Corazon Noble: Yamashita trial star witness

One of the highlights at the Manila trial of Japanese Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita for crimes committed during World War II was the moving testimony of actress Corazon Noble. The front-page account of the trial was captured by The Manila Times (Tuesday, Oct. 30, 1945) in a banner story headlined Yamashita Unmoved As Witnesses Describe Scenes of Horror, Murder.

From The Manila Times this story:

‘Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, the so-called Tiger of Malaya, is also the Murderer of Manila.

‘Such was the impression left in the minds of the people who attended Yamashita’s trial yesterday morning in the improvised courtroom in the High Commissioner’s residence on Dewey Boulevard. Miss Patrocinio Abad, popularly known as Corazon Noble, movie actress, star prosecution witness, vividly told of Jap atrocities of which she herself was a victim.

‘Her eyes tearful and her voice vibrant with emotion, Corazon spoke of how the 10-month-old infant she held tightly to her bosom was bayoneted three times by a grinning Japanese soldier.

‘She spoke vividly of her own blood-bath, how a Jap first shot her through her right elbow, then approached her as she lay prostrate on the concrete floor, and bayoneted her nine times in various parts of the body. She survived, but the baby she held in her arms died a few hours later.

‘The audience listened tensely as Corazon Noble, a lone orchid quivering on her breast, narrated the terrible butchery. Mrs. Sergio Osmeña, like three other ladies with her, was perceptively moved. Their eyes brimmed with tears.

‘The solemn-faced members of the military commission and Maj. Gen. Basilio J. Valdez, who was seated with the audience, bent forward to catch every word of the black-clad witness.

‘Corazon’s black dress accentuated the loveliness of her skin. Without half-trying, she spoke in a voice that has won her fame among the local movie enthusiasts. Her every word left its impression on the audience. Her every word added to the volume of   crimes imputed to the Jap general.’

All throughout the hearing, Yamashita remained stoic. For his war crimes, the Japanese general was sentenced to die.

Despite Corazon’s handicap (right arm disabled), she was able to make post-war movies for Sampaguita, including Maynila, Landas ng Ginto, Kaputol ng Isang Awit, Tatlong Puso, Magkaibang Lahi and Backpay.

Before World War II, Corazon starred in such films as Tarhata, Balatkayo, Anak ng Pare, Pasang Krus, Dalisay, Ang Magsasampaguita, Bahag-Hari and Ang Tagala.

In the early ’80s, she received the Walang Kupas Award along with other screen immortals.

Corazon and actor Angel Esmeralda were the parents of Jay Ilagan. —RKC