Resistance Writing

The work of the wartime Cebuano propagandists is a chapter that needs to be written.

In Cebu, there were at least four resistance organs published during the Japanese occupation (1942-45)- Kadaugan, The Torch, Lapulapu, and Morning Times.

The Torch, which billed as the “official organ of Free Cebu”. Made it’s maiden appearance on October 22, 1942. Published together with another paper, Kadaugan, it ran for several issues and was succeeded by Morning Times. It had 4 or 6 pages to an issue and its pages measured 7 1/2 x 10 ¼ inches.

These papers were the handiwork of a group of guerillas led by captain Cipriano A. Barba, head of the “publicity section” of the local resistance movement. The group included Pedro Calomarde, Paterno Trinidad, Ricardo Gabuya, felix Barba, jacinto Alcos, Julio Pongan, Jorge Alcoseba and several others. Cipriano barba, an important figure in local publishing, was a printer of prewar days.

Barba and his men carried out clandestine work, operating in a secret camp in Southern Cebu mountains. For equipment, they made do with handset types and a foot pedal-operated Chandler & Price printing machine (locally called “Minerva”). The stock of paper was so limited the size of their newspapers later shrunk to 5 ¼ x 7 ¼ inches.

For news material, they relied on short wave radio, couriers, and their own imagination. Circulation was carried out in secrecy since possession of copy meant Japanese punishment and reprisal.

Fir many, these ragtag newspapers were important not so much for the information they conveyed as for the proof these gave that the resistance was still alive.

The work of this guerilla-newspapermen deserves remembrance.

 - Ybarra