Gratitude demonstration

Title

Language

English

Source

The City Gazette II (4) February 16, 1943

Year

1943

Subject

Philippines--Relations--Japan

Philippines--History--Japanese occupation, 1942-1945.

Philippines--Politics and government--20th century

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

GRATITUDE DEMONSTRATION LIEUTEHA:NT-GENERAL Sizuiti Tanaka, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Forces, on February 8, witnessed the enthusiastic demonstration by 300,000 marching Filipinos expressing their gratitude, homage and loyalty to Japan for her unparalleled generosity in placing independence within their grasp. For more than an hour, they passed before General Tanaka in the reviewing stand in orderly groups to express their joy to the Iml?erial Japanese Forces for eliminating western domination permanently from the Philippines in order to make possible the realization of their ambition to be a free nation. The people began· to gather at the Luneta and its environs as early as 2 o'clock in the afternoon; When the parade actually started at 4 o'clock both the old' and .. the new Luneta were a sea of faces. For Cooperation They marched united to "reaffirm our determination to cooperate to the ful~est extent with the Japanese Military Administration for the realization of Japan's fundamental objectives in waging this present war, and for the early grant of our independence" as expressed in a resolution they unanimously approved. Chairman Jorge B. Vargas received a resounding ovation in his speech when he called upon "the Filipino people gathered in solemn assemblies throughout the Philippines to make a solemn and unforgettable consecration of their lives, their fortunes, their energies, their constant efforts and their unhesitating sacrifies to the sacred ideal of freedom." Most conspicuous in the crowds were the workingmen and workingwomen. The lack of transportation facilities aid not prevent the people from coming, most of them walking long distances. The afternoon of the parade was cool. There was a gentle breeze from the sea to make the throngs comfortable. The parade started when Lieutenant-General Tanaka, accompanied by his staff, arrived at 4 o'clock, preceded a few minutes before by the representatives of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Parade At the head of the parade were Chairman Vargas and the members of the Philippine Executive Commission. The Commissioners were followed by Chief Justice Yulo and the associate justices of the Supreme Court and the members of the Philippine Council of State. • As each of these groups arrived in front of the grandstand, they faced right, st•od at attention and bowed, and then proceeded to the grandstand to take their seats. They were followed by several companies of Constabulary trainees, who marched past the stand in precise steps.. Then came the personnel of the Office of the Chairman of the Executive Commission, marching behind their fl.oat which depicted the Filipino youth and which was later cited for honorable mention. A quotation from Rizal in Tagalog as follows: "Itingala ang aliwalas mong noo-Kabataan Filipino," meaning "Hold high thy brow serene-Fair hope of my Fatherland" was on both sides of the fl.oat. Next came the fl.oat of the Department of the Interior. Symbolic of the department's task to maintain peace and order, a flock of doves was released as the float passed the grandstand. The floats that followed were those of the Department of Finance, De- _ partment of Justice, and Department of Education, Health and Public Welfare. The last fl.oat was preceded by a large number of women dressed in balintawak. Representing Japan giving the Philippines her independence, the float of the Departm~nt of Education, Health and Public Welfare depicted Nippon holding a· large bolo and cutting off the chain of bondage which held the Philippines, represented by a woman, to a post. On both sides of the fl.oat was the caption: "Independence of the Philippines in the shortest time possible-Tozyo." The float received honorable mention. There were 21 floats in all, including tho.se offered by the Manila Sinbun-sya, the City of Manila, Department of Public Works and Communications, the KALIBAPI, which was adjudged first place, the Nacoco, the Philippine National Bank, which obtained an honorable mention, the Naric, the National Development Company, Jai-Alai, the Manila Jockey Club, Philippine Wines and Liquors Association, Cebu Portland Cement Company, Mafran, and Gonzalo Puyat & Sons. Besdes its float, the City of Manila was fully represented .Presenting one of the largest groups. A feature of Manila's representation was representing each district a tiny float built on a push cart. · The KALIBAPI float was awarded the first prize by a jury composed of Chief Justice Yulo, Co:i:nmissioner Claro M. Recto and Consul Zitaro Kihara. The float, symbolizing Filipino unity, showed a group of barrio folk carrying a house, which is a common [ 109] spectacle in the rural districts of the country when all neighbors come to the aid of a man who is moving his abode. When KALIBAPI • Director-General Benigno S. Aquino spoke in Dagupan the other day, he made reference to such a daily spectacle as symbolizing the spirit of the KALIBAPI. The Chinese and the Indian communities were also represented by large delegations while the Manila Fire Department made a spectacular show, with the fire engines running at full speed and with their sirens blaring. Neighborhood Associations One of the groups that took a conspicuous . part in the demonstration represented the various di.Strict and neighborhood associations being created in the city. Led by their chiefs, 12 units of the district and neighborhood associations participated in the parade. The participants wore barong Tagalog and balintawak. The market vendors, who came in a long and unbroken line of men and women who feed the city every day, were the tailenders of the parade which ended at 5: 30. The Manila Metropolitan Constabulary handled the parade efficiently. The flow of the procession was as fast as could be expected. The crowd was well behaved. There was always room for army and navy cars and trucks to carry out their duties without delay. The ceremonies started immediately after the last marcher had passed the grandstand. With Captain Jose B. Laurel, III serving as announcer, the crowd executed the various numbers of the program with precision. The program opened with the crowd saluting the representatives of the Imperial Japanese Forces, following which everybody stood at attention while the Constabulary Band played the Kimigayo. Receiving orders from the announcer, the crowd turned about face and bowed in the direction of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. A minute of silent prayer was observed for the war dead ~nd for the victory of Japan. The· solemn ceremonies over, Commissioner of the Interior Jose P. Laurel, in his introductory remarks, said in part as follows: - "After the fall of Manila into the hands of the victorious Imperial Japanese Forces, Premier General Hideki Tozyo, speaking before the 80th session of the Japanese Imperial Diet, solemnly pledged to grant the Filipino people the honor of independence. Barely a year thereafter, he reiterated that solemn pledge and declared: '. . . on condition that further tangible evidence of cooperation is actively demonstrated it ~s ·contemplated to put into effect the statement made previously on the question of Philippine independence in the shortest possible time.' Being a spontaneous ·and solemn declaration of policy towards ' the Philippines, subsequently explained and definsd by the highest Nippon leaders in our country, and supported by historical and traditional Nippon friendship and brotherly feeling towards us, the Filipino people, this pledge should be taken by the entire nation as a token of the highest expression of sincerity on the part of the Japanese Government and people. From the Beginning "Since the dawn of our history, our forefathers have manifested their unselfish love for freedom. Philippine history is a stirring and impressive saga of heroic deeds of Filipino patriots and heroes in their repeated attempts to free a weak and subjugated people. It is for this love of freedom that Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Antonio Luna, Gregorio del Pilar and other revolutionary leaders gave their lives in the fields of battle; it is for this love of freedom that Del Pilar, Lopez Jaena, Panganiban and other propagandists died in poverty and hardship in foreign lands far from the warmth of their homes and the loving caresses of their belowed ones; and it is for this same love of freedom that Rizal, Burgos and other Filipino martyrs unhesitatingly offered their precious lives. Yes, indeed, it is because of this love of freedom that numberless anonymous Filipino patriots rose in arms, first against Spain and later against the United States of America. Yet despite. the heroism and sacrifices of these brave and glorious Filipinos, that freedom was not achieved." Chairman Vargas, who was introduced by Commissioner Laurel, then stood up to deliver the principal address of the occasion. (The complete text of Chairman Vargas' speech is printed in this issue.) [ 110] Director-General Aquino, of the KALIBAPI, then ascended a special platform nearer the crowd and read the Tagalog and the English versions of a resolution of the Filipino people, expressing their profound and undying gratitude for the reiteration of Japan's determination to grant independence to the Philippines in the shortest possible time. As Mr. Aquino read the Tagalog text, each paragrap of the resolution was greeted with applause. The Japanese text was read by Consul Kihara. Addressing Commissioner Laurel, Director-General Aquino asked that the resolution be put to a vote. Commissioner Laurel asked the crowd to signify its approval by shouting three Mabuhays. The resolution was unanimously carried. Resolution of Gratitude W 'HEREAS, Premier General Hideki Tozyo of Japan, in his recent address to the Impe~ial Diet reaffirmed Japan's determination to grant independence to the Philippines in the shortest possible time on condition fiiat the Filipinos fully and actively cooperate with Japan in the establishment of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. "WHEREAS, the freedom of independence of the Philippines have always been the supreme aspiration of the Filipino people; "Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by us, the Filipino people publicly assem~led at Manila, Philippines, this eighth day of February, 1943, to express, as we do , hereby express, our profound and undying gratitude for Dai Nippon Premier's solemn statement to grant the Philippines her independence in the shortest possible time; and "RESOLVED FURTHER, That we, the Filipino people, reaffirm our determination to cooperate to the fullest extent' with the Japanese Military Administration for the realization of Japan's fundamental objectives in waging this present war, and for the early grant of our national independence." The Japanese text was turned over to Chairman Vargas who formally presented it to General Tanaka. The playing of the Song for the Creation of the New Philippines by the Constabulary Band and the shouting of three cheers of Banzai, led by Chairman Vargas, closed the ceremonies, which ended shortly after 6 o'clock. [ 111]

pages

109-111

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