A fascinating letter written after a day at the cockfights in Manila. It is interesting because it illustrates a return to normality only two weeks after the Battle of Manila finally ended on March 4, 1945. This was a very destructive engagement, unique in the Pacific war for its large-scale urban fighting. Most of historic Manila was destroyed, but far worse was the Manila Massacre, in which the Japanese killed at least 100,000 and more likely close to 500,000 civilians.
Inferred Hierarchy of Needs:
The reference to "Filipino big shots" refers to Ferdinand Marcos and others, who were (according to Richard) often attendees at these events.
