[Hot Off the Press] The Manzano Memoirs: The Life and Military Career of Colonel Narciso L. Manzano

New release from the Ateneo Press The Manzano Memoirs tells the tale of an unsung WWII Filipino hero 

Many people throughout history have been unfortunately forgotten by time. Even those who have changed the course of history aren’t always properly remembered. A new release from the Ateneo Press, The Manzano Memoirs: The Life and Military Career of Colonel Narciso L. Manzano, by Craig Scharlin unearths and showcases the riveting life of Colonel Narciso L. Manzano, the highest-ranking Filipino officer in the U.S. Army under the command of General Douglas MacArthur during World War II, along with the vital role he played in the resistance movement against the Japanese. 

Scharlin, who worked closely with Manzano as his secretary and personal assistant, weaves together the Colonel’s accounts of his life before and during the war. This book shines a light on the battles and intelligence operations he led and was involved in, such as the blowing of the bridge in Calumpit, Bulacan, and the Battle of Bataan, emphasizing his courage and strategic genius. Despite his numerous military achievements, Manzano’s exploits have rarely gained recognition—until now. "Occasionally, we come across a book that needs to be written. This one, about Colonel Narciso Manzano, is one of those, and its appearance is long overdue," says Peter Parsons, son of Commander Chick Parsons. Furthermore, Richard B. Meixsel, PhD, author of Frustrated Ambition: General Vicente Lim and the Philippine Military Experience, 1910–1944, highlights how the memoir challenges long-held historical assumptions: "Manzano’s iconoclastic account of the war years calls into question much of what we think we know about just who did what to resist the Japanese.”

The Manzano Memoirs offer a more personal perspective of Philippine military history. Readers are given the chance to see little-known facets of history through the eyes of an unsung hero, a man who fought for our country’s freedom even though he had no formal military academy education. “Frank and oftentimes critical, this is a perspective no one but Col. Manzano can tell. This is the first time many details of the resistance movement are published. It is high time that the story of this genuine Filipino hero was told, in his own words. It is a story to inspire, and also to learn from,” states Dr. Ricardo Jose, Professor at the University of the Philippines.

This book addresses a significant gap in dominant knowledge of World War II in the Philippines by reaffirming Colonel Narciso Manzano’s rightful place in the annals of Philippine military history. It is a rare and indispensable resource for historians, students, and anyone interested in learning more about the complexities of our country’s experiences during one of the darkest moments in its past. 

Two launch events will be held for the book. The Manila launch will occur at the Ortigas Library on February 6, 2025, at 4 PM. Another will occur on February 8, 2025, at 3 PM in Mt. Cloud Bookshop in Baguio. Both occasions are open to the public. 

About the Author

Craig Scharlin graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. He has written on economic and political issues regarding the Philippines. His articles have been published in a number of periodicals, newspapers, and academic journals in Asia and the United States. He is the co-author of Philip Vera Cruz: A Personal History of Filipino Immigrants and the Farmworkers Movement (University of Washington Press, 2000). He is married to Lilia Villanueva and they reside in the Philippines and in New York City.

The Manzano Memoirs: The Life and Military Career of Colonel Narciso L. Manzano by Craig Scharlin is published by the Ateneo de Manila University Press under the Bughaw imprint. The book retails at PHP 650 (Paperback) and PHP 1,850 (Hardcover). It is available at the Ateneo University Press Bookshop in Bellarmine Hall, and the Press’s official Lazada and Shopee stores.

Get your copy in paperback: Website | Lazada and Shopee