We'll Always Remember

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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. 

More This Week

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Vegetable Lumpiang Shanghai by Chef Richgail Enriquez

[Video of the Week] Executive Class: The Henry Suites MiraNila

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Staff

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)

This Sunday, September 17, 2002. click here to rsvp
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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