My Story: Betty Chan

Summary

First-person narrative by Betty Chan describing her early life in the Philippines, focusing on her family’s flight from Japanese occupation during World War II when she was a child (ages 5-10, 1940-1945).

Content Overview

Early Life in Daet, Camarines Norte

• Born September 13, 1935
• Father: Benito Lo Kuchiam (Chinese businessman, copra export, Chamber of Commerce president)
• Mother: Ines Chavez Uy (Chinese-Filipino from Albay)
• Family home with father’s office and copra warehouse
• Chinese cook prepared meals for family and employees

WWII Flight and Survival

First Escape: When Japanese invaded, commander asked father to collaborate. Father refused and family fled by boat to island, hiding in caves when Japanese searched.

Manila Years: Family moved to Binondo, Chinese district

• Father ran mahjong tables for income
• Lived near Japanese garrison but weren’t bothered
• Spanish dentist neighbors became friends
• Betty attended St. Scholastica’s College (1st-2nd grade)
• Learned Japanese from nuns, took piano lessons

Final Escape: When Japanese threatened to burn Binondo, Spanish neighbors offered house in Sulu

• Liberation Day: Mother was cooking when Japanese soldiers came asking for food
• American soldiers arrived about an hour later
• MacArthur’s return fulfilled

Recurring Theme

Betty repeatedly writes “By the Grace of God” after each narrow escape, emphasizing her mother’s Catholic faith and their survival through multiple dangers.

Memorable Details

• Betty’s deep regret at leaving her bookcase full of toys when fleeing
• Cousin Conching hiding from Japanese soldiers
• Mother cooking Palitaw dessert when Japanese came on liberation day
• Japanese soldiers housed in family’s copra warehouse
• First Communion at Binondo Church

Source Quality

Reliability: High

• First-person account from primary subject
• Specific dates, locations, and names
• Consistent with historical record (Japanese occupation of Philippines 1942-1945, MacArthur’s liberation)
• Written in detailed, memoir style
• Personal memories preserved with emotional detail

Value

• Documents Filipino-Chinese experience during WWII
• Child’s perspective on war and displacement
• Family business and social class context
• Religious faith during crisis
• Cross-cultural relationships (Spanish neighbors helping Chinese family)

Historical Context

• Japanese occupation of Philippines: 1942-1945
• Chinese business community in Philippines
• MacArthur’s famous “I Shall Return” promise
• American liberation of Manila
• Post-war recovery in Philippines

Related Sources

• Betty-Chan-Lolas-Story-80th-Birthday - Later life summary
• Historical records of Japanese occupation
• St. Scholastica’s College records
• Philippine WWII history

File Location

_assets/sources/My-Story-Betty-Chan.txt