Betty Chan Flees Japanese Occupation (1940-1945)

Overview

From ages 5 to 10, Betty Chan (Jovita Lo Kuchiam) experienced repeated displacement during the Japanese invasion and occupation of the Philippines. Her family fled their home in Daet multiple times, hiding in caves, remote islands, and villages. Throughout these harrowing experiences, Betty’s mother maintained constant prayer, and Betty developed her signature refrain: “By the Grace of God.”

Initial Flight from Daet (1940-1941)

Father’s Refusal to Collaborate

When Japanese soldiers invaded Daet, Camarines Norte:

Japanese Commander asked Betty’s father (Benito-Lo-Kuchiam) to collaborate
Father was President of Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Daet
Father ran copra export business to the United States
Father refused collaboration
Father secretly fled that same evening with his family

What They Left Behind

From Betty’s account:

“One thing I remember from during this time, is that I was very unhappy that I had to leave all my toys, which filled a whole bookcase. My toys. I loved my toys, but I was not allowed to take them. I remember this clearly.”

Left behind:

Family home (two-story house)
Father’s office on ground floor
Huge warehouse full of copra
All of Betty’s toys (filled a whole bookcase)
Chinese cook and employees
Established business and life

Consequences of Refusal

After family fled:

Japanese took over family house
Japanese soldiers housed in the copra warehouse
Business destroyed
Property occupied

Island Refuge (First Hiding Place)

Desperate Escape

Fled by small motorless boat to Mercedes fishing village
Wooden navigator broke near shore with large rocks
Dangerous moment - could have been stranded or injured

Filipino Neighbors’ Generosity

Filipino neighbors offered their vacation house on an island
Act of extraordinary generosity and risk
Cross-cultural solidarity (Chinese family helped by Filipino neighbors)

Hiding in Forest Cave

When Japanese soldiers approached the island:

Family hid in forest cave
Japanese searched but did not find them
Mother prayed constantly during hiding
Children had to remain absolutely silent

Betty’s Memory

Betty vividly remembers:

Being 5-7 years old during this period
The fear of Japanese soldiers searching
Mother’s constant prayer
Not being allowed to make any noise

Mother’s Hometown Village (Second Refuge)

Relocation

After island became unsafe:

Family moved to mother’s hometown village in Bicol region
Mother (Ines-Chavez-Uy) from Tuliw, Malinao, Albay province
Chinese-Filipino community there
Remote rural location

Cousin Conching’s Experience

Young lady cousin (named Conching) had to hide far from village
Whenever Japanese soldiers wandered through village
Sexual violence threat to young women
Family members took turns hiding

Village Life Under Occupation

Limited resources
Constant vigilance for Japanese patrols
Community protecting each other
Rural isolation provided some safety

Manila Years (1942-1945)

Father’s Decision

Father decided to move to Manila for better opportunities
Calculation that city might be safer or offer more resources
Long train ride to Manila

House in Binondo

Rented three-story house in Binondo (Chinese district):

House beside river near Juan Luna bridge
Japanese garrison directly across the river
Living in sight of enemy forces
Aunt and uncle lived with them

Spanish Neighbors - “Very Dear Friends”

Neighbor was dentist father with family
Four children were dentists, one son was violinist
Family became “very dear friends”
These neighbors would later save Betty’s family

Father’s Mahjong Business

To earn income during occupation:

Father set up mahjong tables
Betty described it as “amateur version of a casino”
Desperate measure to feed family during war

Betty’s Education During War

Despite chaos, Betty attended school:

Lived with Uncle Linda’s family on weekdays
Attended St. Scholastica’s College for first and second grade
Took piano lessons
Was taught Japanese by a nun (occupation requirement)
Prepared for First Communion at Binondo Church (old Spanish missionary church)

Final War Years and Liberation (1945)

Threat to Burn Binondo

When Americans were about to retake Philippines:

Japanese threatened to burn Binondo (Chinese district)
Scorched earth policy
All Chinese families in extreme danger

Spanish Neighbors’ Rescue

Spanish neighbor family offered their house in Sulu (end of Avenida Rizal)
Extraordinary act of courage and friendship
Risked Japanese reprisal for helping Chinese family
Betty’s family moved to Spanish neighbors’ house

Cousin Tony’s Brothers Shot

During this chaotic period:

Cousin Tony’s brothers were shot in crossfire
Betty’s family nearly caught in same violence
Death all around during final battles

Liberation Day

The most vivid memory:

Mother was cooking Palitaw dessert (Filipino sweet) when:

Japanese soldiers entered asking for food
Mother gave them the dessert
About an hour later, American soldiers arrived in weapons carriers/tanks
Americans threw chewing gum and chocolate to people
MacArthur’s promise fulfilled: “I Shall Return”

From Betty’s account:

“MacArthur’s promise fulfilled: ‘I Shall Return‘“

Betty’s Refrain

Throughout her story, Betty repeatedly says:

“By the Grace of God”

After every narrow escape, every moment of survival, Betty attributes survival to divine providence.

Impact on Betty (Age 5-10)

Formative Trauma

These experiences shaped Betty’s:

Deep Catholic faith (mother’s constant prayer)
Gratitude for survival (“By the Grace of God” refrain)
Resilience and strength
Value of education (continued schooling during war)
Importance of friendship (Spanish neighbors saved them)

Specific Memories

Betty clearly remembers:

Her toys left behind (bookcase full)
Hiding in cave while Japanese searched
Mother praying constantly
Japanese soldiers entering for food
American liberation (chocolate and gum)
MacArthur’s return

Age Context

5 years old when war began (1940)
10 years old at liberation (1945)
Entire early childhood defined by war
Lost innocence (toys left behind = lost childhood)

Mother’s Role

Ines Chavez Uy’s Faith

Betty’s mother was devout Catholic:

Prayed constantly during hiding
Maintained faith through terror
Passed this faith to Betty
“By the Grace of God” likely came from mother

Protection and Courage

Made impossible choices (which refuge, when to move)
Kept children safe through multiple displacements
Accepted help from neighbors (island house, Spanish family)
Fed family during scarcity

Father’s Role

Benito Lo Kuchiam’s Courage

Refused to collaborate with Japanese (would have been easier/safer)
Fled immediately to protect family
Made income during occupation (mahjong)
Moved family to Manila seeking opportunities
Lost everything - business, warehouse, house, status

Business Consequences

President of Chinese Chamber of Commerce → refugee
Successful copra export business → destroyed
Property owner → renter in Binondo
Lost social standing and wealth

Comparison to Jesse’s WWII Experience

Parallel Survival Stories

While Betty fled Japanese in Philippines, Jesse survived under Japanese occupation in China.

Betty’s Experience:

Fled multiple times (Daet → Island → Village → Manila)
Hid in caves from Japanese soldiers
Mother prayed constantly
Family lost property to Japanese
Witnessed liberation by Americans

Jesse’s Experience:

Fled once (Hong Kong → Fujian)
Hid in caves during air raids
Befriended Japanese colonel for survival
Family lived under occupation for 3 years
Special pass from colonel

Different Strategies

Betty’s family: Flight and hiding (refugee strategy)
Jesse’s family: Remaining in place and adapting (collaboration strategy)

Same Trauma

Both experienced:

Childhood displacement
Fear of Japanese soldiers
Hiding in caves
Loss of home and property
Hunger and scarcity
Witnessing violence

Faith Development

”By the Grace of God”

Betty’s signature refrain appears throughout her narratives:

After hiding in cave: “By the Grace of God”
After avoiding Japanese patrols: “By the Grace of God”
After liberation: “By the Grace of God”
After each narrow escape: “By the Grace of God”

Catholic Foundation

Mother’s devout Catholic faith during crisis
Continued attending St. Scholastica’s during occupation
First Communion at Binondo Church
Faith sustained family through impossible circumstances

Lifelong Impact

Betty’s faith remained central:

Mathematics graduate but also devout Catholic
Choir director in retirement
Taught English to choir members
Faith and education both important
Raised four children with Catholic values

Post-War Recovery

Moving Forward

After liberation (1945):

Betty was 10 years old
Finished elementary at Chinese school in Daet
St. Scholastica’s College for high school (boarder at convent)
Family rebuilt life in post-war Philippines

What Was Lost

Childhood innocence (ages 5-10 defined by war)
Father’s business (copra export destroyed)
Property (house and warehouse taken)
Sense of security and stability
Toys (Betty specifically remembers)

What Was Gained

Survival and family intact
Unshakeable faith (“By the Grace of God”)
Resilience and strength
Education continued (remarkable during war)
Friendship lessons (Spanish neighbors’ heroism)
Appreciation for peace and stability

Historical Context

Japanese Occupation of Philippines

Invaded December 1941 (shortly after Pearl Harbor)
Occupied 1942-1945
Brutal occupation with civilian suffering
Chinese community particularly targeted (anti-Chinese sentiment)
Mass starvation and violence
Resistance movements throughout

MacArthur’s Promise

General Douglas MacArthur:

Fled Philippines in 1942: “I Shall Return”
Returned October 1944
Liberation completed 1945
Deeply emotional moment for Filipinos
Betty witnessed this historic moment

Chinese-Filipino Community

Established business community in Philippines
Targeted during Japanese occupation (Japan-China war ongoing)
Benito’s position as Chamber of Commerce president made him target
Many Chinese-Filipino families fled or suffered
Community rebuilt after war

Legacy

Impact on Betty’s Parenting

Betty’s war experience shaped how she raised Rose, Meg, Louis, Michelle:

Emphasis on education (continued schooling even during war)
Faith values (Catholic upbringing)
Resilience (family survived impossibility)
Gratitude (“By the Grace of God” mentality)
Work ethic (rebuild after losing everything)

Impact on Grandchildren

Nicholas, Ryan, and Samantha Loui have grandmother who:

Survived WWII as child refugee
Fled Japanese invasion multiple times
Lost everything but rebuilt
Maintained faith through trauma
Achieved education and success despite war

Parallel to Jesse’s Story

Both of Rose Loui’s parents were WWII survivors:

Both experienced Japanese occupation/invasion as children
Both displaced multiple times
Both lost property and security
Both survived through different strategies (fleeing vs. adapting)
Both rebuilt successful lives after war
Both emphasized education for children

Third Generation

By Nicholas, Ryan, Samantha’s generation:

Three generations from wartime displacement
Grandparents: WWII survivors (1940s)
Parents: Immigrants (1960s-1990s)
Grandchildren: American-born stability (1990s-2000s)

In Betty’s Own Words

From her written autobiography and video narrative:

On leaving toys: