1942-1945

During the course of Japanese occupation, many Ilocos Norte towns are burned, including Badoc, Bangui and Piddig [Galende]. The Japanese conduct massacres of civilians and guerillas in the Batac barangays of Biningan, Caoayan, Mabaleng, and the poblacion [Cadiz]. However the populace is not spared terroristic activities by renegade guerillas and Americans.In Badoc, hundreds of innocent civilians are tortured, abused or killed by guerillas upon the mere suspicion of sympathizing with the Japanese or even another guerilla group. In Laoag, American officers summon all local civilians to a conference and have them machine-gunned in cold blood. [Rodriguez, Spence]

The zarzuela is popularized during the early part of the Japanese Occupation. In Bangui, zarzuelas are performed after the weekly Radio Taisu exercises. An example is “Un-Unnoy”, written and arranged by Godofredo Soliva of Abaca, Bangui, and sung by Estrella Tolentino,Filipinas Magarro, and others. [Garvida]