LOLA'S HOUSE

I picked up this book as a way to hopefully bridge my understanding of  my mom’s Filipino upbringing and my relationship with Japanese culture. 



I knew my mother always had mixed feelings about Japan. She would tell me about her friend who lives there, but then mention how she didn’t feel safe going there and wouldn’t go past the airport.

She would listen to me talk about wanting to travel there, learning the language, how I love the food - and then also have disinterested, pensive responses. 

After reading this book, I asked her about it.  She recalled stories from my own Lola, that have very much impacted her opinions as an adult. 

Her mother (my Lola) and grandmother (my great grandmother) had locked themselves away for 3 days while the Japanese raided their home. Her mother was kept in a small cabinet in hopes to save her from the rape and torture that many families succumbed to. Thankfully they were left unfound, and the Japanese soldiers continued on - but they went 3 days without food, no way to relieve themselves, and in what I can only imagine as  constant fear. 

During the conversation, I acknowledged that my mom has very tainted views on Japan. I also acknowledge that, especially this far down the road, they will likely not change - and really, who can blame her? I am only thankful she wasn’t living during that time.



I was extremely disappointed that I couldn’t find this book at my local libraries and bookstores. I went scrounging for it, and ended up having to purchase it on Amazon (thank goodness at least it was there). 

I’ve encountered the same issue with another book I’ve been looking for. Enduring What Cannot Be Endured by Dorothy Dore Dowlen;  it retails at $67 on Amazon, stating there’s only one copy, so I’m a bit hesitant to buy it. It  worries me how difficult it is to obtain these pieces of historical literature. I guess I just wish there was more available out there on Filipino perspectives, and it makes we wonder why not.



I've read several memoirs on the Holocaust, and a few on the Cambodian genocide. As much as I loved them and want to continue learning about them, I yearn to read about my own heritage. Maybe I'm just trying to find another way to stay connected to my mom, or maybe I'm trying to make up for the privileged, Western parts of me.

My hunt continues.

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