1972: Annus Horribilis, Annus Mirabilis

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When you're young, 50 years can be ancient and unthinkable; a golden milestone celebrated only by the very old.

For those who have been privileged to live beyond 50 years and are able to think back on how their lives have unfolded during those five decades, the feels are often a mix of wonder and regret, of remembered joys and sadness.

This week, we look back to 1972:

Fifty years ago, a group of young activists was driving across the Golden Gate Bridge when they heard a heart-stopping news report.

Fifty years ago, an ambitious young man began his immigrant journey.

And within that span of time, a father who was also an English lit teacher/political activist/poet/martial arts practitioner gave his daughters a life to lovingly remember.

If you haven't reached your golden year yet, these are historical accounts (and perhaps, cautionary tales) worth knowing.

For a dash of icing, here's an intro to a perfect book to give to the children in your life. And a look-see of a mural in Philadelphia that honors our heritage.

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This Week’s Stories

Secrets In The Shower by Amihan Ferrer

Fifty Years, An American Adventure by Myles A. Garcia

Crossing The Golden Gate Bridge To Organize U.S. Opposition To Marcos by Rodel Rodis

Lola’s Girl by Claire Mercado-Obias

A Philly-Pino Weekend by Phil Delrosario

Read Again 

My Close Call On 9/11 by Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba (Ret.)

Martial Law Stories: The “Torture” Of Playing For Miss Universe 1974 by Ceres Jacinto

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Adobong Antigo by John L. Silva

[Video of the Week]: AJ and Alyssa Rafael Disney Wedding Thank You Song

[Last Day Online] Ramona Diaz’s “Imelda” (2003)

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Staff

This Month, We Remember

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When the First Quarter Storm erupted in the Philippines in January 1970, everyone who was living there knew that it would be an extraordinary, historic decade -- both in the good and bad sense. Unrest was widespread as manifested by increasingly large and frequent demonstrations against the government. Students, workers and peasants worked together to demand social justice and structural reforms. Many joined the revolutionary underground, providing a life force to the New People's Army. 

The buzzwords were plenty: Maoism, imperialism, bureaucrat capitalism, fascism, "Makibaka Huwag Matakot," "Marcos Papet Diktador Tuta" were the more popular ones. There were attempts at arms smuggling and bombings which culminated in history-changing events: the Plaza Miranda bombing of the Liberal Party miting de avance in 1971, the subsequent suspension of the writ of habeas corpus (a new term and concept we had to learn), and the declaration of martial law the year after.

Fifty years later, which is this month, martial law continues to inflame emotions and incite debates. Each Filipino remembers it in one's own way, each memory valid if recalled honestly. For the privileged who benefited from it, those were good times; for the victims of its atrocities, their stories must be retold as history lessons. For most of the population, it was a slow burn towards anger; after all, despite the dictatorial decrees and military heavy-handedness, it was still possible to live a simple, under-the-radar existence. Until it wasn't.

It took 14 years before "tama na, sobra na" was on most people's lips, but that's another story.

This month we remember. And do our part in making sure that no one will forget. 

Aside from our collection of stories, Positively Filipino is also sponsoring the two-week FREE showing of the acclaimed movie by Ramona Diaz, "Imelda." Watch it here: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/ramona-diazs-imelda-2003

We also invite San Francisco Bay Area folks to watch a new and important documentary film, "11,103" on Saturday, September 17. See details below.

FREE! To RSVP please visit: https://bit.ly/11103BayAreaPremiere

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Staff

Thick and Thin

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This is our last issue for August, and we hope you enjoy our stories for this week. We feature a Filipina actress who made a splash in Cannes and is being talked about as a possible Oscar contender, an upcoming Fil-Am romance novelist, a rumination on the challenges of aging by a well-known Filipino social activist, an increasingly popular Filipino street-food restaurant in LA and New York called Dollar Hits, and a recipe for scrumptious Leche Flan Tiramisu. 

For September, our issues will have a special focus on marking a historical anniversary. Fifty years ago, on the night of September 23, 1972, then-President Ferdinand Marcos went on national broadcast to announce that he had placed the entire country under martial law. Although official documents placed the proclamation date as September 21, it was actually two days later that the gears of state suppression became evident. That Saturday, all media were muzzled, mass arrests took place, and the Philippine military assumed an oversized role as implementer of the presidential decrees that transformed Marcos from a duly elected chief of state to a self-proclaimed dictator. He would rule for 14 years.

It was a period of pain and uncertainty for many, and we reject the recent attempts to sugarcoat, whitewash and revise history. Thus, our collection of personal narratives from those who lived through that time.

Starting tomorrow, September 1, you can also watch for free the much acclaimed movie, "Imelda" by Ramona Diaz. Described as a "documentary film at its best," Ramona Diaz's 2003 movie on Imelda Marcos "beyond the shoes" is a must-see. Watch it here for FREE here for two weeks. 

A brand new film, 11,103, about martial law survivors by director Mike Alcazaren and producer Kara Magsanoc Alikpala will be premiering on September 17 in the San Francisco Bay Area.  See announcement below.

Click on image to RSVP or visit: https://bit.ly/11103BayAreaPremiere

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Staff