2025 International Conference

February 18-19, 2025
Lyceum of the Philippines University, Intramuros, Manila

Program Schedule

DAY 1 - February 18, 2025

8:00-8:30 — Registration

8:30-9:30 — Opening Ceremonies

National Anthem
— Lyceum Chorale

Welcome Address
— Atty. Robredo P. Laurel, LPU President

Opening Speech
— Dr. Regalado T. Jose, NHCP Chairman

Conference Overview
— Dr. Ricardo T. Jose, Convenor

Keynote Address
— James Zobel, Archivist and Historian,
MacArthur Memorial Library and Museum

9:30-10:45 — Panel 1 - Early Philippine Campaign

Moderator: Anthony S. Feredo

Quinine from Bukidnon helped Allies in WWII
— Rene Michael D. Baños

Bataan Propaganda on the U.S. Homefront
— Jerome Kleiman

Pasay POW Camp: A School Turned Hell
— Mark Anthony B. Cabigas

Horyo: The Account of WWII American POWs in Tarlac
— Rhonie C. Dela Cruz

Q&A

10:45-11:00 — Short Break

11:00-12:00 — Panel 2 - The Japanese Occupation

Moderator: Karl Friedrik K. Poblador, Ph.D.

Wartime Atrocities of the Oie Butai in Negros Oriental
— Justin Jose Bulado, Ph.D.

“If Rizal Were Alive”: Rizal as Japanese Wartime Propaganda
— John Lee Candelaria, Ph.D.

Espionage in WW2 - The Manzano Memoirs
—Craig Scharlin

Q&A

12:00-1:00 — Lunch Break

1:00-1:45 — Panel 2A - The Japanese Occupation (Breakout)

Moderator: Albert C. Labrador

The Neighborhood Associations in Manila, 1942 - 1944
— Lito S. Lacaba Jr.

“We Survived the Unthinkable”: Children in Internment Camps
— Olivia Anne M. Habana, PhD

Q&A

1:00-1:45 — Panel 2B - The Japanese Occupation (Breakout)

Moderator: Katherine G. Lacson, Ph.D.

Extinguishing a Spark: The Impact of WWII on Philippine Scientific Efforts
— Diana Marie R. Aguila & Lorenzo Thomas M. Lazaro

Nutrition, Indigeneity, and Food Substitutes During WWII
— Rad Xavier R. Sumagaysay

Q&A

1:45-2:45 — Panel 3 - Rise of The Resistance

Moderator: Sandra C. Ebrada, Ph.D.

Dauntless: The 1st and 2nd Filipino Regiment
— Marie S. Vallejo

Wha Chi & The Filipino-Chinese Guerrillas
— Aquino Lee

The Panay Incident - Spy Submarine Missions
— Peter C. Parsons

Q&A

2:45-3:00 — Short Break

3:00-3:45 — Panel 3A - Rise of the Resistance (Breakout)

Moderator: Karl Friedrik K. Poblador, Ph.D.

Bulacan Military Area
— Jesse G. Caling

Lanao Guerrillas
— Faina C. Abaya-Ulindang, PhD

Q&A

3:00-3:45 — Panel 3B - Rise of the Resistance (Breakout)

Moderator: Sandra C. Ebrada, PhD

“Someone’s Son, Someone’s Brother”
— Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino

The Student Hero of Muñoz
— Joe Lawrence M. Mina

Q&A

3:45-4:30 — Book Launch

  • Foye and the Filipinos — Richard Foye

  • Every Ounce of Courage — Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino

  • Good Soldiers — Peter Parsons

  • Courage Amidst Chaos — Erwin Bonifacio

  • MacArthur: The Supreme Commander at War in the Pacific — James Zobel

Book Signing with Authors

  • Honor: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos – Desiree Benipayo

  • Dauntless – Marie Vallejo

  • Mandirigma – Albert Labrador, Tony Feredo

  • The Manzano Memoirs – Craig Scharlin

4:30-5:30 — Film Showing of “HONOR: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos”

Learn about the life, legacy, and martyrdom of one of the greatest Filipino heroes of WWII, Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos.

DAY 2 - February 19, 2025

8:00-8:30 — Registration

8:30-8:45 — Recap of Day 1 and Overview of Day 2

Dr. Ricardo T. Jose

8:45-9:45 — Panel 4 - Liberation

Moderator: David O. Lozada, PhD

Foye and the Filipinos - The Rescue of Lt. William Foye
— Richard Foye

Liberation for Whom? Calamba at the Tail End of WW2
— Jose Alberto L. Jimenez

The Philippine Civil Affairs Unit (PCAUs)
— Andrew D. Jones

Q&A

9:45-10:45 — Panel 5 - The Battle of Manila

Moderator: Karl Friedrik K. Poblador, PhD

Atrocity Reports
— Peter C. Parsons

The Bayview Hotel Atrocities
— John Stiegelmar

The Battle for UP Manila and Philippine General Hospital
— Inocencio Daniel C. Maramba, MD

Q&A

10:45-11:00 — Short Break

11:00-12:00 — Panel 6 - Post-War Problems and Issues

Moderator: Ricardo T. Jose, PhD

The Tokyo Trial and the Philippines
— Hitoshi Nagai, PhD

Peace Seeker: The Quirino Administration and Japan, 1948-1953
— John Matthew Q. Ching

Saving Philippine Heritage: The Roberts Commission papers
— Ian Christopher B. Alfonso

Q&A

12:00-1:00 — Lunch

1:00-1:40 — History Alive! - Educating through Storytelling 

A living portrayal of WW2 US Army Nurse Ruby Bradley
— Rebecca Park

1:40-2:40 — Panel 6A - Post-War Problems and Issues (Breakout)

Moderator: Katherine G. Lacson, Ph.D.

A Case Study of a Filipino “Comfort Woman” Applying for the “Atonement Projects” of the AWF
— Naoko Okimoto

Flowers 4 Lolas Campaign: Seeking Redress and Recognition for WWII Comfort Women
— Teresita Ang See

Sexual Slavery in the Philippines During WWII: What do the Archives Say / Not Say?
— Jose Mathew P. Luga

Q&A

1:40-2:40 — Panel 6A - Post-War Problems and Issues (Breakout)

Moderator: Anthony S. Feredo

Truman’s Role in Shaping American Policy on Filipino Veterans
— Lorenzo Thomas Lazaro

The Journey of Pastor P. Ilogon Sr.
— Rose Jay S. Vidal & Celyn J. Teatro

The Life of Pvt. Getulio Aumentado: Struggle and Recognition
— Nicole Margaret A. Villabroza

Q&A

2:40-3:00 — Round Table Discussion

James Zobel and American WWII Veterans Arthur Grabiner and John Hodges

3:00-3:15 — Short Break

3:15-4:15 — Panel 7 - Memorialization

Moderator: Albert C. Labrador

How Lubangeños Remember Onoda
— Aileen C. Ani

Problematizing Memories: Peace Literature and Victimhood
— Karl Ian U. Cheng Chua, Ph.D.

Transgender Inclusivity in Remembering WWII in the Philippines
— Gregorio R. Caliguia III

My Father’s Experiences in the Last Days of WWII
— Kazuko Tanimoto

Q&A

4:15-4:25 — Day 2 Synthesis

Dr. Ricardo T. Jose

4:25-4:45 — Closing Keynote

James Zobel, MacArthur Memorial Historian & Archivist

4:45-5:00 — Closing Ceremonies