promise to pay you. Philippines people are a great people but to trusting .

[@Xyrel24]

cuz they're "white"

[@bryangayo4292]

PLEASE READ THIS: For the record, the Battle of Manila is the sin and fault of General Douglas McArthur. The Philippines would have been spared these horrors but McArthur wanted to keep his promise: "I shall return". Instead of invading Formosa (now Taiwan), and cutting off Imperial Japan from the rest of its conquered territories, McArthur was hellbent on reclaiming the Philippines. Mind you, at this point, Japan was already losing the war. But since, it was the election period in the US. Bypassing the Philippines would tarnish Roosevelt's candidacy, thus, FDR gave in. The destruction of Manila rest squarely on the pride of Douglas McArthur. 400 years worth of culture, traditions, structures, history - gone in a month. Manila, and the Philippines, will never be the same after the "Rape of Manila".

[@ReallyRandomMe]

Why Invade Formosa? Formosa (Taiwan) is a relatively small Island with not much resources, being it also very near to Japan makes it completely nonesensical for the Americans to build a base there, you think they can block the japanese there? Think again, the Japanese can block them too given the distance of Taiwan to Japan and Taiwan to the nearest U.S base, Guam. And also the japanese can simply just evade Taiwan by just simply going around it.

[@prussiangreen6940]

It will happen again if we forget our history.

[@zentineltzy6153]

Yes

[@zentineltzy6153]

Yes all of this will happeb again

[@stupidumbasshithead5715]

"Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it. "

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

It already did... In Marawi...

[@justdont2378]

Manila used to be the Paris of Asia but all we have now in Manila is the broken landmarks like Baluarte De San Diego and some parts of repaired intramuros like Jones Bridge

[@eyyyyow5670]

Kung di nag ka WW2 maganda yang Manila, lalo na yung mga Architectural heritage, mag dudulot yan ng maraming turista 😭

[@takeo1794]

Peyn dapat nag karoon ng restoration committee para sa mga bahay na binomba

[@skinny4ever914]

@@takeo1794 yung ruins 7 na simbahan sa intramuros already has historical marker still they choose to demolished it paved way for modern buildings :///

[@jemellebeaumont8745]

@@takeo1794 unfortunately, pinalitan na ng mga modern buildings

[@user-rp2vc5ov2r]

We have heaps of architectural heritage/landmarks but they chose to demolish/ruined it para palitan for new buildings. Di marunong magpahalaga ang mga pinoy, sadly.

[@cuadrosite4823]

Dont mind about tourist. Its a part of our history

[@nicholasd.4331]

How come the americans helped japan more in rebuilding rather than giving its ally the Philippines the help it needed in rebuilding the nation after the war🙄🙄🙄

[@Hahah629]

Idk

[@sims_leaf4824]

Yup geez

[@thehistory9187]

My theory is that the damages are so great that the US could be in trillions of debts

[@MA-pn9zx]

The US saw Japan as an equal. A great country that needs to rebuild while the Philippines was merely a colony, something dispensable when it turned to rubble.

[@tripakastayw6872]

Although Article 9 intended to prevent the country from ever becoming an aggressive military power again, the United States was soon pressuring Japan to rebuild its army as a bulwark against communism in Asia after the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War.

[@animeyahallo3887]

Sad Fact: This wont have happen if MacArthur ate his pride and accept that he failed the Philippines months before Japanese attacked the Philippines. Now you must be asking why? Wasn't MacArthur the one who saved the Philippines from the Japanese oppressors? Yes but the "battle of manila" isnt needed to win a war. Defeating the Japanese forces in the Philippines is not a strategic area that is needed to be capture to win the war. It was solely due to MacArthur's promise that he shall return and liberate it. Had he accepted Marshall and Nimitz's plan which is to island hop until they could bomb Tokyo then Manila wont have been destroyed, thousands of allied soldiers and civilians wont be killed due to bombings. As a young student I was thought that MacArthur was this great general who saved the Philippines but now that I've grown up I've learned that he discarded the ideas of fortifying Philippines months before pearl Harbor (the tension between USA and Japan during the 30s and early 40s is high). His chief of staff is already pleading him to fortify Philippines as a war might erupt between the US and Japan but he did nothing until all was too late. For me he is one of the most overrated ww2 generals.

[@yamby6709]

No, not just mc Arthur's the japanese side tooo had too much pride. The yamashita ordered the troops at manila to retreat to sierra madre. The army followed him but the navy disobeyed and ignored the order and chose to stay and fight to death.

[@yamby6709]

The one who stayed and fought the americans weren't the army but the navy who had long lost their ships. Yamashita too knew that defending manila is nothing but a useless thing and quickly abandoned it. But the navy was too prideful and committed the defense of manila which made the manila 2nd worst devastated city after the war.

[@miriammagningning7872]

My grandmother is 6 years old during the pre war and she always tells to my mother how beautiful and glorious Manila way back then ,those old big hispanic inspired mansions ,vintage cars ,big theatres ,busy city ,beautiful architectural designs of church that was built during Spanish era and diversity of people from different cultural backgrounds few are european and americans haystt good old times.

[@lahasainaypayaso3386]

Now, half of Manila look freaking rubbish. but what I find more sad is the fact we used to have a good transportations.

[@lynlynn2564]

I salute all WW2 US-FILIPINO Veterans. You risked your life for the freedom we have today. Thank you is never enough to pay for what you had given us. May God give you better health and better life. I'm a proud Daughter of WW2 FIL-AM Veteran!

[@georgiebennett3336]

I'm born in late 90s but still, seeing Manila before and comparing it today, it aches my heart. Our city's architectural heritage was never restored and were left to rot and be replaced by generic looking buildings with no soul or appeal that would make the city distinctly Manila.

[@georgiebennett3336]

@I A you probably need some comprehension :)

[@jeffsbreakthrough7249]

WE WILL NEVER FORGET OUR HEROES!!!

[@wugols2011]

thanks DW for featuring this forgotten heroes

[@felix_remmie6048]

I’m just now learning about this

[@user-xh6ye4yn8n]

It is heartbreaking to see the devastation that war brings.Japan was fighting the United States, which had colonized the Philippines, not the Filipino people. The Japanese considered the Filipinos to be their Asian brethren. That is why Japan abolished the military government in 1943 and supported the independence of the Republic of the Philippines.The Greater East Asia Conference was held in Tokyo, and President Laurel attended the conference as a representative of the Philippines. The cause of the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere was to liberate Asia from the colonial rule of the Western powers and to promote the self-reliance of each ethnic group. The U.S. military had a "barrier troop," in which Filipino soldiers were sent to the front and urged to "go, go, go" from the rear. If they run away and retreat, they were to be shot and killed as fleeing the enemy. Americans tied Filipino soldiers to trees to prevent them from retreating or running away. The U.S. military fought in a way that respected the lives of whites and not the lives of people of color. The U.S. military indiscriminately bombarded Manila with no regard for civilian lives. And after the war, they attributed the massacre of 100,000 Manila civilians to the Japanese military.

[@yomeiskian7195]

Hes doesnt looks like a 105 years old he just looks like 70 - 80 years old

[@lahasainaypayaso3386]

I mean, mga Asyano tayo 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@travelguide4102]

This needs more views

[@1977-i1h]

My grandpa is old now.

[@theparamountparamount913]

Manila is one of the most iconic and beautiful cities in Asia back then. It has so many remarkable pre spanish architectural buildings . It was also known as "Paris of Asia" because of that European-touch-Architecture .When the war broke out, the Philippine Government tried to replicate what France did. France declared Paris as an "Open City" to preserved and prevent their beloved city from the wrath and destruction of the German Forces. Unfortunately, despite being an "Open City", Manila was not spared by the Japanese Air Force. Destruction of the city followed soon after when the Japanese planes reached the archipelago. It became even worse when the Americans made a come back several years later. Their offensive to regain the capital city from the Japanese forces sealed the fate of that historic city as they're pushing back the Japanese out of the city, it resulted to a massive bombardments by the American Bombers and Military Artillery that destroy the remaining buildings . It was never recover since then, now the City of Manila was just an indicator of a failed city leading by corrupt politicians . The glory of the city is no more there and far from what it is before. Such a tragedy.

[@mynamenameless6265]

Every city being liberated by US Forces. Wasak at walang natira.

[@craigdylan3953]

Incredible: I did not know about this part of the northern battle for the Phillipines.... Thanks for uploading. I understand it was the rape of Nanking essentially repeated but with civilian losses of 100,000 civilians... and now we are friends with Japan, against the Chinese. The more they change the more they are the same.... Brave Phillipinos, I salute you !!

[@rapidboots3615]

You're friends to all. Enemies to none Don't let the voices cloud what's happening

[@kz900r4]

My grandfather was in this war. He was in charge of running communication lines across the battle field. Armed with just a pistol. He said he was a moving target.

[@michaelinzo]

We need this especially in this troubled times...

[@JosiahWarren]

My lovely philippines

[@ontariofirs7347]

As a Manileño living in Hamilton, Ontario it grieves my heart that Manila, that Spanish city in the Orient, was wrecked to the ground, bringing down its Spanish heritage and architecture into the ground, never to be restored again to their former glory.

[@takeo1794]

Oo ang sakit :(

[@lahasainaypayaso3386]

Lalo na ung mga transportasyon! ngayon mga transportasyon natin nakakahiya, kasi mga outdated at kulang. at sayang nga ung 80% na nasirang historical na gusali. ma emphasize pa sana ang unique at diverse nating kultura at historia doon.

[@jeant6502]

Manila's architectural buildings are not all Spanish. there are some that are American, Portuguese, German, and Chinese. especially it's evident on (rotting) buildings of Escolta.

[@uncanny3637]

@@jeant6502 I heard it's getting renovated.

[@adelaidecorpuz2077]

The fall down of beautiful manila. 😔😔

[@patrick4044]

while Filipino kids now a days, cries when they didn't watched their favorite "K-POP" stars.

[@junjie8000]

Absolutely right. 👍😂

[@stephenminamina9505]

Ulol

[@joshuaevangelista12tvl-a9]

@@stephenminamina9505 nasaktan ka?

[@junjie8000]

@@stephenminamina9505 Bobo!

[@user-rp2vc5ov2r]

Wag na tayong lumayo. Blame the education system here in PH. Tell them to focus on teaching kids our history. If kpop's the issue should we also blame american wannabes here in PH? Ofc bc yall love white ppl yall even ready to a kneel down for them. 🤷🏽‍♀

[@yeaunrugeoahsayin8681]

The question is... why does america help japan to raise its economic rather than us the philippines whom theyre allies in war.?

[@danielforeroc]

Because the Philippines weren't in a strategic position for a war with the USSR. The USA only cares about itself.

[@skinny4ever914]

they did help philippines the surplus war property agreement sa madaling salita mga lumang gamit na pang militar na galing US na ibibigay sa pilipinas na ipwedeng ibenta at gamitin at ang pera na maiipon nito mapupunta sa pang rehabiliatate ng pilipinas kaso naging issue ito dahil nabulsa ito ng mga pulitiko at ang presidente pa nuon ay manuel roxas lolo ni mar roxas hanggang sa mamatay si manuel roxas hindi na ito nasolve pa kaya do ur own research

[@ReallyRandomMe]

@@danielforeroc wrong such twisted minds. The U.S helped both Japan and the Philippines but they had more focus on Japan because of the two nuclear bombs they dropped on Japan. And also Japan was willing to be helped and be colonized for two years unlike us who only have nationalistic pride in our brains.

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

@@danielforeroc Not surprised. Countries work not by idealism but by realpolitik. If killing a PH president can help them advance the agenda of keeping Commienism at bay, they'll do that...

[@gli5580]

As an American we only care about ourselves. We dont care about yall

[@ditch_biggot4101]

my grandfather grew up in manila, he was ten years old when his family had to flee from the japanese, his father, my great grandfather, was captured and tortured to death, i remember him describing the event

[@moderncrusader9904]

My great grandpa who was also a guerilla resistance fought with american troops during ww2 he was a paratrooper he jumped in coregedor he told us he lost 50+ of his comrades he has also forgot the names but he had never forgot the faces we even let him discribe what they looked like and let an artist draw it we had the sketch pasted in my grandpa's wall in his room he is 102 right now turning 103in december 18

[@daxaq7888]

The forgotten war.

[@senzanome5768]

"The forgotten battle"

[@Zweiihandre]

My grandmother told me when they where teenagers they fled to the mountains and climbed trees and or dug bunkers, The reason being that the japanese dont want to go in the mountains as they where superstitious

[@janejustin1788]

How comes they rarely tell us about this battle?

[@khristoffersonalcachupas7536]

my grandfather EMILIO GUINTO born 1909-2003 world War 2 veteran fought against the Japanese strong army together with commander taruc in tarlac and Pampanga.

[@phoebecruz6658]

War is not good acdng.to my mother she said my father tell to her that the Japanese soldier are crying and young too...pd

[@electropalsceo]

All bankers wars, never ends

[@shinsenshogun900]

Militants and demagogues for this one war where gas warfare's outlawed

[@Kancole12]

yet it is sad that we never make Feb 3 to March 3 a holiday or a national day to remember those who fell to liberate Manila city, and as a filipino it's such a sad sight to see something like this isn't being remembered well

[@MANG0_.yum1]

I am just a filipino child but watching this makes me understand the truth

[@aloyad71]

To the people of the Philippines , trust no one but yourselves, only us can changed Philippines . Don't let history repeat itself, we been used by other countries multiple times for their own benefits, it's time for all Filipinos to stand up and let our voices be heard. Sulong Pilipinas ,Mabuhay Pres. Du30.

[@AmeMarkXVII]

kung nagtagalog ka nalang hindi ka na nahirapan .. mga DDS talaga

[@aloyad71]

@@AmeMarkXVII Is that an insult? Let me tell you something , not all Filipinos is comfortable speaking or writing in Tagalog . Bisdak ☝!

[@sims_leaf4824]

@@AmeMarkXVII Excuse me pero walang koneksyon ang lengwahe sa laman nang gusto nitong ipahayag....mga DILAWAN talaga😏

[@facelesstrader1351]

Remember, it was a democrat party-led (and majority) congress who initiated and approved the rescinding of that promise.

[@briancooper2112]

My grandfather a member of 11th airborne. The japenese use civilians as cover. All the building were turned into fortresses.

[@woodystreeservicePNW]

My grandfather was in the battle of manila he passed in 2004 but i still have a medal he was awarded from the Philippine government for liberating the country. He never really talked about it

[@sariho4955]

US when in need speaks beautiful lies..

[@timbom8278]

Are you high ?

[@pierregutierrez9372]

@@timbom8278 I think it's more than obvious. 👌

[@timbom8278]

@@pierregutierrez9372 👌

[@timbom8278]

Sari ho ...is that sorry ho in English?

[@pierregutierrez9372]

@@timbom8278 Huh? 🤔

[@cifsman]

and today young filipino praise japanese like crazy.

[@cifsman]

@Marc Jx yes i agree but filipinos should never forget what japanese did to them. And don't forget imperial japan still live until today.

[@Nick_SlavaUkraini]

I work and am friends with a huge group of philippinos and their hatred towards the Japanese runs deep. The older they are, the stronger the hatred. I cant speak for natives though, only what I know about western philippinos.

[@keikohinata6094]

Japan: helps Philippines economic growth US government: thinks Philippines is still their colony

[@Nick_SlavaUkraini]

@Marc Jx ya from where I'm from. Their first and second gen immigrants. The younger ones dont have as strong as feelings but the older Filipinos get mad just talking about the Japanese.

[@WizKasipa]

Forgiven but not forgotten 🙂

[@michaelsuarez6901]

That's how unfair the Americans treat their allies! After the war Japan, Germany, Italy, korea and now Vietnam received compensation!

[@TheStandardBearer]

THANK YOU! ❤

[@simpleo7223]

The liberation of Manila was a mistake! In the end the only thing it achieved was a superficial victory for the Americans. They could've avoided all that death and destruction by going straight to Japan but MacArthur insisted because of his "I Shall Return" promise. In the end the Filipinos lost everything even our dignity. That event made us all into animals!

[@MrTagahuron]

SimpLeo hogwash

[@kennethandres7734]

Exactly. It was all to feed Macarthur's ego.

[@diosdadosantiago3360]

It was part of a sweep. It began in Leyte. Pomp and ceremony for the "I shall return" publicity stunt for 5star Gen. already held there as well. Commander of the imperial Japanese army in Manila is about to surrender but was overwhelmed and killed by some of his junior officers who refused to surrender. The rest is history.

[@diosdadosantiago3360]

And my countrymen at that time didn't lose their dignity nor turned into animals like you said. Shame on you.

[@diosdadosantiago3360]

@Marc Jx See a psychiatrist before it's too late. You're definitely sick.