Listen to Forbidden Diary
Season One: 1941
Prologue: The Story Behind the Story
Listen to the prologue if you want to hear about the background of this audio drama.
The Complete Season One
Binge all six episodes in Season One without the recaps. Note that the .mp3 file is 198 MB.
1941 - Episode 1: On Pins and Needles in Baguio
It’s December 1941, and the Philippines is in Japan’s crosshairs. They’ve invaded China, Korea, and French Indochina. Will the Philippines be next? If so, when? In the town of Baguio, nestled in the mountains on the Philippine Island of Luzon, Jerry and Natalie Crouter wait and watch along with everyone else, wondering what’s going to happen next.
1941 - Episode 2: The Second Pearl Harbor
Jerry and Natalie see the first bombing of the Philippines from their back door, but no one downtown seems to have heard it. Soon the situation becomes all too real for everyone as the Japanese continue to bomb Baguio and air raid sirens blast day and night. While the Crouters and Nida’s family circle the wagons not knowing where and when the next bomb will land, Jerry hears disconcerting news about Clark Field.
Epilogue: (Episode 2) What Happened?
On December 8, how did Japan cripple America a second time? Listen to an intimate, hour-by-hour timeline of how General Douglas MacArthur reacted.
1941- Episode 3: Early Days
The U.S. and Japan are at war, but it’s early days and anything can happen. As bombings continue, half of the Filipinos hike up the mountains to safety and the other half down, while Americans cling to their radios waiting to hear word of help from the mainland. Igorots wear Bolo knives in the marketplace, and Japanese civilians are interned at Camp Hay. The Crouter’s new air-raid shelter becomes a hub for exchanging news and rumors, and Natalie begins to see people’s true character.
1941 - Episode 4: Hobson's Choice
Eighty Japanese warships have reached Lingayen Gulf only 18 miles away! As “booms” from ships echo along the coastline and up the mountains to Baguio, Natalie and Jerry watch their last source of income go up in smoke. Jerry confides in Carl about his deployment to Russia and what he learned about Japanese soldiers. The Crouters are given two hours to decide whether to stay or leave Baguio.
Epilogue: (Episode 4) Is Help Coming?
While Natalie is hopeful that the U.S. will arrive any day to rescue the Philippines, a much different scenario is playing out in Washington, D.C.
1941 - Episode 5: How to Pack a Suitcase
The rumors are now true. Trails to Lingayen Gulf and the mine’s oil tanks have been blown up, and no one can deny the sound of gunfire coming up from the trails into Baguio. The Crouters pack their bags and stay at Brent School, sleeping on a crowded dormitory floor and waiting for the enemy to arrive. Ismael and Jerry have a surprising heart-to-heart talk. Nida leaves Baguio, and Natalie honors a vow.
1941 - Episode 6: Banzai!
The Imperial Japanese Army has raised the Rising Sun flag over Baguio City Hall. Soldiers are freeing Japanese civilians and capturing Americans and Allies. At Brent School, the Crouters and other civilian prisoners are forced onto the school’s tennis court to hear relocation orders from a freed Japanese civilian standing on a table with a machine gun at his side.