Philippines' Resistance: The Last Allied Stronghold in the Pacific

By: Klytie Xu, Stacey Anne Baterina Salinas

Narrated by: Megan Scharlau

The people of the Philippine Islands during the early half of the 20th century experienced various waves of Western imperialism, two wars of attempted secession from Western powers, and two world wars. And yet the Philippine Islands and its people have received only small subheadings in many American textbooks and histories.

The wartime experiences from the perspectives of the Philippine people have gone unnoticed and have become overshadowed by the sociopolitical dominating legacy of American figures like General MacArthur, leader and historical symbol of the Pacific Theater during World War II. MacArthur’s famous phrase “I came through and shall return” is etched into every facet of World War II historical narratives, textbooks, and monuments that pay tribute to the Allied forces in the retaking of the Pacific from the Japanese. But It is the lesser known people and leaders of the Philippine resistance against the Axis powers whose efforts and contributions allowed for the effective and speedy return of MacArthur’s military forces.

The Philippine guerrilla resistance consisted of a diverse cast of Filipino men and women, ethnic and indigenous minorities, American and European immigrants and soldiers, young and old, rich and poor, from farmer to politician. The various units of Philippine guerrillas, their tactics, military resources, and vigor to survive and end the Japanese maltreatment of the Philippine peoples paint the Pacific Theater from 1941-1945 as desperate, dark, and bloody for Asian communities throughout East and Southeast Asia. But their resourcefulness, cooperative efforts to collaborate and network with MacArthur across the South Pacific, and massive grassroots liberation movement directly point to the remarkable value that the Philippine Underground Resistance proved to be in aiding the Allies’ ability to retake the Pacific.

©2017 Pacific Atrocities Education (P)2017 Pacific Atrocities Education

Great listen

Great general book on the guerrilla forces fighting for the Philippines even when MacArthur and the entire US military had given up hope.

Positive Review

Such a fun audio book. Many thought provoking questions that are appropriate for all ages.

Good one

A great story on how the Philippines finally had enough after the Imperial Japanese Army's invasion and took the matter into their own hands. I cannot believe the United States promised so much for Asia but did so little. Yet, after the war, they claimed to be a hero

Happy to listen!

Unprecedented Audiobook to explore and learn. Extremely Knowledgeable and direct. especially point by point data. I upheld this Audiobook and I was not capable need anything over to Audiobook at it again. Recommended..

Extremely good

Narrator has soothing voice and I'm usually asleep before the end. Love this! I recommend!