Kulay Colorization

THE WAR IS OVER - 1945

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

The War is Over... This Filipino girl with a banana on her lap waving a Philippine flag in war-torn Manila, Intramuros behind during the liberation in 1945 looks very happy after the 'Battle of Manila' finally came to an end.

The Battle of Manila ended in March 1945, leaving the Philippine capital in ruins and forever changing the lives of its people. What was once known as the “Pearl of the Orient” became one of the most devastated cities of the Second World War. The end of the war in Manila marked not only the liberation of the city from Japanese occupation, but also the beginning of a long and painful recovery for the Filipino nation.

In February 1945, American forces under General Douglas MacArthur, together with Filipino guerrillas and soldiers, launched the final assault to retake Manila from Japanese control. Fierce fighting erupted across the city streets, churches, schools, government buildings, and residential districts. Japanese naval troops refused to surrender and turned Manila into a battlefield. Heavy artillery, bombings, and close combat reduced much of the historic city to ashes.

The civilians suffered the most. Thousands of innocent men, women, and children were trapped between the fighting forces. During the final weeks of the battle, terrible massacres were committed against the people of Manila. Entire families were killed inside homes, hospitals, convents, and schools. Historians estimate that more than 100,000 civilians perished during the liberation of the city.

Among the hardest-hit areas was the ancient walled city of Intramuros, once the cultural and political heart of Spanish-era Manila. Centuries-old churches, ancestral homes, universities, and government structures were destroyed. The devastation transformed Manila into one of the most ruined Allied cities of the war, second only to Warsaw in terms of destruction.

On March 3, 1945, General MacArthur officially declared Manila liberated. Yet victory came at a tremendous cost. Smoke still rose from shattered buildings, and survivors wandered through streets filled with rubble and sorrow. Families searched for missing loved ones, while refugees struggled to rebuild their lives from almost nothing.

Despite the destruction, the end of the war in Manila became a symbol of Filipino resilience and hope. The city slowly rose again through the determination of its people. Schools reopened, businesses returned, and communities rebuilt neighborhoods brick by brick. Though many historical treasures were lost forever, the spirit of Manila endured.

Today, memorials and historical markers throughout Manila remind future generations of the sacrifices made during 1945. The liberation of Manila stands as both a story of triumph over occupation and a solemn reminder of the horrors of war.

UST - 1932

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

University of Santo Tomas looking west, Manila, Philippines, Dec. 28, 1932
the
In 1932, the University of Santo Tomas stood as one of the most enduring symbols of education and faith in Manila. Located in the district of Sampaloc, the university had already carried nearly three centuries of academic tradition, having been founded in 1611 under Spanish rule.

During this period, UST was still housed on its historic Intramuros campus, as the move to its present Sampaloc location would not be completed until 1927. By 1932, however, the new campus was already taking shape—its grand Main Building, with its earthquake-resistant design, stood as a testament to modern engineering following the devastating lessons of earlier tremors in Manila.

Life at UST in 1932 reflected the broader transition of Philippine society under American colonial influence. English had become the primary medium of instruction, replacing Spanish in many courses, and new disciplines such as medicine, pharmacy, engineering, and law were expanding. Despite these changes, the university remained deeply rooted in its Catholic identity, guided by the Dominican Order, which continued to oversee its operations and spiritual direction.

Students of the era walked tree-lined pathways, attended lectures in high-ceilinged classrooms, and participated in religious and academic traditions that blended old-world heritage with modern aspirations. The campus was a vibrant center of intellectual life, producing graduates who would go on to shape the nation in various fields.

FORT SANTIAGO - 1898

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

Fort Santiago, with tall ships, Pasig River, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines, 1898-1900