St. Agnes Academy (SAA) holds a special place in my heart–forever. St. Agnes Academy is very special to me, not only because it’s my alma mater and my sisters and relatives studied there, but because my father owed his life to this school. Literally.

You see, St. Agnes Academy saved the life of my father, Luis Segovia Los Baños, thanks to the bravery and quick thinking of its Mother Superior Maria Clodesindis Lucken, OSB. 

Of the many stories I heard about the war, there is one that stands out prominently, and St. Agnes plays a major role.

As we well know, World War II broke out when Japan launched that treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor in the morning of December 7, 1941. Ten hours later, they attacked the Philippines.

After the initial aerial bombings, Japanese ground troops were suddenly all over Luzon. Obviously, they had already established themselves on the ground long before the aerial bombings.

The oppressive regime paved the way for the emergence of a powerful and extensive resistance movement that opposed the Japanese with active underground guerrilla activities. This was an urgent necessity as a result of the brutality of the conquerors of a global war this generation has largely forgotten.

It also gave birth to the brave and patriotic men who fought, come hell or high water, to gain the liberation of their homeland.

Luis was one of those men.   He was an active resistance fighter during the dark years of World War II, and who rose to the rank of captain. As a result, he was, on several occasions, captured and tortured by the Kempeitai (the Japanese military police). On those occasions, he managed to escape.

His last capture, however, happened when the Kempeitai got wind that Luis was taking shelter in St. Agnes. With him were his wife Pura, and the first four of their children, namely, Choy, Adit, Liddy and Gil.

Atrocity and ruthlessness were the order of the day.  Being picked up by the Japanese military police was as good as receiving a one-way ticket to death. The captive would be hogtied to a pole, tortured, and shot at the back. That is why when the Kenpeitai picked up Luis, Pura gave up all hope of ever seeing him alive again.

At that time, Mother Superior Clodesindis Lucken, OSB, along with Sr. Edilburgis and Oblate Sr. Gertrude, were the nuns assigned to St. Agnes (my source: Sr. Celine Saplala, OSB). They were German nationals. Luis was under the care of the Mother Clodesindis, and she would not allow his arrest.

More than the Axis powers alliance that bound Germany and Japan together in the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis, St. Agnes showed the power of Christian love and fortitude by extending shelter to Luis and family as well as other “fugitives.”

Today, any graduate of St. Agnes would know the two greatest commandments by heart, as Jesus Himself taught us, which are love of God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and love of neighbor.

Naturally, Mother Clodesindis and the rest of the Benedictine nuns during WWII were faithful to these two greatest commandments. Because love for God needs to work hand-in-hand with love for others, Mother Clodesindis was convinced that she was duty-bound to negotiate the release of Luis.

So, without hesitation, off she went marching to the Kenpeitai headquarters to boldly confront the Japanese Imperial Command.

The Japanese soldiers were in awe when they saw her approaching but could not harm her. She was German and was untouchable. More than that, she had an air of authority that exuded spiritual power. Thus, she was held in high respect.

In the meantime, Mother Clodesindis also brought her favorite German Shepherd dog as escort.

As the negotiation was going on and stalling, Mother Clodesindis noticed that the Japanese officer kept looking at the dog, developed a particular fondness for it, and started to play with it. 

“The dog likes you.” Mother Clodesindis blurted.

The officer asked quickly, “How about I give you the prisoner in exchange for the dog?”    

Mother Clodesindis jumped at the occasion: The officer can have the dog in exchange for Luis.

That quick thinking saved the life of my father. 

It is said that war brings out the best and the worst in us. In the midst of the brutality and the savagery of the war, with its frenzied battles and devastation, World War II brought out the best in St. Agnes: it produced the bravery and the heroism and the quick thinking of a Mother Superior who saved my father’s life.

She and the rest of the nuns were true Servants of God in a school that molded my life. Indeed, all the SAA teachers taught and led by example. They have always remained my role models. They left me a legacy of courage that emerged under the shadow of a global war.

That is why this story puts this school’s place in the first rank of my memories.

That is why St. Agnes Academy has a special place in my heart.

Forever.

Postscript: Saint Agnes Academy remained open in the early 1940s despite World War II, but had to close beginning September 25, 1944 because of the bombing of Legazpi by the Americans. The nuns stayed at the Academy to serve the more than 150 families that sought refuge there. Sadly on March 31, 1945, disaster struck. As the Americans were dropping incendiary bombs on the city, one bomb fell directly on the main building, killing Mother Superior Clodesindis, Sister Endlburgis, the oblate Sister Gertrude, and seven other people. They were all gathered around the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus when the bomb exploded. The school burned and was razed to the ground.

Featured photo of Mother Superior Clodesindis by Jack Williams.

Luis Los Baños who was saved by Mother Superior Clodesindis later became the Mayor of Legazpi City. Throughout his lifetime, Luis would have German Shepherd dogs as pets at all times. This practice would be passed on the rest of the Los Baños family.

Author Frances Los Baños Picart was born and raised in Legazpi City and finished her elementary and high school at St. Agnes Academy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the College of the Holy Spirit. As an art aficionado, she has curated major art exhibits of leading national artists at the Museum of Philippine Art, Manila. At present, she is actively involved in church liturgical activities of the Mother Butler Mission Guilds.