The Reading Glass Magazine (LATFOB 2024 Edition)

UILLO-
The introduction of carpet bombing thrust the
populace into a new reality, where survival hung
by a thread of hope. Sentry posts, manned by
armed soldiers, loomed at every corner, imposing
strict regulations upon the civilian populace. Each
passerby was subjected to the act of bowing,
a ritualistic bowing gesture enforced with
ruthless severity.
Forced into a Japanese Language School, Lourdes
navigated the treacherous streets, facing the scorn
of sentries and the loss of cherished possessions.
Jewelry, once symbols of prosperity, were seized
without mercy, leaving families bereft and broken.
A cherished watch of Lourdes’ mother, a gift from
her godmother, torn from her grasp in an instant of
violence, symbolized not just the brutality of war
but also the shattered dreams of a peaceful life.
Yet, amidst the chaos and despair, love endured. In
the face of adversity, families clung to each other,
finding strength in the bonds forged by hardship.
Through the eyes of the young Lourdes, the horrors
of war gave way to a deeper understanding of the
resilience of the human spirit and the timeless
power of love.
In the midst of this oppression, tales of cruelty
and resilience intertwined. Families, torn apart by
the brutality of war, found solace in small acts of
defiance and unwavering love. Lourdes recalls her
father’s humiliation at the hands of a sentry, his
dignity stripped away with each blow of a rod. Yet,
even in his darkest moment, he whispered words of
hope and determination to Lourdes, urging her to
seek education amidst the chaos.
serene town of Baguio,
ippines, became a
of conflict collided with the
ience.
37 | READING GLASS BOOKS