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Masue "Masay" Masuda-Almazan
Masue "Masay" Masuda-Almazan was a Japanese woman known for her heroic efforts during World War II to save hundreds of Filipino prisoners from torture and imprisonment by the Japanese military.^1
Early Life
Masuda was born to worldly merchant parents and spent her early years in Perth, Australia, and Nagasaki, Japan, before moving to Davao, Philippines.^2
World War II
During World War II, Masuda's husband, Vicente Almazan, was shot dead in their home amidst hostilities between Filipino guerrillas and her mixed Japanese-Filipino family.^2 Despite this tragedy, Masuda chose to respond with mercy rather than hatred.
Heroic Actions
Masuda used her multilingual skills in Japanese, English, and Ilocano to serve as an interpreter for the Japanese military (Kempeitai) stationed in San Narciso, Zambales.^2 However, unbeknownst to the Japanese soldiers, Masuda worked secretly to free Filipino civilians and guerrilla fighters who were being tortured and imprisoned.^2 She cleverly exploited the language barrier to fabricate stories proving the innocence of the prisoners and securing their release.
Post-War
Following the arrival of Allied Forces, Masuda's Japanese-Filipino family faced the risk of being mistaken for Japanese soldiers and sentenced to death.^2 However, thanks to the gratitude of the Filipino community for her efforts, Masuda's family received assistance in escaping to a nearby town.^2
Masuda converted to Catholicism and was baptized as Elizabeth Masue Masuda-Almazan at St. Sebastian Church in San Narciso.^2 She passed away in 1953 due to poor health, just eight years after the war ended.^2 Despite her significant contributions, her name remains largely absent from textbooks.
Legacy
Masuda-Almazan's heroic deeds have not been forgotten. The town of San Nicolas, the province of Zambales, and her descendants continue to honor her memory.^2 She is currently a candidate for sainthood, as proposed by the Diocese of Iba in Zambales.^2 In 2011, her remains were interred at St. Sebastian Church, her final resting place.^2
References