Bienvenido Santos

Japan invades the Philippines

The Philippines during 1941 was to the eyes of the Japanese Empire a perfect strategic
location for their campaign of conquest of South Eastern Asia. Not only was it a perfect
location to station troops to launch further assaults on positions like Singapore and
Australia. It was also a resource rich country which would further fuel the Japanese war
machine and feed the Japanese people at home. Though there was a substantial American
Force stationed throughout The Philippines at the time it was both for the strategic
location and resources which governed the Japanese decision to invade the islands.
Character
Japanese Soldiers - they were called as "Japs" and "beasts" that were in men's cloth.

Selmo - a boy who is scared of the Japs and often dream about them chasing him. He
don't understand everything but he knows the truth that the Japanese soldiers were
invading them and taking away the smiles villagers once worn.

Cario - Selmo' s brother. He has a wife and the son but he' s not always present because
he is the "leader of men". He needs to lead them to fight against the "beasts".

Selmo' s father - he believes that there is still hope that they can live normally again.

Selmo' s mother - Cario and Selmo' s mother who always prepare food for them and
attend to their needs, and one of those women who always pray.

Nena - wife of Cario who cries a lot, weeping for her lost husband.
Characters
Nonoy - son of Nena and Cario

Maid - she always giggle and Selmo thinks she' s crazy.

Tiong Matias - father of Marta and Bundio who held the torch as they take the trail to
Selmo' s house.

Marta - elder sister of Bundio. She came with her family one night at Selmo' s house.

Bundio - younger brother of Marta.

Father Julian - an American priest who serves as the people' s messenger of faith. He
shares them wisdom and encourage them in times of difficulties.

Celo - a father of a child who consult Father Julian because his son is not well.

Cardo - son of Celo who sadly died and was prayed by Father Julian.
The Japanese soldiers were noisy when they came to our little bario. Their laughter and
their talk resounded through the Sinicaran Hills, which lie at the foot of Mount Mayon.
Below is the town of San Jose where we bought our pretty things that could be had for
money. The Japanese had taken town and there was more shooting in the streets, no more
things to buy. We had kept to our homes when we heard that they were coming . We
peeped through our windows and watched them come, expecting the worst. They were
loud and bared their teeth in something that resembled smiles, and we were filled with
fear. We had nowhere to go. Some of the people from the town had gone to hills. And my
father's nipa house stood at the branching of the trails, squat,and low, and sturdy.
Work had started in the place when the Japanese came. Many people were afraid, and we
heard all sorts of news.
On the parts of the muddy trail were the fields now planted with corn, hemmed on all
sides by coconut trees. I remembered my brother, Cario, who used to say that I have a
chicken heart the memory of a turtle.
I wondered where he was, for he was lost in the middle of the forest he knew by heart -
the forest of Lafonte. He left his wife, Nena, and us, his family.
Japanese soldiers were all over the place, smoking and talking loudly.
Me, my friends and almost all the people were anticipating for Christmas when the
enemy came.
There was shooting in the town and men came hurrying up in the night where frightful
stories were heard. My mother, who used to kneel in front of the image of Santa Rosa in
the altar room of our house, continuously prayed along with all the elders in the
community.
One night, as Mother called Nena for sleep, the latter refused for she could see a torch
light coming towards our house. Mother, with the anticipation that it could be my brother,
hurriedly lighted up a lamp despite of father's hesitation.
But to their dismay, it was not my brother Cario. It was a group of Father Julian, an
American siding the Filipinos, Tiong Matias and his children Maria and Bundio.
We all shared a meal of boiled corn, the crop we can only plant in the fields. Later on,
there was a huge number of people in the house, listening to Father Julian's prayers and
preaching messages.
There was a long drought during the summer, and we feared the December harvest would
be poor. Fortunately, only few drops of rain were fell.
It was in August when my brother Cario came home in the middle of the night, very ill,
and there he met Nena, who had given birth to their child.
Cario had pleaded that they should fight, but prayers should continuously be brought to
the ears of our Lord.
And rains came after.
In December once again, when the harvest was ready, it was poor. And then something
happened. It happened quite suddenly like many things in those days.
Suddenly, like tears, news broke out for the deaths in Lafonte.
I dreamt about them, for my fear of them suddenly burst out like flame.
The Japanese soldiers came in trucks, took away our harvest and drove away. Father
Julian told us that we should be patient, that the forest is abundant.
On Sunday was a usual gathering for us and Father blessed us all - leaving us in a light
mood and happy with the blessing.
In the middle of the mass, he told us that he was and will ever be one of us, and that our
patience would bring us forth more blessings.
Lafonte became the graveyard of the Japanese, and all the women were grieved with fear.
The farmers then sowed the fields.
In a few months, the rice stalks would wave in the sun and receive the rain in the
splendor of a good harvest. Time passed and the Japanese saw that it was almost
harvesting time. They said they will come back on Wednesday.
We all worked in the rain, under the trees, and bearing harvest again. And the shadow
lengthened, darkness came upon the hills again, but everybody kept on working,
harvesting.
Before Wednesday, the crops had been harvested, and all the men stood tensed and
waited for the Japanese's anger.
The Japanese were expected the next day. It was a miracle they have not appeared earlier.
Suddenly that night, the darkness clouded the skies and there were distant mumblings.
Lightings flashed and the hills shook with thunderclaps.
Fields flooded, and it all went on, and on and on...
"Now let them come. We shall say the floods have swept the grain away!" voices of the
people were jubilant and pleasant. The women knelt weeping in altar rooms. Father
turned to me, smiled and said, "Now go out in the rain, Selmo, and stay there as long as
you want. It's God's rain, my son."
I have always loved to play outside during rainy days and God's was cold and heavy and
it was everywhere.
Where is the setting of the story?
What is the condition of the Filipinos during Japanese occupation?
What Filipino traits and values are reflected in the story?
How did the people showed their faith in God?
Why is it entitled The Early Harvest?
What is the significance of the last scene?
Presented by:
Alex Ilagan