--- title: "Filipino soldiers wore helmets made from coconuts during WWII" description: "A brainchild of resourcefulness when native Filipinos weren't issued steel helmets, the guinit was made of pressed coconut husks." date: "2022-06-14" modified: "2023-06-15" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/filipino-soldiers-wore-helmets-made-from-coconuts-during-wwii/" categories: - "History" - "War History" - "World War II" --- # Filipino soldiers wore helmets made from coconuts during WWII ![guinit helmet]() Following the [Spanish-American War](), the Philippines ceased to be a Spanish colony. Instead, the islands became the largest colonial commonwealth of the United States. Alongside American units from the states, Filipino soldiers formed native units trained and equipped to defend the islands from foreign invasion...mostly. ![lt basa dress guinit helmet]() **Lt. Ceasr Basa wearing a dress version of the guinit helmet (Public Domain)** Despite the economic and strategic importance of the Philippines, military preparedness stagnated following WWI. In fact, despite the widespread use of [steel helmets during WWI](), the Philippine Constabulary and Commonwealth Army were not issued such protective gear. Rather, their helmets were made of the pressed fibers of coconut husks. Called the guinit, or Filipino Sun Helmet, the headgear resembled a European pith helmet. The guinit featured a domed center and a broad rim that went all the way around. Its rim narrowed at the sides and extended over the front and back. Although the coconut husk construction offered little to no protection from bullets and shrapnel, the guinit helmet shielded its wearer well from the scorching Filipino sun. ![guinit helmet protection]() **Guinit helmets were only useful as protection from the sun (Public Domain)** Though historians have not pinpointed the exact origin of the guinit helmet, it was likely developed parallel with the first Philippine Commonwealth Army uniforms in 1935. By the time of the Japanese invasion in 1941, it was standard issue in most Philippine Army units, including the fledgling Army Air Corps and Navy torpedo unit. One exception were the Philippine Scouts. Under the command of U.S. Army officers, the Philippine Scouts were issued more modern gear like steel helmets and even the M1 Garand. ![A brainchild of resourcefulness when native Filipinos weren't issued steel helmets, the guinit was made of pressed coconut husks.]() **The 1st Regular Division on parade in Manila shortly before the outbreak of the war in the Philippines (Public Domain)** Notably the guinit helmets were part of Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon's efforts to boost the Filipino economy and make the Army self-reliant with locally produced gear. "That's why the garrison belts used for training were made of abaca, the blankets came from Ilocos, the guinit hat from Quezon," said Resty Aguilar, Executive Director of the [National Historical Commission](). Like British pith helmets, the officer version of the guinit helmet sported a colored puggree. The cloth band denoted the branch of service: blue for Army and red for Constabulary. ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()