This document is an announcement or draft press release detailing the creation of the RKO-Pathe documentary film, "A Nation Is Born," part of the "This Is America" series, which features Silliman University, a Presbyterian school in Dumaguete, Philippines. The film was largely shot on the Silliman campus in mid-1946 by photographer Dr. David Griffon, shortly after the Philippines gained its independence in July 1946 and following the end of World War II. The film aimed to depict America's contributions to its "former Oriental wards" through the lens of Philippine education, transitioning from a "one-room bamboo classroom" to modern, Filipino-staffed organizations. Prominent members of the cast include Aquilino Layague, principal of the University High School, and Dr. and Mrs. Roy Bell. The document highlights the direct involvement of Silliman faculty and students, parts of the institution's war-story (referencing its role during the Japanese occupation and the guerrilla resistance), and the post-war reconstruction and evolution of education in the newly independent Philippines. It serves as a significant artifact of Silliman University's history, showcasing its role in both the war and the development of the post-colonial nation.
Silliman University in RKO-Pathe Film: "A Nation Is Born" (Press Release/Announcement Draft)