Who are these WWII Comfort Women?

"World War II "Comfort Women" are the 200,000 girls and women abducted by the Japanese Imperial Army during WWII forced to experience a life of systematic rape and enslavement. They are now mostly in their 80's and they are dying. They were taken from Korea, China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan. In the Philippines, historians say there were about 1000 girls abducted. LILA Pilipina is one of three major organizations of Filipina survivors."

I honestly and shamefully never heard of this before, but after finding and reading FRIENDS FOR LOLAS blog, I had to bring it here in Filipina Moms. I hope these Lolas will eventually get some justice on what is left of their dignities.

Here is a video of Lola Dolor - a survivor of WWII Japanese Rape Camp


The next one is a video and message that was sent by LILA Pilipina to the US Congress. According to the FRIENDS FOR LOLAS blog, The House Res. 121 has been passed since this message. Great news but more has to be done. There is also a list in the FRIENDS FOR LOLAS blog of what else we can do to help this process.

"During World War II, over 1000 Filipina girls and women were abducted by the Japanese Imperial Army and forced to serve as “Comfort Women.” 173 of those women have come forward and for 15 years, the women of Liga ng mga Lolang Pilipina, have been fighting for justice. Since stepping forward to reveal their stories, 54 of the 173 women have died. We can only imagine what has become of the women who never revealed their stories.

Now, as the U.S. Congress and House Resolution 121 make their way to the House floor, the women of LILA Pilipina send a message of hope and thanksgiving. The support of the U.S. Congress and American citizens brings the women one step closer to justice.Should Congress and its 168 co-sponsors pass House Res. 121, the women of LILA Pilipina intend to campaign even harder to bring about justice and healing before it’s too late."

And now, below is the video of our Korean Lolas asking for help in passing of the same House Resolution.



Let us help spread awareness everywhere.

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UPDATE --- Just as I was checking LABAN FOR LOLAS today again, a press release was just posted about the FilAm group called Babae and the Korean American organization called Sahngnoksu are launching a nationally coordinated campaign today to demand justice for Comfort Women. So I hope you will go there now and read.

Slipping into something funny

Just a little laugh for us Filipina Moms. I discovered Happy Slip Productions awhile back. She is a one woman comedic act that videotapes her very Filipino topics. The videos are quite fun and embedded my favorite below.

Why happy slip? Her explanation that I copied from her website was plenty funny in itself.

"While growing up, my mom was always quick to remind me to wear a half slip with my skirts. She would say “Your hap eslip!! Be sure to wear your hap eslip!!”. So I grew up thinking - the term was always “happy slip”, until I was corrected by classmates who asked me if I had a sad slip as well".

In Memoriam

My Godson Mark Ryan Caguioa was injured in Iraq a few weeks ago, and because of extensive injuries he passed away this past Thursday May 24th. I’m still numb and in disbelief since I found out on Sunday morning. His Mother; Lulay (my childhood bestfriend), called me on Sunday and I still have the same chill on my spine when she said that he has passed on. I wept in silence, but I wish I had more comforting words to say to her– but at that very moment I don’t have any. What comfort can I really offer to a grieving Mom who has just lost her firstborn?

Lulay and I were best buddies since we were in 6th grade and she had him when she was at a young tender age of 15. We were so young, but we shared many happy stories and hopeful dreams about Mark. I was so excited to be named a Godmother at that age! I actually had to hide the whole thing from my strict parents because I knew they would have me stop seeing my best friend and her baby. I remember hiding all the baby pictures in my dresser. My parents eventually found them, and I was right about what they would do.

I was not allowed to be friends with her anymore. It was terrible. But after my parents finally got to meet baby Mark, they fell in love with him as well. My family end up moving to Fredericksburg, Virginia and she stayed in Northern California. We called each other on the phone all the time. Wrote many letters and sent lots of pictures. I remember many phone calls when a toddler Mark would complain of us talking or giggling too loud on the phone and he couldn’t sleep. She got married and I stood up in her wedding, and she stood up on mine. We both visited each other with our spouses and now with our children.

This Friday my husband, kids, and I will be flying to San Francisco. Mark Ryan Caguioa will be laid to rest this Saturday at the SF National Cemetery Presidio. Mark you will be terribly missed!

--Cross posted @ the author's personal blog: I want a little sugar in my bowl

A Matter Of Life Or Death

I am by no means imposing on anyone to breastfeed like I did with all my 3 kiddos, I mean after all it is quite a daunting task. But I am very surprised by what I had just read recently about the declining rates of breastfeeding Moms in the Philippines. I don't remember the actual numbers, but I would've thought that with the pricey cost of bottles and nipples and more importantly the formula, people will surely turn to the basics.

I had an inkling that it has to do with educating the masses and commercialism. And having read here justified that. I am also appalled at the unethical infant formula marketing in the Philippines, just check out the 5 video series documentary of Formula For Disasters.

Just recently an event in Manila was held to raise awareness about the benefits of breast feeding. Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, whose city is one of the event's organizers, said 3,738 mothers simultaneously breasts-fed their babies for at least one minute, breaking the Guinness World Record. The result will be submitted to Guinness for evaluation. The United Nations Children's Fund said the previous record was held by the City of Berkeley, California, where 1,135 mothers simultaneous breast-fed babies for a minute on August 3, 2002.

As Breastfeeding.com reports:

The gathering in the sports complex was part of efforts to smash the Guinness world record for the most number of women simultaneously breastfeeding their babies.

The large number of tired moms was a coup for organizers, trying to promote breastfeeding in a country where many poor families believe that expensive powdered milk is more nutritious.

Around 16,000 children die every year in the Philippines because their milk formula is mixed with dirty water or the wrong amount of powder, according to the World Health Organization.

I'm saddened with all this. Hopefully, there is truly enough awareness focus in breastfeeding that can open up more Philippine moms to breastfeed.