September 21, 2022

We'll Always Remember

September 21, 2022/ Staff

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the official declaration of martial law in the Philippines. The public announcement came two days later, on September 23, 1972, to give time for the military to round up the oppositionists and the dissidents and put them in jail.

As you read this, please take a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives or have been permanently scarred by martial law: the imprisoned, the tortured, the raped, the abused, the salvaged, the disappeared, the dispossessed, the harassed, the displaced, the impoverished, the war victims and those who suffered the brunt of plunder and bad policies (we particularly remember the children of Negros during the 1985 famine).

Let's also remember our allies, those who risked life and limb to help mitigate the harm of martial law: the Filipinos abroad who did their part in exposing and opposing the dictatorship, the nuns and priests, the activists, the journalists (particularly the women writers), the movie makers, the academics, the documentarists who kept records, the authors, the businessmen who secretly supported the anti-martial law forces, the international humanitarian groups, the young military officers who organized to oppose the regime. Most of all, let's remember the ordinary people who offered support to the hunted and oppressed, whether it was shelter for the night or sustenance for the days ahead.

We remember through our stories this week:

A general's recollection of opposing martial law in theory

A Mindanawan's recognition of his psychological scars

Two Tony's -- Hilario and Tagamolila -- the early martyrs

We remember through films: Vince Tañada's Katips, the recent blockbuster and awards sweeper, now showing internationally; and

Batas Militar, the 1997 documentary which you can watch through the link be;low until September 30.

Today and always, WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

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What the World Needs to Know About Jo Koy... In His Own F**king Words

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For Art Fair, Julie Lluch will recreate and reinterpret the Spoliarium—in life-size sculptures

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August 10, 2022

Once In A Lifetime

August 10, 2022/ Staff

The Filipina actor Cherie Gil was a once-in-a-lifetime talent that graced Philippine movies and television for almost five decades. She belonged to showbiz royalty with her parents Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil, her brothers Michael de Mesa and Mark Gil, and a big bunch of nephews and nieces who are likewise making their mark in the entertainment industry. Cherie's demise announced on August 5 led to a deluge of tributes, one of them from her friend, PF contributor Pablo Tariman. ["Cherie Gil, A Beautiful Soul"]

Five years ago, a distinguished Filipino was flying to New York via Vancouver when he suffered a heart attack. When the airline crew called for a physician among the passengers, a Filipino doctor and his wife, also a doctor, rushed to resuscitate him, but it was too late. The distinguished gentleman was Washington SyCip, 96 years old, an icon in the business community. The doctor who tried to save him was Blas Bermudez who wrote about the heartbreaking experience on his Facebook post, which we are reposting here. ["Last Flight Home"]

Filipinos of a certain age crooned and swooned to The Association's big hits like "Never My Love," "Cherish," "Windy," and "Along Comes Mary." What we didn't know then was that a Filipino-Hawaiian was a big part of that cherished pop group and in fact became the group's leader in 1984. Larry Ramos was a Bridge Generation Fil-Am worth extolling and Peter Jamero, another Bridge Generation stalwart, does so. ["Along Comes Larry"]

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Op-Ed: For Filipino Americans, seeing ourselves in a summer movie is a winner
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August 03, 2022

Steady Eddie

August 03, 2022/ Staff

Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (Photo by Robert D. Ward, U.S. Department of Defense)

When news of the demise of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) came out last weekend, many took to social media to post pictures with and/or pay tribute to the man. One of the most heartfelt ones was that of writer (and many things besides) Jose "Butch" Dalisay, Jr. who had ghost-written about 600 of the president's speeches. The Chief Executive and the speechwriter never met until much later when the presidency was over, and FVR became arguably the most visible and accessible ex-president to many people.

Though credited with having presided over a six-year period of relative peace and economic stability, President FVR's legacy is nonetheless tainted with issues he was accused of doing and not doing. What is unquestionable, however, was his commitment to restoring and preserving Philippine democracy, during the 1986 People Power Revolt and through the many coup attempts against the Cory Aquino administration thereafter.

His role in the overthrow of the Marcos dictatorship has assured him an indelible place in the roster of Philippine contemporary heroes. He was Steady Eddie, the veteran military commander who managed the rebel troop movements and the crucial psy-ops (his expertise) who helped win the day and ensured that Cory Aquino (as opposed to the civilian-military junta favored by the "other one") took over as President.

During one coup attempt against the Aquino government months later, FVR, who was already the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, couldn't be found by the media the night before and on the day of the alleged coup. It turned out that he was crisscrossing the country, visiting military camps and secretly meeting with the commanders to get their assurance that any troop movement in support of the coup would be quelled.

Say what you will of President FVR. He was no saint, but there's no irrefutable proof that he was a villain either.