‘As many eyes as possible’: Battle of Manila documentary aims to remind youth of history

There is much that is remarkable about the documentary “Manila 1945: The Rest of the Story,” the sequel to 2007's “Manila 1945: Forgotten Atrocities.”



For one thing, it's a crowdfunding success story, having overshot its initial Kickstarter goal of $10,000 by $2,700, which is around a half million in Philippine pesos. For another, it's a low-budget documentary that uses animation and motion graphics combined with the fast-paced quality of a YouTube video, and the parts that aren't footage from the '40s were shot with a DSLR Canon camera.

Furthermore, its director, editor, and animator, Joel Nathan “Bani” Logroño, is 22 years old.

“I grew up in California, and there wasn't much on the Battle of Manila in history classes,” the International Academy of Film and Television graduate told GMA News Online. “But I found out that students here don't know much about it either.”

“I'm not as close to our heritage as I'd like to be. My doing this film was my way of getting closer to my Philippine side,” he added.

Released side by side with the documentary was a coffee table book containing more photos and articles about the Japanese Occupation. Very timely, as the Battle of Manila had its 70th anniversary on February 3 – in fact, for this very occasion, some of the survivors flew to the Philippines to see the site of their captivity once more.

Historical venue

The Old Senate Session Hall at the National Museum was the perfect place to hold a gala screening of “Manila 1945: The Rest of the Story,” a documentary on the atrocities committed by the Japanese Imperial Army during the Battle of Manila in World War II.

For one, the room survived the Bombing of Manila; its pillars and carvings stand mostly as they have been since the day it was inaugurated in 1926.

“We feel the sorrow more keenly than our colleagues,” said National Museum Director Jeremy Barns. “For the museum lost most of its collection to the war.”

The gala screening was attended by foreign dignitaries from Mexico, the US, and Germany, as well as survivors of American, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, and Filipino descent.

Many of those who gave speeches before the documentary aired shared their stories of the war, whether their own or those of their parents, from a woman watched her uncle's beheading to a US Navy man sending his sister a postcard saying how glad he was to be transferred away from an anticipated fight in the Philippines...from Pearl Harbor, one day before it was bombed.

Philippine Veterans' Bank President Roberto de Ocampo described the documentary as, “A celebration of the heroism and indefatigable spirit of the Filipino people under duress.”

“Not only should you give them [the youth] stories, but you should also ask them the question, 'Do you remember what they fought for?'” he said in his speech. “They fought not only for freedom, but the dream of the Philippines standing as the 'Pearl of the Orient' once again.”

He went on to say that before the viciousness of World War II, the city of Manila had been in a golden age, that it had been the number one city in South East Asia in every respect.

'Highly educational'

“The film talks about how knowing about the past will affect the future,” said Logroño. He explained that the documentary's photos, sound bites, and interviews with experts are interspersed with the current events of the year it was shot and completed: 2013, which saw an escalation in territorial disputes with China, the Zamboanga siege, and the devastation wrought by Typhoon Yolanda.

“The main goal is to let as many Filipinos and even Americans see it, as many eyes as possible,” he said. “The target audience is the youth—that's why the film touches on violence in video games. Not many know the seriousness of war.”

Logroño also said that there are plans for school tours, beginning in Metro Manila, and to take the roadshow around the Philippines and maybe even in America. Experts and historians have recommended the documentary as highly educational material.

Executive Producer Sylvia Lichauco said in a short speech that apart from the roadshow, “We got an offer from Manolo Quezon to get this film online. It's been endorsed by the CHED and we are just waiting on DepEd.”

“My main goal is to raise the quality of Philippine cinema. I want the Filipino people to think more through my films,” said Logroño, whose next project may be another history-related documentary. “I think that to be the best version of yourself, you need to look at your roots.” — LBG, GMA News