Letter of an American Visitor friend

September 7,

What shall I call you? Your are someone I really look up to. I wish I could really explain how I feel about you. You are so special. How I wish you could come to California and let me entertain you.

I would love to hear you tell about your life. Would love to to have read some of your poems. You have a wonderful family but none can stand up to you. Maybe I am wrong to say this but I've never met a person who affected me at first sight like you did.

I spent 10 days in Honolulu. I did not enjoy it as much as I did in the Philippines. Everyone treated me royally.

All my family was glad to have me home. Have been busy since since. First weekend at home, we have the Rose Festival, next a Family reunion, then a free Sunday. Now, will entertain a Filipino couple from Manila this weekend then plan to go to Mexico to work at a mission for the deaf-mute mexico children. Will be gone a month.

So much fruit and nuts available now going to waste in the fields. Thank you for the beautiful bowl. All the gifts got here safe. The box Pec packed was never opened.

Love you lots,
Mama Eve.

Agaton Sabrine Grasparil

AGATON SABRINE GRASPARIL

of Sibalom, Antique

Educator and Military Man

I. Passed regular Junior Teacher Civil Service Examinations at age 18 years. Served the Bureau of Public Schools for 39 years as Secondary Teacher, Principal and District Supervisor.

II. Reconnoitered Mt. Baloy for the location of the 61st Division Rear Command Post in December 1941. Went through the Japanese Naval blockade of Cebu in March 1942. Swam and floated for half a day in open sea near Manapla, Negros Occidental. Rescued 42 American Officers, Pilots and ground crew of San Jose, Mindoro airport in the mountains of Bululacao, Mindoro and ferried them to Panay in June 1942. As appointed Mayor of Sibalom in 1944, he prevented Japanese Air Force Captain Kobayashi from commandering 200 chickens, 5 cows, and 3 young ladies. Organized the Antique District Veterans Association comprising of 12 municipalities of the province and the ROLP Antique Chapter.

"In the future you will be called to the colors to defend or fight for your country. Read and learn about the Surrender or Fall of Bataan. As a Japanese Prisoner of War, I have suffered inhuman treatment, starvation, sun drying, bayonet treatment, dock labor, crowding in animal cars and ships' bodegas, and disease. My parting advice is therefore this: NEVER SURRENDER, BUT FIGHT TO THE FINISH IF YOU CAN NOT ESCAPE." - Agaton S. Grasparil