71st Leyte landing anniversary: Female WWII veterans recount women’s role in liberation day

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines – Ninety-one year-old female veteran Gregoria Badeo underscored the role of women in winning the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 20, 1944, or during World War II, even though they were not in the warfront at the time.

Her fellow in the Women Auxiliary Service of the guerilla forces then, who rather wanted to be named as Mana Estrellita, was among those who could not forget how massive deaths of innocent Filipinos emboldened their resolve to fight the atrocious Japanese Imperial Army.

Badeo, who served as spy during the war 71 years ago, utilized her skill in writing to send across the message of liberation to the guerillas and the natives of Burauen town. This, she said, was her contribution besides being in the background sewing clothes for the male warriors.

“The female guerillas were also fighting to get our freedom back, although not with deadly weapons but by providing the garment and food that the guerilla warriors would need in the battlefield,” Badeo said.

Estrellita, who despite her being in a wheelchair, still insisted to attend the 71st Leyte Gulf Landings anniversary celebration at Barangay Candahug, this town, reminisced how her fellow Filipinos were made to dig their own grave before they were killed.

She likewise expressed pity for those who were made as comfort women by the Japanese soldiers during WWII, which in turn moved her to stand up and serve as company leader in WAS to protect her fellow Filipinos.

Although both Badeo and Mana Estrellita were not made into comfort women, they both were exposed to strategizing plans how to defeat the enemies then and were made to wield bolos for self-defense.

The two female guerillas found importance in annually commemorating the victory of the guerillas in order to give honor and respect to those who fought hard to regain freedom not just for Leyte but for the whole country.

“It is not necessary that we will wield firearms or bolos to fight for freedom,” Mana Estrellita said. “What is important is that we know how to stand up for what we think is right not only for our own self by for the people especially in this modern times,” she told The Freeman.

“Women need not be liberated as how it is meant in modern days in order to be useful citizen,” Badeo said.

“The women of today can use their talents and skills to constantly stand for freedom against poverty, discrimination and prejudices that downgrade the women’s role in the society,” she added. (FREEMAN)