No, I am not yet Kathleen when Martial Law was declared. But I studied and I have opened my eyes to various literature that reminded me of the crimes committed during Martial Law and I refuse to close my eyes and shut my mouth just because I am not yet Kathleen that time.
I was born in 1993. Too far from the glorious days of the Marcoses. But why am I too passionate about it? It’s because it’s part of our history that should never be forgetten. And sadly, up to this day, there are lots of false narratives and myths about it.
Let’s stick to the facts.
I am fortunate to have a Professor in DevCom who witnessed first hand the atrocities during Martial Law. She was a journalism student in UP Diliman when then President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law throughout the country. For our DevCom 80 class, we had to recall many events in the past that shaped our society in relation to the field of communication. And of course, Martial Law is a very significant period. Many of the known journalists today witnessed and have been part of the struggle to fight for the freedom of the press during that dark period in our history.
Problem is that: many parents/adults living today continue to narrate stories about the “good things” they experienced during Martial Law. I am glad my parents are not among those. But I know so many people who refuse to believe in the narratives written and published by credible sources and literature. Their narratives usually start with “tahimik nga non at maganda ang buhay”. “Maraming takot sa gobyerno noon.” “Walang gulo, lahat naniniwala sa gobyerno.” “May mga ration ng pagkain.” “Maunlad. Nagkaron ng mga kalsada, ospital.”
Two words: peaceful and prosperous. I don’t blame them for believing that the Philippines experienced its golden years during Marcos time. In communication, there is always a reason for why people believed in that messaging.
That was the plan of the Marcoses. To make it look like it’s “peaceful” and “prosperous”. People can’t see news reports about the actual situation of the Philippines because TV and radio were controlled by the government. Publications were closed. People opposing and exposing government anomalies were killed or were sent to jail (just like what happened to Ninoy and many more). You can’t see news stories of people being murdered, tortured or being raped because it is not allowed. If there were reported cases, only few will know. Mostly, those near the capital. Mostly, those who were part of underground movements and student-led organizations. These people struggled to get the message across because, as said, the Marcoses owned the masses. The masses were blind. They didn’t know what’s happening.
It is just sad that until today, the struggle continues. Many people refuse to acknowledge facts presented to us by history. Many people refuse to understand why people continue to fight the return of BBM and all other evil Marcoses. Many people refuse to acknowledge the lessons given by our past.
Being a communication student and now a professional, I accept the challenge to continue to educate people and send the message across. I will not stop. I will continue to narrate the facts. Facts don’t lie. I will #NeverForget.
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Was it really a Golden Age for the Philippines? Different people may tell different stories, but the data reveal only one thing.
under the sun 