The Pearl of the Orient

CHAPTER II

One year ago, 1961…

It had started a year before, a few months after Cristian's death, with the results of the 1961 election. Since the keiretsus' rise in the post-war Empire, they have proven to be more dynamic and versatile than their zaibatsu[1] counterparts. The keiretsu[2] are quickly carving out their own market share, and despite active opposition from the zaibatsus, who have formed cartels in order to force the keiretsus out of the market and even called in favors from the government to ensure that legislation in their favor was passed, the keiretsus are still in business.

Rumors of internal fighting in the Taisei Yokusankai and a possible economic war between the Zaibatsu and Keiretsu factions on an unprecedented scale looms over Japan, and it might be a crippling blow to Japan's economy - which will affect the rest of the Empire and the Co-Prosperity nations.

For the past few years, the Empire's economic and political news had been steadily worsening. Strikes and demonstrations occurred in the Philippines' northern and central Luzon regions, as well as the Western Visayas region.

Indonesia appears to be in an ongoing state of pro-independence rebellion against its Japanese overlords, with an increasing number of arrests.

People who had quietly agreed to the 1945 Peace Treaty or the Akagi Accords were becoming enraged, saying it was time for the Philippines to stand up to Japan a little more, and that after twenty years it was time for a change of government, time to give Magsaysay and Tañada's United Liberal-Nacionalista Party, or even Claro Recto's Parliamentarian faction in KALIBAPI, a chance.

Despite a diet of pro-government propaganda from newspapers and ABS-CBN, Yulo was unpopular with the people because he is a man who sold himself to the Empire, essentially a pro-Japanese politician, and there were rumors that the ULNP[3] would make significant gains.

When the results were announced, the party had lost the majority of its hundred seats in the National Assembly, having been surpassed by KALIBAPI, the fascist party founded by pro-Japanese Filipino fascists, which had risen from thirty seats to a hundred and four.

After a speech condemning a "rigged election to return a gangster National Assembly," Magsaysay finally led his supporters out of the National Assembly. People whispered in the Malacañang corridors, despite reports in the newspapers and on television that they stormed out in a fit of rage.

The United Liberal-Nationalists were accused of being remnants of the pro-American Commonwealth insurgents, encouraging political strikes, and were declared illegal by the government shortly after. They went underground and formed an alliance with Luis Taruc's HUKBALAHAP communist guerillas, or People's Army Against the Japanese in English. The Philippine United Front, or simply the "PUF," began to appear on walls.

Regardless of ideological differences, their shared goal is independence from Japan.

The new government, led by President Yulo, moved even closer to Japan than Laurel's vision of the Philippines. As it should be, said by pro-Imperial Filipinos.

The government now claimed that the Han Chinese were implacable enemies of the Philippines' "great ally," and elements of anti-Chinese laws from the Spanish era were to be revived, which was strongly supported by the Empire because the Chinese were regarded as "lesser races" in the Imperial hierarchy.

Juan would wake up sweating at night, terrified of what would happen if his secret was discovered; that he's a Mestizo de Sangley. Everyone knew that Japan had been pushing for Filipino-Chinese people for years. Nobody knows why the Empire desires the Chinese of the Philippines, but it certainly does not imply anything positive. Juan knew it was more important than ever to keep his mother a secret from everyone, especially Maria.

However, in the months that followed, Juan began to speak out to Maria and trusted friends about other issues, such as the country's continuing economic crisis, the growing recruitment of 'paramilitary forces' from Yulo's KALIBAPI as Constabulary Police to deal with unrest and strikes, and Magsaysay's promise to set the Philippines ablaze with sabotage and resistance.

Of course, Magsaysay, Tañada, and their people were denied to get interviewed via radio or television time, but there was talk of secretly circulated gramophone records on which he spoke of never surrendering, of the dark tyranny that had descended on Asia. After the election, perhaps even before Cristian died, something snapped inside Juan.

He had mostly spoken to his oldest friend, Jeffrey Gaza. Jeffrey had gone to MIU[4] with him and had joined the Co-Prosperity Service[5] around the same time Juan had joined the government.

Jeffrey had spent six years in southern China, specifically the Guangdong Special Administrative Region[6], before returning to Manila as a desk officer in 1958. He had expressed his dismay at witnessing firsthand how the Philippines had devolved into a dull, conformist Japanese satellite state.

He even considered how long the Philippines and its people will keep suffering on being a colonial subject to foreigners, a situation that had lasted nearly four centuries. The Spaniards ruled for 333 years (1565-1898), the Americans for 41 years (1901-1942), and the Japanese for 20 years (1942-present).

Jeffrey had changed during his time in China, specifically in Guangdong. His thin, bony face had new lines beneath the thatch of fair hair, and his mouth was pursed and unhappy. He'd always had a satirical sense of humor, but now he was bitter, spewing sarcastic remarks accompanied by a small barking laugh.

He had mentioned an unhappy love affair with a married woman in Guangdong. He'd told Juan that he still hadn't gotten over it, and he envied his friend's settled life with Maria and their son Cristian.

He didn't like his desk job at the big new Co-Prosperity Office building near San Agustin Church, and when they met for lunch, Juan noticed how Jeffrey always looked uneasy in his black coat and pinstripe trousers, as if he should be wearing baggy shorts and a pith helmet.

Jeffrey lived in Pasay, about ten kilometers from Juan's Sorisu home, and they would frequently meet on Saturday mornings for a swim and tennis. They would then sit in a corner of the tennis club bar, quietly discussing politics, because few in the club would have sympathized.

Jeffrey had been telling Juan about events in China, specifically Guangdong, on a Saturday in the summer of 1961.

"A hundred and fifty thousand Filipino and Japanese settlers they've got there now," he said quietly.

"It's f*****g chaos. Unemployed families from Tondo and Navotas brought over with promises of free farms and unlimited native labor by our Japanese superiors. They give them a three-month course in farming, then hand them a thousand acres of bush. They wouldn't have a clue if it weren't for the c****s. But it's the c****s' land. There's real trouble starting among the Cantonese. Blood's going to get spilt. Some of these builders of this proposed Guangdong Special Administrative Region are going to wish they'd never left the Imperial Heartland, or the Philippines." Jeffrey gave one of his angry barks of laughter.

Juan paused before speaking quietly.

"Some of the Co-Prosperity governments are becoming very concerned about what our new government is doing, probably due to our high prestige and us having a chance to get promoted as a co-equal member within the Co-Prosperity. The Indonesians and Malayans are talking about leaving the Co-Prosperity through revolution, and they're very concerned about the current political landscape." Juan was being indiscreet to an extent he would not have been even a year ago.

He went on to discuss Malayan protests against the IJA's twenty-year rule there, as Malaya is ruled by a Japanese military governorate known as the "Military Governorate of Shonan-Marai".

When Juan finished speaking, Jeffrey sat silently looking at him before whispering, "There's a friend of mine you might like to meet."

Juan felt an overwhelming feeling of anxiety as he realized he'd said too much.

"I think you'd find points of view in common," Jeffrey added. "In fact, I'm sure you would."

Juan returned his gaze. He immediately wondered if Jeffrey was referring to someone in the Philippine United Front. With Jeffrey's agitated restlessness, he realized he could.

"I'm not sure," Juan admitted.

He remembered Maria, who was at home, mourning the loss of their son. Jeffrey smiled tightly and waved an arm.

"I'm not talking about making a commitment; I'm just talking to someone who sees things the way we do; it helps to know you're not alone."

Juan wanted to say no, change the subject to sports such as basketball or weather, and end the conversation. But then an angry impatience overcame him, driving away his fear.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A week later, Jeffrey introduced him to Perez. It was an exhilarating experience... Summer in the Philippines is always hotter than hell, with the sun shining brightly in a clear sky. Juan and Jeffrey met in Taguig and walked to Heritage Park. Courting couples walked hand in hand, the women in bright white-skirted summer dresses and the men in open-necked shirts and light jackets. There were also families; children flew kites in bright colors against the blue sky.

Juan had expected Jeffrey's friend to be at their age, but the man sitting on a bench was in his early sixties and had iron-grey hair; just like Maria's father. He stood up when they approached; he was tall and bulky, but he moved quickly. Jeffrey introduced himself as Señor Perez and shook Juan's hand firmly. He had strong features and dark-hazel eyes. He smiled broadly at Juan.

"Señor Laxamana." He spoke in a voice that Maria's mother would have called la-di-da.

"Pleased to meet you," he said, with the easy public-school confidence, what they called "effortless superiority," that made Juan, the grammar-school boy, feel slightly defensive.

"Let's take a turn," Perez suggested cheerfully.

They made their way to the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani, or the Cemetery of the Heroes in English. A group of teenage boys dressed in Philippine Scout uniforms performed a gymnastic display: three in a row, two more balanced on their shoulders, and a sixth slowly climbing to form the pinnacle.

There were several people watching. In a low voice, a scoutmaster gave instructions.

"Slowly now, distribute your weight carefully, that's the key."

Perez paused to observe. "Diyos ko," he murmured quietly. "I remember Scouts helping old ladies cross the road; now it's all gymnastics and military drills; of course, they're afraid of being forced to merge with the Kalibapi Youth."

"No one would put up with that," Juan said. "They'd take their sons out."

Perez let out a soft laugh. "These days, who knows what some people will stand for?"

He turned away and ran across the heath, Jeffrey and Juan close behind. Slowing down, Perez spoke quietly to Juan.

"Jeffrey tells me you're dissatisfied with the direction our poor country is taking."

"Yes, I am," Juan replied after a brief hesitation.

"They've gotten away with rigging the election. More and more people are getting arrested under Section 4, Article 2 of the 1943 Constitution. And with Yulo as President. The anti-Chinese laws. We'll be truly fascists like the rest of Co-Prosperity Asia soon. The late President Laurel isn't even like that. Why only now?"

When he mentioned the anti-Chinese laws, he felt his face flush and quickly glanced at his watch Perez, but the older gentleman didn't seem to notice.

He simply nodded, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Felt like this for long?"

"I suppose I have; I know this has been building up for years, and it's all come crashing down on me since the election."

Perez appeared to be thinking. "I believe you recently lost a child in an accident."

Juan had not anticipated Jeffrey informing him about Cristian.

Juan replied "Yes." stiffly, frowning at Jeffrey.

"I'm sorry to hear about it."

"Thank you."

Perez swallowed and cleared his throat. "You served in the war, Jeffrey said."

"Yes, in Bataan."

Perez gave a sad smile. "The defense of Bataan shocked Quezon; some say that if Quezon had not left the Philippines or haven't listened to the Americans, we would have continued the war after Luzon fell; I wonder what would have happened then?"

They were walking quickly now, and Perez, despite his size, did not appear to be out of breath.

"Bataan was a mess. I'd seen men die, the Japanese seemed... invincible. After Luzon fell, I thought we had to fight more... boost our morale!" Juan said.

"And Tojo promised to give the Philippines independence, to liberate us from the Americans after the war, which many thought was generous and gave us hope, but Magsaysay said it was a lie because it would still lead to Japanese dominion, and he was right! The Japanese lied to us!"

Perez gave Juan a pleasant social smile, but his eyes remained sharp. Juan was being probed and tested in a very Filipino manner. Something about this man made Perez think he was a civil servant like him, but much more senior.

Juan was unsure where he was going. Perez gave an encouraging smile. Juan took a deep breath before shooting, just like he did as a kid on the basketball court.

Juan stated, "My wife is a pacifist."

"I used to agree with her; she still believes that at least the war in the Philippines is over, despite the fact that she knows the government is supporting what's going on in China, a never-ending endless murder."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perez stopped and looked out over at Libingan Ng Mga Bayani.

In the same quiet voice he said, "The Japanese can never win in China. No matter how they put countless satellite states or collaborationist governments, or able to pacify warlord states. They'll never win. They've been fighting for twenty five years to realize their goal. A state of Japanese settlement stretching in Manchuria and in Canton, some semi-colonial Chinese state in East and Central China commonly called Reorganized China. Sure, they are able to manage it but what about beyond the Japanese-controlled China? Western China. Filled with warlord states, thirsty for national vengeance against the Empire." Perez continued.

"Every summer, they edge a little further west, breaching parts of both the Jialing and Sichuan lines; every winter, the Chinese push them back with their manpower; and behind the lines, the partisans hold half the countryside; in some places, the Japanese only control the towns and the railway lines."

"No one knows that, do they? All we hear is that the Japanese keep slowly advancing."

"Well, they're not. As for Changsha, the Japanese didn't go in, they just surrounded the city and left the population to starve. Over two million people. There's been complete radio silence from Changsha since 1942. Nothing, not a chirp. When they took Peking and Nanjing they turned the population out, put them in camps, r***d the women and left them to starve. Sadistic motherfuckers." Perez took a deep breath.

"They're all supposed to have gone to labor camps, somewhere in Manchuria. We've seen the newsreels, nice wooden huts with flowers in the windows and lawns outside. But no Filipino Chinese has ever heard a word from friends or relatives who went there. Not a letter, not a postcard. Nothing."

Juan locked his gaze on Perez. Is he aware of my existence? He pondered. Except for his father, no one knew his secret. People were talking about the Sangleys/Han Chinese more because of the revived new laws from the Spanish era by the Yulo administration.

"What, forty-seven million, forty-eight million people were sent to labor camps?" Juan asked.

Perez nodded solemnly. "Yes, that's a lot. Despite Japanese pressure, it's been a matter of national pride and independence not to let them go, but Yulo wants them out and he counts more each month."

He let out a sigh. "Where are we going, Laxamana?"

"I think we're all going to hell in a handcart."

A young couple passed by, the woman wearing white-framed sunglasses and a pink floral-patterned frock. They held a little girl's hands in theirs, swinging her up in the air; she shrieked with delight. An aspin dog ran round them, wagging its tail. Perez smiled, and the woman smiled back. The small family continued walking to see the beauty of Heritage Park.

When they were out of earshot, Jeffrey said, "It's getting worse in Indonesia, too. Ever since Sukarno sold his loyalty to the Japanese and introduced the Romusha System[7], the workers staged mass protests to the point they're calling out for total independence. It just goes on. The rent strikes, the boycott of Japanese goods, strikes in the industries. These mutinies of PETA[8] regiments against their officers that really could bring the whole thing tumbling down."

"Regardless of their status as a superpower, the Empire isn't invincible on the inside," Perez said.

There was a brief pause before the conversation resumed.

"I've heard around the office," Juan said hesitantly, "that Executive Secretary Benigno Aquino Junior wants to recruit a couple of new Filipino divisions to send to Indonesia to assist Sukarno's regime, but that would bleed our economy, and I'm not even sure why we're dealing with other people's problems."

"Did you know, Suzuki once offered to lend us a couple of Kempeitai divisions to sort out Indonesia?" Perez asked. Juan pondered. Who is this man?

Perez gave him a look. "You work for the government, Jeffrey told me."

"Yes." He was speaking too quickly, and he'd already said too much to Jeffrey.

"Principal in the Political Division, main job servicing the president's weekly meetings with the Co-Prosperity Military Governors." Perez's tone had changed once more, becoming active and businesslike.

"Yes."

Juan's superior organized the weekly meetings between the President and the Military Governors for the Co-Prosperity Sphere - Indonesia, Shonan-Marai (Malaya), Burma, Reorganized China, and Vietnam - with Juan doing much of the legwork.

"Are you present at the majority of meetings?"

Juan remained silent. There was a brief pause before Perez resumed his conversational tone.

"You've been overseas, I believe, to New Zealand as an operative?"

"Yes."

"Yes, I was posted there from '54 to '56. My father has a family in New Zealand, and he's gone to live with them. He, too, thought we were going to hell in a handcart."

"Your father must be lucky, considering he lives in the OFN."

Juan remained silent in response to Perez's response.

"And what about your mother?"

"She died when I was at school."

"I'm really sorry to hear that."

"Heh, my father comes from a family of solictors from Ciudad de Angeles[9], and he brought me and my mother here when I was three, at the height of the American era."

Perez grinned. "If you don't mind me saying, you have a Mestizo de Sangley look, perhaps because you're a Kapampangan?"

"A lot of people think that."

"Do you have any ties to the Hukbalahap?"

Juan made a shaky motion with his head. "To Taruc's socialist republic? No. My father despised all that stern national communism," Juan explained, "and just because I'm a Kapampangan doesn't mean I have ties to the Huks."

"Have you considered staying in Kiwiland with your father?"

"Yes, but we decided to return because this is still our country. There were no anti-Chinese laws back then. Repression was still moderate."

Perez looked around him.

"The Philippines has become a dangerous place; it's beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside, if you step out of line," Perez said as he took a step closer to Juan and Jeffrey.

He quietly stated, "the opposition is growing."

Juan turned to face Jeffrey. His pal's nose was tanned from the sun. "Yes, it is," Juan agreed.

Juan said, "A lot of people are being killed on both sides. Strikers. Soldiers. Policemen. It's getting worse."

"Magsaysay said we had to set fire to the Philippines after the last election was rigged," Perez explained.

Juan inquired, "Is he still alive?" "I know there used to be illicit recordings circulating of him urging us to resist, but nobody's heard of those for a while. He's a guerilla and a fugitive. His wife Luz is gone, the Kempeitai gunned her down at Nueva Manila[10]. Good thing his children were able to flee to Australia." He shook his head.

"And if Magsaysay's dead, who's in power in the United Front now? Old men like Tañada and Carlos Romulo who's a pro-American Commonwealth insurgent? Communists like Taruc?"

Perez gave Juan a long, admiring glance. "Magsaysay is still alive," he stated quietly.

"And the Philippine United Front is much broader than the PKP[11], despite the fact that the PKP is a member of the United Front." He gave a slow nod, then looked at his watch and said abruptly,

"Well, shall we walk back towards the jeepney station? My wife's expecting me home. One of her family get-togethers." And Juan realized that wherever Perez was thinking of leading him, he wasn't going there just yet.

On the way back to the jeepney station, Perez chatted cheerfully about his time at De La Salle University, where he played basketball and soccer. When they parted ways, he shook Juan's hand, smiled, and walked away.

Jeffrey squeezed Juan's arm in an unusual gesture. He said quietly, "He liked you."

"What's this all about, Jeffrey? Why did you tell him so much about me?"

"I thought you might be interested in joining us."

"To do what?"

"Perhaps in time - help us," Jeffrey said, his smile quick and anxious.

"But it's up to you, Juan; the decision has to come from you; after all, we're doing this for the future of our Motherland."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Present Day, December 1962...

Juan could hear Maria doing the dishes, angrily banging plates on the draining board, from the kitchen. He stepped away from the stairwell. Her safety had been his primary concern since his first meeting with Perez at Heritage Park in Taguig. He has a wife.

Handlers had told him later that she could only be told what her husband was doing if she was completely committed as well.

And, while Maria despised the government, her pacifism meant she couldn't back the Philippine United Front, especially after the bombings and shootings of police officers began. And since then Juan had felt resentment towards her at the time, blaming her for the unbearable burden of yet another secret.