A friend who works at Fort Santiago said the Japanese cheer and friendliness had worn off. "They've become quiet and sulky." Gone too are the loud laughs of soldiers on the street. They are particularly touchy about Bataan. "Don't even mention it," I was warned. The VoF summed it up this way:

The enemy has adopted a definite indication that their recent heavy loss has shaken him. He begins to show signs of exhaustion.

Lt. Gen. Manuel Roxas read a stirring Quezon speech on VoF that was undeniably optimistic. The atmosphere in the city has taken on a more positive note despite the best, or should I say worst, efforts of Japanese propaganda. As one Spaniard mentioned to me today: "It bespeaks of an incredibly low intelligence on their part."