On October 14, 1943, the independence of the Philippines was formalized under the Japanese-sponsored Second Republic with Jose Laurel, Sr. as President and Benigno Aquino, Sr. as Speaker of the National Assembly. Posing as liberators from "Western" colonization and advocates of the nationalist philosophy "Asia for the Asians", Japan pledged early during their military occupation the preparation for Filipino independence. When Prime Minister Hideki Tojo visited the Philippines in May 1943, he rei

The "celebration of independence" in the Philippines during 1943 refers to the establishment of the Second Philippine Republic on October 14, 1943, under the Japanese occupation. Japan, promoting its "Asia for the Asiatics" and Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere propaganda, declared the Philippines "independent" to gain support and legitimize its control. This new government, headed by President José P. Laurel, was effectively a puppet state, as Japanese military authorities retained ultimat

"The happy man is he who has enough. I am not in love with money or power." On November 6, 1959, Jose Paciano Laurel died in Manila. Known for his service as President of the Second Philippine Republic (1943-1945), the Batangas-born Laurel later struggled to shed the shadow of Japanese collaboration over his postwar political career. In his own words, "Everyone was a collaborator," emphasizing that his actions in general were meant to ensure the safety and the survival of those who were left to

132K views · 3.3K reactions | In 1944, guerrilla resistance against the Japanese occupation in the Philippines was ongoing and intensified with the imminent Allied invasion, providing crucial intelligence and harassing Japanese forces. Philippine and American guerrillas were instrumental in supporting the American landings on Leyte Island in October 1944, a pivotal moment in General MacArthur's campaign to liberate the Philippines. | Kulay at Kasaysayan | Facebook