Civilian Stories of WWII, Kapangan, Benguet, Philippines August 10 –September 27, 2012 L: As long as you’re alive, we can pay. Only a few of us went to get reimbursement. I(24): How old were you when you got married? L: 25 years old. My missus was 3 years old during the war. I(25): What were the finances like? L: In 1945, a can of sardines cost P0.25 (25 centavos), P0.30 (30 centavos) for corned beef. I(26): Where did your money come from? L: Contract work with the farms. I(27): Who had farms? L: Amano Sison, Wallang, Battil, Benggala, Mauting. I(28): Did you hide any Chinese? L: Yes, those who evacuated. The owner of Dainty Restaurant, City Bakery, Hokkien Grocery. [to be validated] I(29): By the way, what clothes did you wear? L: Bahag. We only used pants when the people evacuated because the Ilocanos sold their pants. It cost P1.50. A bahag cost 15 centavos. I(30): Do you still have your bahag? L: No, I changed it to pants (laughter). Even the guerillas wore bahags. Few wore pants, like Dangwa, because he was a businessman. I(31): Did you see Molintas? L: Yes, at the Headquarters. I(32): Who else (leader) did you see? L: Philippine Scouts. Velasco from Kapapes, organized the 43rd. Velasco used to be in Tuplat, then he went to Utopia. Agayap from Central. Lt. Tiw-tiw from Tabao-ao. Lt Picasen from Kadtoy, neighbor of Dangwa) Molintas from Kabajo) who organized the 11th infantry. Lt. Galian, he had a younger brother, a sergeant. Dangwa, who organized the 12th infantry. I(33): Was anyone pulling rank? L: No. I(34): What made the men in Kapangan leaders and war heroes? L: [after much thinking], I don’t know. Do not be arrogant so that people will look up to you. I(35): How many children do you have? L: Six. One male. They all live here, except for one working in Hong Kong. I(36): What religion do you have? /marie balangue for S.E.E.D.S Inc (co-organizer for Asia-Pacific International Peace Memorial)
Page 8