By Mike Villa-Real
Some months back, we witnessed the launch of the coffee-table Book “Mandirigma—Uniforms and Equipment of The Filipino Warrior, 1935-1945.” Packed with high-resolution, large format photographs, featuring both re-enacted scenes shot from 2009 to 2021 and actual vintage World War II pictures, this is a book that many Filipinos would appreciate, whether you’re young or old, a history buff or a student.
Unlike the stories from the Philippine Revolution, many of us still don’t have an idea of how the Filipino soldier in the Battle of Bataan looked like or the gear they carried with them, or the guerrilla fighting in the mountains of Mindanao. The truth is that they were as diverse as Filipinos are today. From the educated boys in urban cities, to the bolo men of North Luzon and the tribesmen in South Mindanao, our Filipino defenders were as diverse as we are today. What brought them together was the cause to fight for freedom and the defense of the motherland.
The book gives us a glimpse into the lives of hundreds of thousands of men and women who served and gave their lives for the country during World War II. Unknown to many, there were numerous military units such as the USAFFE, the Philippine Army, the Philippine Constabulary, the Philippine Scouts, as well as hundreds of guerrilla groups all around the archipelago from the Commonwealth period, the Japanese Occupation and the Liberation period.
Mandirigma is written by history enthusiasts Albert Labrador, Tony Feredo, Donn Fernandez and Dondi Limgenco; and edited by Dr. Ricardo T. Jose of the UP History Dept. The World War II era photographs were vetted by several experts including Dr. Jose and BGen. Resty Aguilar (retired) who is now Executive Director of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Having seen many monuments and re-enactments of World War II battle scenes by well meaning groups, there are usually more than a few inaccuracies. I suppose it’s not their fault as many of us don’t have a reference to guide us.
With each of the uniforms researched and studied meticulously, Mandirigma can be a great reference for schools or organizations, even production houses, that want to do historical re-enactments. For the ordinary reader, the book gives an overview of the tumultuous decade that began with the establishment of the Philippine Commonwealth up to the end of World War II. It even has a section on the Japanese soldiers’ uniforms and equipment.
As the nation celebrates National Heroes Day, the book Mandirigma should give us some great reading material as we remember our World War Heroes. Most of them after all were simple folk, farmers,
fishermen, teachers who bravely responded to the call to defend their country.
Unfortunately, copies of Mandirigma quickly sold out after the first printing run. The good news is plans to do a second printing are happening as we speak. It would be best to reserve a copy at the Mandirigma Facebook page just to be sure.
(Mike Villa-Real is currently the National Executive Vice-President of the VFP Sons & Daughters Association Inc. (VFP-SDAI), an organization composed of direct descendants of Filipino World War II veterans.)