"Manila Hemp" trees (abacá plant) being processed for Manila Rope fiber in Davao, Phillipines

Production of Manila Hemp, also known as Manilla, in Davao, Philippines during World War II. A farm of Manila Hemp (the plant is actually the abacá plant or Musa textilis, a relative of the banana, then frequently used to make "Manila Rope". But the colloquial name for it at the time was Manila Hemp). Farmers cutting, stripping and drying Manila Hemp. A Japanese officer on the farm supervising. Manila Hemp loaded on a cart and taken to a shipping yard for shipping.