War Through the Eyes of the Child

World War II was an event that disrupted the lives of everyone, including children. Thousands needed to evacuate from towns and cities to move to safer grounds and had to adjust to separation from family and friends. Many of those who stayed, endured bombing raids, surprise inspections, and were injured or made homeless. Most schools closed, food was scarce, and buildings were destroyed. In this exhibition, we follow the experiences of children who have gone through the war: vendors, evacuees, internees and survivors. We also highlight individual stories specifically, the story of Martin Bantug, a Filipino teen who helped the Huks and the story of Teedie Cowie Woodcock, an American kid who was incarcerated in the UST internment camp from 1942-1945. We aim to give importance to these kids' lives: their contributions, their creativity and resilience during the time of the war, and their stories which reflects the different versions of humanity.

American teachers came in waves and they taught adults and children how to read and write. The first wave of public school teachers arrived in 1901 when 600 of them traveled aboard the ship called USS Thomas. These first public school teachers were called the Thomasites. 

On December 8, 1941, everything abruptly changed due to the bombing of Manila. The Second World War reached the Philippines. Children and their families were forced to flee and evacuate to nearby rural towns. Some, were even separated from each other. Schools were closed and buildings were destroyed. The prices of daily commodities also hiked up and food supply became scarce.

In 1942, the Japanese incarcerated American families and their allies in internment camps. The Santo Tomas internment camp in particular, housed 7000 individuals. 400 of them were children. 

Hundreds of men and women joined the guerillas, including teenagers.These guerilla units were organized strategically all over the country in resistance against the Imperial Japanese forces to fight for freedom and defend the Philippines.

During the war, children also helped out in earning for their respective families so that they can survive and they remained to be productive. Some sold fresh produce and became food peddlers and livestock vendors. Others recycled supplies like glass and nails for it to be repurposed.   

Right after the surrender of Japan marking the end of the war, Japanese civilians, including children, were also displaced in the countries that they invaded. Some also obtained physical wounds and injuries inflicted on them during the battles prior to their surrender. 

After the war ended, children needed to adjust until family and school life normalized. Some had the opportunity to join their relatives and friends again. Parents returning from the resistance groups, forces, or internment camps became  strangers to their own children who never had the opportunity to fully know them. Some kids tried to go back to school while others remained workers or vendors because of the poverty brought by the war.

Even post-war, its lessons remain to be powerful for children who lived through it and for us, as outside witnesses to this difficult part of history.