WWII INTERVIEW

By: Angeline Mislang

Interviewed: Illuminada Ramos & Paul Pagarigan
When the war started...
Where did you live?
Manila, Philippines

How old were you?

8 years old

What was life like?

I was very curious They had to hide under their
house, but that did not stop her from trying to go
out to see what was happening. Her family was
wealthier than others, so they could afford the
little food there was left.
 What kind of food did you
eat?
There wasnt a lot of food, most of the
Japanese took all the food and
destroyed the land after. All we ate
was camote (Sweet potato) and sisid
rice (grains that fell in the river) It
smells bad.
 Do you remember I remember one time when I
anything specific? peeked, I saw the Japanese
I heard the planes above. It soldiers walking around my
started in the morning.We had neighborhood. They went into
to hide under the house. My our store down the street
father had to put like heavy looking for food.
pillows on top to be protected. I
was very curious, and always
tried to peep out. My Lola
would get mad at me and tell it
was very dangerous.
Did you understand what
was happening?
All I knew was that they were fighting.
I understood war, but not why. I knew
that the Japanese were cruel and
demanding people.

Do you think it had an effect on

your life today?
Yes. Very much. It was very hard. Many people were starving.
Thank God we had food. But I didnt want to eat the food we
had, it smelled bad.
School was closed. Stores were closed.
Saw many dead people. My neighbor's house was hit by a
shrapnel and they died. I prayed ours wasnt next

Even though very young at the time, she
had a vivid memory about what life was
like. Illuminada Ramos is 85 years old. But
her real birthday is unknown because her
birth certificate was damaged. We are not
sure of her actual birth date, around 1932
or 1933
When the war
started...
Where did you live?
Oahu, Hawaii

10 miles from Pearl harbor

How old were you?

8 years old

What was life like?

Family owned a hat & shoe shop. Father and
Grandfather were in the army, stationed at Schofield
Barracks. Down the street from where Paul lived.
Heavily influenced by them, he later enlisted in the
army
What kind of food
did you eat?

We were lucky we had our

own garden, we grew
eggplant, lima beans, sweet
potato, papaya, peanuts,
tomatoes, and we fished in the
reservoir next to our house.
We would catch catfish and
suckerfish.
My mom used to send me to
the beach to get some
seaweed, its full of iodine and
good for sickness.
 Do you remember
anything specific?
December 7, 1941. I remember my mom
telling me, Go to the store and buy a loaf of
bread. Take 9 cents off the dresser. I ran down
to the store, but then I heard airplanes flying
above...zoom zoom I ran home. I saw my
Grandpa rushing to put his army uniform on, I
asked him what was happening. There were
sirens and police, everyone in the streets
screaming and yelling. Very hectic. Then I heard
a loud boom! They had bombed Wheeler Field
where my Grandpa was headed. My parents
took me inside and told me to stay there with
my little sister and older brother.
Did you understand what
was happening?

Yes, I understood. I wasnt a dumb kid. I

spent a lot of my time at Schofield
Barracks with my father and grandfather,
so I knew a lot about war.

Do you think it had an effect on your life

today?

Absolutely, Influenced completely...how people

should be treated or represented. I learned Dont
let them put you down.
 Schofield Barracks

American Base located in Hawaii. Its main

purpose is to provide a base for the Army
dedicated to Pearl Harbor. Saw considerable
damage and casualties during the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor. The barracks suffered
collateral damage as it was right beside the
Wheeler Airfield. This happened during the first
phase of the Pearl Harbor Attack, which aimed to
disable the air defense system of the island. By
destroying much of the US warplanes in Oahu,
the Japanese were cleared to launch a virtually
efficient air raid on the US Navy anchored in
Pearl Harbor.
 Where they lived at the time

Pearl
Harbor
Manila,
Philippines