Infamy

65 years ago, Japan launched a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and forced the United States into World War II. I’m happy I managed to get this story into my show today.

I’ve always been intrigued by the war…probably because of how many members of my family have survived that period of of history. My thesis at Berkeley pivoted on the role of Filipinos in World War II. My friend John let me borrow several books about the warpropaganda against the Japanese. In high school, I met an Austrian woman who married a German officer in order to save the lives of Jews hiding in the servant quarters.

Maybe I would have studied to be a historian if I didn’t have this journalism bug up my ass. I enjoy pouring over stories about the people who experienced the war from all perspectives. One of my favorite books at St. Joesph was Farewell to Manzanar. In 2004, I’ve visited battlegrounds at Normandy. In 1999, my lola told me about watching my mom being carried by Japanese soldiers. In 1996, shot interviews with my Tito Jun and Tita Irma about how they lived through the Japanese occupation as grade school students. Some day, I’ll compile all these thoughts and observations into a documentary. I’d love to go back to Europe and the Philippines and film other war grounds. I want to interview more family members before time makes the memories fade. I want to record their stories for the next generation, for my kids when we have them.

OK — so who wants to help pay for travel and my shooting equipment? Yeah, I might have a better chance pitching my ideas to a production company. Some day.