Evening star., 1946-02-03
@be 9nrliol' &tai
War Aduentzres in Manila
Recalled BY Mckinley Girl
PRIZE CONTRIBUTION
Bv Mary Jane Sunderland, II,
McKfnley High School

Dp wary JUUt oWUuCEtUWU, ~ ,
Mckinley High School.
Muriel ISABELLA. Manila born
American citizen, entered Tech last
semester and during one Of her
Journalism classes described her ex-
Iperiences in the Philippine capital
during most Of the war.
Muriel was in school when the
principal announced the bombing OF
Pearl Harbor. Gen. Macarthur OH
cially confirmed the news.
THE Japs were marching in after
they had mercilessly bombed us. de-
spite the fact that Manila had been
declared an open city" Muriel re-
called, Because Of reports that the
Japs were molesting girls, my father
braided my hair, dressed me up as
a boy, and kept me in the attic for
quite a time"
Muriel worked In store on a road
over which American prisoners trav-
eled on their way to their work.
She always waved to them, giving
the V-for-Victory sign. Sometimes,
she threw food to them. After a
while, the prisoners were trusted
without guards. and they fell into
the habit of stopping by to talk with
Muriel.
Closest Call.
zone could always sense the feel
ing of being watched" she told US
Her closest call came when sleek
| limousine containing two Japs, an
M. P. and an interpreter, drove up
to the store. One Of the men seized
her and called her spy, saying she
was to be killed. Luckily, her father
came along and, as she put it, "He
knew how to take care of the sit
uation." Mr.. ISABELLA told the Japa-
nese that Muriel was merely child
of IA and did not know what she
was doing, that she was not IN her
right mind and really should be in
an institution. Apparently, the Japs
were satisfied, because they left. The
incident frightened Muriel so much
though, that she did not work in the
store for a whole month.
During this time, the people re-
manned calm on the surface, but the
lJaps knew very well that they were
holding secret meetings and carry
ing on underground activities in ar
attempt to overthrow them.
Mulriel was awakened one night by
her brother, who cried out: THE
house is on flre!"
Hide in Fields.
The house wasn't actually blaz-
ing, but Japs had unsuccessfully
tried to burn it with gasoline-soakeo
rags. They then tried the house
across the street and found better
success. The Sabellas knew they
couldn't remain in their home, sc
they grabbed whatever food anc
clothing they could and fed, They
hid that night in field in the
rain. In the morning the Japs re,
turned, shooting every one they
could find.
| The family stayed in the fiele
for three nights. and two days1with'
out food or water. 1t wasn't saft
to remain In one spot, so the,
crawled around a great deal. Th'
people, already quite depressed be-
cause their numbers were rapid!
decreasing, were encouraged a bi
when they heard that the Amer
leans were not far off. Proof o.
the Americans presence was some
K rations and cigarette packs.
To reach the Americans, small
moat had to be crossed. OF ths
original 5000 who had started ou
the night of the fire, only about 50(
reached the moat, and only abou
half that number survived the cross
ling. They had taken refuge in al
kinds of places: Holes, bitches
ruins and even churches, which
were mercilessly shelled.
Gum Is Tipoff.
Muriel said that every one wep
with Joy when they saw the Amer
leans. At first, however, they hae
i, mistaken the Yanks for German
because Of the fact that the Filipino
had not known Of the new styl'
j helmets. She added: Il noticed
one husky fellow chewing gum lik,
mad, so I just knew they wer'
Americans"
Il Mr.. ISABELLA, a veteran of tn
1 United States Navy in World War
was assistant to the American Trad
/ Commission in Manila for five years
and would have returned to thi
country in 1941 had it not been TO
! the outbreak of the war. He an,
his family finally got back las
May 2.
: While waiting for transportation
, Muriel had a chance to work witt
7 the Offlce of War Information. He
job was to type radio scripts TO
the propaganda station and proof
read some copies for the paper tina
was issued by the Army to provid
; accurate information for the news
hungry people.
Muriel intends to finish higl
school and college term, qualify a
foreign correspondent and return
: to Manila.