According to SINAGBAYAN spokesperson and Indi Na Maliwat’s production manager Faye Aldefolio, justice has yet to be served to the families of the victims, and farmers are still being harassed and exploited. She highlighted that farmers should not be perceived as enemies of the state especially since they have always been the backbone of our economy. 

The play was first launched on September 19, but SINAGBAYAN has steadily commemorated the Escalante massacre to help combat efforts in undermining dissent and attempts to revise the narratives among the plight of farmers. 

As part of the protest, she emphasized other similar events that happened in Negros, as well as relevant commemorations in November such as the Hacienda Luisita massacre and Ampatuan massacre which all involved civilians and farmers. 

“Kapag Pilipino ka at kumakain ka, kailangan mo suportahan yung mga magsasaka. Kahit anong administrasyon pa ‘yan, napaka evident ng massacre among farmers. May Hacienda Luisita Massacre, may Escalante Massacre, may Negros 14, may Sagay 9, especially sa Negros. Napakaraming massacre na nangyayari against farmers,” Aldefolio said.

(If you are a Filipino who eats, you have to support farmers. No matter what administration it is, the massacre among farmers is very evident. There is the Hacienda Luisita Massacre, there is the Escalante Massacre, there are Negros 14, there are Sagay 9, especially in Negros. There are so many massacres happening against farmers.)

Through this platform, they hope to donate proceeds to Defend Negros Network, an organization that calls for real land reform and acknowledges human rights violations in Negros Occidental. 

By tying the production to its home community, ensemble cast member Jules Azaula hopes that these experiences become more tangible to the audience by allowing them to learn, feel, and empathize with the Negrosanon people.

Art as dissent

The play follows the story of the Escalante Massacre, which happened just a day after the 13th Martial Law anniversary on September 20, 1985, in Escalante, Negros Occidental. The incident occurred after paramilitary forces gunned down at least 20 and wounded at least 30 civilians, including students, community leaders, farmers, and fisherfolk in a protest rally demanding for fair wages, work benefits, and genuine land reform in the province. 

With these issues still being relevant to the present situation of human rights in the agricultural sector, SINAGBAYAN highlighted how art can be utilized as a platform to expose the injustices happening in the country. 

But as a group dedicated to mobilizing and organizing the masses through artistic expression, they are hardly strangers to government suppression. 

“Hindi na maisagawa yung Escalante massacre commemoration at reenactment sa Negros Occidental. Hinuhuli yung mga cultural workers, yung mga artista ng bayan na gustong mag-reenact at sumama,” Aldefolio lamented. 

(The Escalante massacre commemoration and reenactment can no longer be held in Negros Occidental. Cultural workers and local artists who want to participate are being arrested.)

Bringing it to Manila and around the country not only cultivates awareness among those unfamiliar with the massacre and its relevance today, but also keeps these stories alive. According to Azaula, the act of truth-telling becomes visceral when it is done through his craft. 

Aldefolio echoes the sentiment of involving oneself in other local agricultural advocacies, whether that be through an art form like acting, joining protests, or simply educating oneself and others of the situation.

“Kailangan nating sumigaw at umiyaw para sa katarungan. Walang ibang gagawa nun kung hindi ikaw at tayong lahat,” she asserted.

(We need to shout and scream for justice. No one else will do that but you and all of us.)

“I-kwento [natin] yung naging kwento ng mga characters. Kung hindi ito hango sa totoong tao, hango sa kolektibo ng mga kwento mula sa mga interview ng mga nakaligtas ng Escalante massacre,” Azaula added. 

(Tell people about these characters and their narratives. Even if they don’t mirror specific individuals, these narratives are still based on a collection of interviews and accounts from those that survived the Escalante massacre.)

The play Indi na Maliwat: Alaala ng Escalante is scheduled for two reruns on November 27 at the 3rd floor of Alcantara Hall, Student Union Building in UP Diliman, Quezon City at 3 PM and 6 PM. Check out more updates on SINAGBAYAN’s Facebook page.—with reports from Gaile Patanñe and Marypaul Jostol/Rappler.com

What is put out on social media has great influence on people’s beliefs. Regardless of whether this content is an opinion or not, all individuals have a responsibility to uphold truth-telling in our online spaces to avoid contributing to the massive disinformation and misinformation problem.

Vloggers, artists, and even national institutions have at times spread false claims and accusations to shape public perception. Some school textbooks have also been found lacking in thorough discussions of history, which potentially leads to historical distortion and the reinterpretation of historical accounts. What is shared online has real-life consequences.

These factors potentially leave communities vulnerable to online disinformation, affecting their way of understanding history and reducing their ability to empathize with certain issues.

How exactly can fact-checking help uphold transparency and accountability? What can we do to help combat the potential impacts of historical distortion? Why should facts always come first?

This will be discussed in depth in the upcoming #CourageON webinar titled, “What the FACT: The primacy of truth over personal opinions,” happening on Friday, October 21, at 1 pm. 

The community show aims to put the spotlight on pressing issues in the Philippines and the ways we can take collective action on them. It is organized by Rappler’s civic engagement arm MovePH and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, in partnership with the Senior High School – Leadership Development Program, the Arrupe Office for Social Formation, and the Ignatian Spirituality Formation Office of Ateneo de Davao University.

The show will feature the following speakers:

• Pauline Macaraeg – Rappler digital forensics researcher
• Mike Pante – Ateneo de Manila University assistant professor and Tanggol Kasaysayan member

This will be hosted by Rappler’s head of community Jules Guiang and Ateneo de Davao University SHS Blue Ridge moderator and Davao Writers’ Guild, Inc. vice president Reil Benedict Obinque.

The show will happen on Zoom. Only limited slots are available. 

Interested participants may register here.

Registration is open until Thursday, October 20, at 5 pm. If you signed up past the deadline or have any questions about the event, you may send an email to move.ph@rappler.com. Registered participants will receive a confirmation email from MovePH on or before October 20.

Those unable to register may also check out the Facebook Livestream via MovePH and Ateneo de Davao University’s pages. – with reports from Gaile Patanñe/Rappler.com

Bilang paggunita sa ika-50 anibersaryo ng deklarasyon ng batas militar, pinangunahan ng mga mag-aaral ng NSTP CAL UP Diliman at ng Akademiya at Bayan Kontra Disimpormasyon at Dayaan (ABKD) ang Martial Law ABCs. Layunin nitong ipaalam sa mga kabataan ang mga naganap sa madilim na bahagi ng ating kasaysayan.

Kabilang ang ABKD sa #FactsFirstPH, isang koalisyon na binubuo ng lagpas 100 mga grupo mula sa iba’t ibang sektor na may layuning banggain ang disimpormasyon. Sa ilalim ng #FactsFirstPH ay inilunsad naman ang #SaysayNgKasaysayan, isang kampanyang naglalayong ituwid ang lantarang pagbabaluktot sa ating kasaysayan. – Rappler.com

Animation by Janina Malinis
Creative direction by Emil Mercado
Narration by Jules Guiang

During this benighted period, freedom of speech was suppressed and human rights were outright violated. Marcos formally ended Martial Law on January 17, 1981, but it was not until 1986 when democracy was restored – after the dictator and his family were forced into exile, overthrown by a popular uprising that came to be known as the People Power Revolution.

As the Philippines marks the golden anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, the country is seeing yet another Marcos at the helm. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, now the Philippine President, is reaping the benefits of long-term campaign disinformation that not only whitewashed the atrocities under Martial Law but also targeted critics and political opponents, among others.

Fifty years after, many are seeing similarities between what happened then and the Philippines’ current situation. Several journalists and media organizations, for instance, have slammed efforts to stifle press freedom and independent journalism. Media organizations in Southeast Asia recently called on the Philippine leader to ensure press freedom and protection of media workers in the country.

Aside from Marcos Jr. refusing to join presidential debates and interviews, his camp was known to block and sideline journalists who asked tough questions during the presidential campaign. 

Human rights advocates and critics are once again being targeted and being red-tagged. 

Decades after Martial Law, are we seeing history repeat itself? What can we do to ensure we learn from our history?

We answer these and more in “#CourageON: History repeats itself?” on Wednesday, September 21, at 4 pm.

The show will feature the following speakers:

• Ruben Carranza – Former Presidential Commission on Good Government commissioner
• JC Punongbayan – Columnist, Rappler
• Jonathan de Santos – National Union of Journalists of the Philippines chair
• Inday Espina-Varona – Rappler’s head of regions

This episode will be hosted by Jules Guiang, Rappler’s head of community.

The community show, organized by Rappler’s civic engagement arm MovePH in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, aims to put the spotlight on pressing issues in the Philippines and the ways we can take collective action on them. This episode in particular is also part of MovePH’s campaign #SaysayNgKasaysayan which aims to combat online disinformation and historical distortion. – Rappler.com

On September 23, 1972, late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos declared the start of a gruesome 10-year military rule by virtue of Proclamation No. 1081, which was signed on September 21, two days prior the declaration on live television.

During this period, freedom of speech was suppressed and human rights were outright violated. According to Amnesty International, about 70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed from 1972 to 1981. Several political prisoners, also known as desaparecidos, are also yet to be found up to this day. (READ: #NeverAgain: Martial Law stories young people need to hear)

Along with this, the country’s economy skidded, racking up $24.4 billion in debt, due to massive corruption and imprudent debt management, resulting in a full-blown debt crisis by 1983. The country is still paying the debt accumulated during this period up until today.

With another Marcos sitting at the helm for the next six years, attempting to distort history in their favor, several groups and organizations from #FactsFirstPH launched #SaysayNgKasaysayan, a campaign that aims to fight disinformation and remind the public the relevance of remembering the Martial Law era as a crucial part in the country’s history. It will include a series of events and activities debunking the ‘golden age’ myth, while calling for a comprehensive economic plan especially amidst a global crisis. 

Here is a running list of events and activities commemorating the 50th Martial Law anniversary:

Virtual events and activities

Although face-to-face activities are now allowed in areas under Alert level 1, most organizations still opt to hold some of their activities online.

Below is the list of virtual events and activities you may join in the run-up to the 50th year of Martial Law declaration:

• IBON Foundation, a non-governmental organization, launched Krisis at Batas Militar, a series of activities, including an exhibit, video series, forum, film screenings, and book launch, as part of its 44th anniversary along with the 50th year of Martial Law. Among these activities include Krisis at Batas Militar, an exhibit and book sale on 114 Timog Avenue, Quezon City from September 6-30; Ekonomiya Noon at Ngayon, a video series and forum from September 7-14; Presyo at Buwis: Isyung Konsyumer Noon at Ngayon, an online forum co-organized with SUKI Network and Gabriela Women’s Party about prices and taxes on September 17; and Martial Law @ 50: Alaala at Kasaysayan ng Pagbalikwas, a book launch organized by Tanggol Kasaysayan and CONTEND on September 30.

• Pitik Bulag, a group of professional cartoonists, will hold the 3rd Tagisan: Editorial Cartoon Contest to give an avenue for young cartoonists to express their opinions through illustrations especially amidst a tumultuous political climate.

• UP Institute of Human Rights, a government organization that concerns the protection and promotion of human rights, is holding The Legal Construction of Dictatorship: We Remember, a weeklong Martial Law series highlighting the events that transpired before, during, and after the declaration of Martial Law. It aims to help the generation after the momentous EDSA Uprising to understand how the laws were maneuvered to proclaim the Martial Law and use it against the people.

Other online activities:

• Akademiya at Bayan Kontra Disinpormasyon at Dayaan (ABKD), a network of educators and academic institutions, together with MovePh, will launch a video version of the Martial Law ABCs initially produced as a book for children that aims to explain Martial Law in a simple manner. You may download the book for free here.

• Out of the Box, a non-governmental organization focusing on media literacy, launched ML@50 Video Reels Contest (How to Get Away with Historical Distortion), a video contest that aims to spotlight the ways we can recognize and respond to propaganda that aim to distort our collective history. Deadline for submission is until September 26, 2022.

On-ground

Film screenings, art exhibits, and performance gigs

• Altermidya, an alternative media organization, launched Ang Katotohanan sa mga Marcos at Martial Law, a film screening of Martial Law films all over the country, as well as some parts of the world. It will run from September 10 to September 25.

• Matanglawin Ateneo, one of the official student publications of Ateneo de Manila University, in collaboration with Altermidya, The Ateneo Assembly, Ateneo Martial Law Museum, and Loyola Film Circle, is launching the Martial Law Film Festival, which aims to tell the truth through films, on September 19 to September 23. You may register for free here.

• Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA), a campaign network of martial law victims, civil libertarians, peace and freedom advocates, and human rights groups, will be launching Sing Kwenta: Mga Kanta at Kwento Tungkol sa Martial Law which will be held on September 21 along the University Avenue, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

• Youth Advocates For Climate Action Philippines, an environmental conservative organization, launched Global Climate Strike: “Fashion against Fascism”, a political fashion show that will bring back 70s fashion and activism to reject the fascists ’empty words. This will be held on September 23. 

• DAKILA, a group of artists, students, and individuals, along with Active Vista, will premiere 11,103, a documentary about martial law survivors, as part of the 10th Active Vista International Human Rights Festival, on September 17, at Cañada College, Redwood City.

• A collaborative effort of Akbayan, SCAP, CYAN and Youth Resist embark on a Tour named ROADTRIP: Martial Law History Bus and Walking Tour. This aims to combat false information and historical revisionism. It will be held on September 18 for Metro Manila residents. You may register here.

• The Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, in cooperation with other groups, is holding “Tao sa Tao: Mga Totoong Kwento ng Martial Law” on September 21 and 24 and October 1, 8, and 15 at the Multipurpose Hall and Lobby Area of the College of Fine Arts in UP Diliman.

• University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) , UP Cebu Communication Program, UP Cebu Creative Writing Program, and Communicators of UP, will launch their fifth annual 1081 Exhibit, a yearly commemorative event for martial law victims, with this year’s theme, Fool’s Gold: Debunking the Myth of the Golden Age, focusing in battling against historical distortion through fact-checking and real testimonies from Martial Law victims. The event, including a multimedia exhibit and a film showing, will run from September 21 to 25. You may check other details here:

•  Bagong Alyansang Makabayn (BAYAN), a multisectoral formation, calls for monetary donations to produce a 7 X 24 mural that will encapsulate the essence of people’s resistance against tyranny, especially in the context of Martial Law. You may send cash donations through GCash and PayMaya using 09365480087.

• UP Departamento ng Kasaysayan will be launching Historians’ Meet: Manindigan sa Katotohanan, Itanghal ang Katarungan, a meeting of historians and public forum that will tackle the truth during Martial Law. It will on happen at TVUP studio on September 21. You may register here:

• Politikal ang Komiks, an art and cultural exhibit featuring various local artists that is part of Active Vista Human Rights Festival, will commence from September 22 to October 22 at Gravity Art Space.

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A post shared by Gravity Art Space (@gravityartspace)

• Join the candle lighting event to commemorate the darkest period in our country’s history, whether in front of your houses or in Timog Circle, Quezon City on 6 PM, September 20. You may take a photo and post it on social media using #ML50YEARSTOTOOYARN. Keep the lighting until 6 PM, September 21. 

Do you know of other events, protests, or activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Martial Law declaration? Send the details to move.ph@rappler.com – with reports from Arjay Hije and Alek Mangasar/Rappler.com

Arjay Hije is a Rappler intern from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He is an incoming Communication Arts senior focusing on written communication.

Alexandra L. Mangasar is a Rappler volunteer under MovePH. She is a 4th year journalism student at the University of Santo Tomas.

Ngunit dahil sa impluwensiya at kapangyarihan ng mga salita, laganap ang pagbabanta sa ilang mga libro at manunulat. 

Mula sa pagbaybay ng ating kasaysayan, bilang na rin ang mga pagkakataong itinuring bilang banta ang mga akdang mapanghamig – lalo na ang bumubunyag sa mga realidad ng lipunan. Makikita ito nang ipagbawal ang Noli Me Tangere at El Filibusterismo ni Jose Rizal noong sinakop ng mga Espanyol ang Pilipinas, gayundin ang The Conjugal Dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos ni Primitivo Mijares noong panahon ng Batas Militar.

Kahit ngayong 2022, may mga libro pa ring ipinagbabawal. Nito lamang Agosto, ipinag-utos ng mga komisyoner ng Komisyon ng Wikang Pilipino (KWF) sa Sentro para sa Wika at Kultura na itigil ang paglimbag ng mga aklat na sinasabing naglalaman ng “political, subversive and creative literary works with subliminal ideologies that encourage to fight the government.”

Ano ang nakababahala dito? Bakit ito patuloy na umiiral? Paano natin ito masosolusyonan? 

Pag-usapan natin ito sa “#CourageON: Bakit nakababahala ang pagbabawal ng libro?” sa darating na Miyerkoles, Setyembre 14, alas-kuwatro ng hapon.

Para sa ating talakayan, makakasama natin ang mga sumusunod na tagapagsalita:

• Edita Burgos – human rights advocate
• Rommel Rodriguez – awtor, Kalatas: Mga Kuwentong Bayan At Kuwentong Buhay
• Julie Po – may-ari, Popular Bookstore

Ang community show na ito ay inorganisa ng MovePH kasama ang Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom; Foundation for Media Alternatives; K4 Kilos na para sa Kalusugan, Kabuhayan, at Karapatan; National Council of Churches in the Philippines; at Project Gunita.

Layon ng programang ito na bigyang pansin ang mga iba’t-ibang isyu sa Pilipinas at ilatag ang mga hakbang para sa sama-samang pagkilos para sa mga ito. – Rappler.com

We know that we are not the first group to do this – there have been many prior initiatives to digitally archive martial law documents and abuses. In fact, these are among the many materials that have been passed around, mostly contained in Google drives, on social media during the campaign period for the 2022 national elections. 

We also know that archiving alone is not and will never be enough. We recognize the need to go beyond our echo chambers and find ways to get digital archives out of social media and make them more accessible to the public. 

This is why our group sat down on July 1 to talk about more tangible projects offline. We saw how engaged people were during the kakampink campaign rallies, how these rallies were able to pull in people of all ages and walks of life and across all ideological beliefs to participate. That became our starting point for organizing a “rally” for  Martial Law survivors, giving them the stage to talk about their experiences, while providing activities for younger people to participate in.

We knew we could not do this alone, so we partnered with seven civil society organizations:

• Akademya at Bayan Kontra Disimpormasyon (ABKD)
• August Twenty One Movement (ATOM)
• Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation
• Campaign Against the Return of Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA)
• Manindigan Na!
• People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR)
• SAMASA Alumni Association

Together, we conceptualized a “history fair” with the theme “Mga Pahina ng Kabayanihan: Pagpatay kay Ninoy, Pagbangon ng Bayan,” which was later held on August 21, 2022, on the grounds of Bantayog ng mga Bayani. 

August 21 commemorates two historic events: the Plaza Miranda bombing in 1971, which led to the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and eventually the declaration of Martial Law; and the murder of Ninoy Aquino, the death that marked the beginning of the end of a well-documented abusive and kleptocratic dictatorship. The history fair was about both events and all that happened in between.

Booth partners and speakers were invited to discuss the varying aspects of the Martial Law era, from personal stories and anecdotes of survivors and surviving kin of victims, to historians and researchers discussing the life of the general populace as well as the economy of the Philippines during the Marcos dictatorship. Event sponsors included Adarna House, KolourPro Print Studio, the Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation, and the Saints John and Paul Educational Foundation.

Since Project Gunita aspires to both showcase the diversity of and unite the different segments of the opposition, we made sure this was reflected in all aspects of our event. Our booth participants and sponsors included nongovernmental organizations, educational organizations, progressive organizations, youth groups, people power veteran groups, and government agencies that had been fighting in different ways against the deliberate spread of disinformation and historical distortion. 

The program was hosted by Dr. RJ Naguit from Akbayan, Maya Santos from Concerned Artists of the Philippines, and Nathan Figueroa from the Liberal Party.

We invited prominent figures from the different movements during the Martial Law era: from the First Quarter Storm in 1970 up to the People Power Revolution in 1986. And though the speakers came from different movements and different parts of the political spectrum, one thing was clear: they all shared one plea: Do not let the propaganda and historical denialism erase the abuses of the Martial Law era. Do not let the rewriting of our history erase the heroism of Ninoy and all those who sacrificed their lives to fight against the dictatorship and restore our democracy. Their names are inscribed on the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani.

Reli German, one of the founders of ATOM gave the opening message to the event, followed by video messages from Ninoy’s daughter Ballsy Aquino-Cruz (left photo below) and grandson Kiko Aquino-Dee (right). Bobby Aquino, son of Ninoy’s brother Butz, as well as former Quezon congressman Erin Tanada, also spoke at the event.

Martial law era political prisoners were given a platform to speak. Fides Lim of KAPATID, Satur Ocampo (an activist who went underground after Martial Law was imposed), and Cecilia Oebanda (known as Commander Liway) spoke on the various movements in opposition to the oppressive Marcos dictatorship prior to and even after the murder of Aquino and the experiences of those held captive by the regime for participating in these movements. In a video message, former party-list congressman Neri Colmenares expressed his support for the initiatives of Project Gunita and shared his personal experiences as a student during Martial Law who became one of the youngest political prisoners at the time. In photos above, from left: Lawyer Luke Espiritu, Cecilia “Liway” Oebanda, and Satur Ocampo.

Edita Burgos gave a snapshot of the mosquito press during the Martial Law era as she spoke of how she and her husband, the late Jose Burgos Jr., founded We Forum, an alternative newspaper that bravely countered state propaganda and exposed the abuses of the Marcoses. 

Gus Lagman of NAMFREL and Light-a-Fire movement, Renato Reyes Jr. of BAYAN, and Prof. Lisa Ito-Tapang of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines recalled their personal experiences in the protests after the assassination of Ninoy from 1983 to 1986, including the confetti revolutions that were held in the Makati business district. Joey Manalang from the Cory Aquino for President movement also sent a video message.

The program was closed with a live rendition of the classic “Bayan Ko,” led by Leah Navarro,  a people power revolution veteran and representative of Manindigan Na. During Martial Law, the song was deemed subversive material by the Marcos regime. Those who were caught singing the song publicly risked being put in jail.

There are many stories that need to be told when talking about the abuses during Martial Law, and there has been a tendency for the narrative to be stuck – perhaps done deliberately by some camps – in a battle between two families: the Aquinos and the Marcoses. While we commemorated the life and death of Ninoy Aquino under the tyrannical Marcos regime in our August 21 history fair, we made sure to include the stories of many others who sacrificed their lives to fight for the democracy that we enjoy today. 

Unfortunately, many of their stories have been drowned by the louder, more prolific disinformation campaign that is being pushed by those who want to twist historical facts and change the narrative for their personal gain. The objective of Project Gunita is to revive the true stories of the survivors of the Martial Law regime, magnify their voices, rage against the propaganda machine, and defend historical truth.

Booth activities included:

• Exhibits of old documents and photographs from the archives of Project Gunita, ATOM, and UP SAMASA Alumni Association
• The Bantayog ng Mga Bayani museum, including the Philippine Commission on Good Governance exhibit on ill-gotten wealth
• A martial law exhibit by the Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking
• Historical lectures by ABKD/Tanggol Kasaysan
• A full scale model of the planned Martial Law museum by the Human Rights Victims Violations Memorial Commission
• Book and other merchandise sales from Adarna Publishing, BAYAN, IBON, Kilusang Mayo Uno, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, NNARA, and PPVR
• A film showing series set up by CARMMA and AlterMidya
• A freedom wall by the Kabataan Partylist
• A placard making corner set up by Project Gunita

The history fair brought together two generations of advocates for historical truth and justice for human rights victims during the Martial Law era. It brought together differing groups in the complex Philippine political opposition spectrum. There was a shared appreciation among the older generation present for the active involvement of the youth in continuing to defend historical truth and push back against the rewriting of history. 

We received messages of gratitude for continuing their fight because most of them are already in their 70s and 80s. Others have passed on. Many others who fought with them had disappeared and never resurfaced even after democracy was restored. The fight for truth and justice transcends time but never changes. We accept the passing of the torch, and we will keep its light burning for the next generations to come. – Rappler.com 

The authors are two of the three co-founders of Project Gunita, an initiative to archive documents from the Martial Law Era and push back against disinformation and historical denialism. Project Gunita is a partner of #FactsFirstPH for its #SaysayNgKasaysayan campaign.

Layon ng kampanyang #SaysayNgKasaysayan na labanan ang disimpormasyon sa social media, lalo na ang mga may kaugnayan sa kasaysayan. 

Ang ABKD Network, Tanggol Kasaysayan, at Project Gunita ay binubuo ng mga guro at estudyante ng kasaysayan mula sa iba’t ibang pamantasan sa Pilipinas. Samantala, ang Pitik Bulag ay isang kolektibo ng mga mangguguhit; habang ang Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission (HRVVMC) ay ang ahensya ng pamahalaan na may mandatong pangalagaan ang alaala ng mga naging biktima ng Martial Law.

Gintong anibersaryo ng Martial Law

Sa Setyembre 21, gugunitain ang ika-50 anibersaryo ng deklarasyon ng Martial Law sa ilalim ng yumaong pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, at nataon sa pagkakabalik ng kanyang pamilya sa Malacañang. 

Bago pa ito, maraming kasinungalingan tungkol sa administrasyon ng matandang Marcos ang kumalat sa social media, katulad ng Tallano Gold, Pilipinas bilang dating kaharian ng Maharlika, ang golden age ng ekonomiya, ang nutribun, at marami pang iba.

Bilang paggunita sa mga tunay na naganap sa ilalim ng diktadura, inilatag ng mga grupo ang iba’t ibang aktibidad mula Agosto hanggang katapusan ng Setyembre. 

ABKD Network

Inilunsad ng ABKD Network at mga mag-aaral mula sa isang klase ng National Service Training Program-College of Arts and Letters (NSTP-CAL) ng University of the Philippines Diliman ang elektronikong aklat pambata na Martial Law ABCs nitong Agosto 5. Layunin ng e-book na ito na mas maipaunawa sa mga kabataan ang mahahalagang naganap noong panahon ng Batas Militar.

Ayon sa lead convenor ng ABKD Network na si Propesor Francisco Jayme Paolo Guiang ng UP Diliman, “Mahalaga ang kolaborasyon ng ABKD at mga mag-aaral sa NSTP-CAL dahil pangunahing layunin ng Martial Law ABCs na ipaalam sa mas nakababatang henerasyon ang masalimuot na kasaysayan ng Batas Militar noong 1970s hanggang 1980s at ang pakikibaka ng mga Pilipino upang pabagsakin ang diktadura.” 

Ayon naman kay Propesor Jose Monfred Sy ng UP Diliman, guro ng mga mag-aaral sa NSTP-CAL, “Ang aklat pambata na ito ay isang malikhaing paraan upang labanan ang iba’t ibang porma ng disimpormasyon at distorsiyon sa kasaysayan na naglipana sa mga social media platforms.” 

Sa Agosto 11-12 naman gaganapin ang “Martial Law @ 50,” ang taunang pagtitipon ng CONTEND UP (​​Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy). Pag-uusapan ang madilim na bahagi ng kasaysayan noong Martial Law at susuriin kung paano muling nakabalik ang mga Marcos sa kapangyarihan. Ang CONTEND UP ay kabilang sa ABKD Network na binubuo ng mga guro at kawani ng mga unibersidad.

Manunumbalik ang regular na fact checks ng ABKD Network na kanilang ibinabahagi sa kanilang Lighthouse site, Facebook page, at Twitter account. Gamit ang comic strips at TikTok videos simula nang ilunsad ang #FactsFirstPH noong Enero 2022, nakalikha ang ABKD Network ng halos 200 na materyal upang banggain ang iba’t ibang uri ng disimpormasyon. 

@abkd_ph FACT-CHECK: TALLANO GOLD #bbm #election2022 #factcheck #learnontiktok #kasaysayan #fyp ♬ original sound – ABKD

Tanggol Kasaysayan

Bilang tugon sa komento ng direktor ng pelikulang Maid in Malacañang na hindi umano propesyon ang gawain ng mga historyador, tanong ni Professor Francis Geologo, na lead convenor ng Tanggol Kasaysayan: “Anong klaseng lipunan ang gustong buuin ng ganitong mapanganib na kaisipan? Isang lipunang walang kasaysayan? Isang bayan na binaluklot ang ang katotohanan?”

Inilunsad ng grupo ang “SingkwentAkda,” isang 50-day online countdown na nagsimula nitong Agosto 3 at nagtatampok ng iba’t ibang sipi mula sa mga librong tumatalakay sa Martial Law. Patuloy ang pagbabahagi ng mga siping ito sa Facebook page ng Tanggol Kasaysayan hanggang Setyembre 21. 

Nakalatag din ang paglunsad ng isang libro tungkol sa Martial Law sa darating na Setyembre 23. Sa pamamagitan ng isang webinar, ipaliliwanag ng mga patnugot at awtor ang kanilang naging proseso sa pagsaliksik at ang kanilang mga natagpuang impormasyon tungkol sa diktadura. 

Project Gunita

Pagkatapos ng dalawang buwan ng pag-aarkibo, inilunsad ng Project Gunita ang digital archives nito noong Hulyo 10. Nilalaman nito ang unang batch ng mga materyales katulad ng mga aklat, lumang pahayagan, at mga larawan mula sa koleksiyon ni Professor Dante Ambrosio. 

Noong Agosto 5 naman, pinangunahan ng Project Gunita ang isang block screening ng pelikulang Katips sa Gateway Cineplex 10, Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City. Dumalo at nagsalita rito sila Etta Rosales at Judy Taguiwalo, mga survivor ng martial law, at si Vince Tañada, ang direktor ng pelikula.

Sa Agosto 21, ang ika-51 anibersaryo ng pagbomba sa Plaza Miranda at ang ika-39 anibersaryo ng brutal na pagpaslang kina Benigno S. Aquino Jr. at Rolando Galman, pangungunahan ng Project Gunita ang isang malaking pagtitipon at aksiyon sa Bantayog ng mga Bayan. Katuwang nila ang People Power Volunteers for Reform, August Twenty-One Movement, ABKD, Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA), Bantayog ng mga Bayani, at iba pang partner-organizations.

Sa tabing ng “history fair,” maraming organisasyon at indibiduwal ang inaanyayahan ng Project Gunita na makilahok sa aktibidad na ito. Maliban sa paglalagay ng booths, magsisimula ang main program pagsapit ng 1 nh, ang eksaktong oras ng paglapag ni Ninoy sa Pilipinas. Iimbitahan ng Gunita na magsalita ang mga biktima at survivor ng batas militar, mga organisasyong nabuo sa panahon ng rehimeng Marcos, at mga buhay na saksi sa panahon ng diktadura. Isang konsiyerto ang magtatapos sa programa.

Tuloy-tuloy rin ang paglaban ng Project Gunita sa historical distortion gamit ang mga arkibo nito sa Facebook, Twitter, at Instagram. Ilulunsad naman ng Project Gunita sa mga paparating na linggo ang YouTube channel, TikTok account, at website nito.

Pitik Bulag

Bibigyang kulay naman ng grupong Pitik Bulag, isang kolektibo ng cartoonists, ang kampanyang #SaysayNgKasaysayan. Nakalikha ng halos 100 editorial cartoons ang Pitik Bulag bilang bahagi rin ng #FactsFirstPH mula Abril hanggang Hulyo 2022. 

Apat na Zoom webinar naman ang gaganapin ng Pitik Bulag mula Agosto hanggang Setyembre:

• Webinar 1 – Agosto 20, Sabado, 4-5:30 nh
  • Paksa: Basic online workshop on editorial cartooning
  • Tagapagsalita: Cartoonist Zach 

• Webinar 2 – Agosto 27, Sabado, 4-5:30 nh
  • Paksa: Basic online workshop on comics strip
  • Tagapagsalita: Isang Tasang Kape 

• Webinar 3 – Setyembre 3, Sabado, 4-5:30 nh
  • Paksa: Women in editorial cartooning
  • Tagapagsalita: Steph Bravo Semilla (Inquirer cartoonist)

• Webinar 4 – Setyembre 10, Sabado, 4-5:30 nh
  • Paksa: Being a Filipino-American cartoonist
  • Tagapagsalita: Angelo Lopez 

Abangan sa Facebook page ng Pitik Bulag at sa Rappler kung paano makakapagparehistro.

Ilulunsad ng Pitik Bulag sa Setyembre 11 ang editorial cartoon contest, na may temang kaugnay sa paglaban sa disimpormasyon tungkol sa Martial Law. Bukas ang patimpalak sa edad 15 at pataas. Para magkaroon ng dagdag-kaalaman ang contestants, maaari silang lumahok sa sumusunod na webinar: 

• Main Webinar – Setyembre 15, Huwebes, 4 nh hanggang 6 ng 
  • Paksa: How art can be used to combat disinformation
  • Mga tagapagsalita: Tarantadong Kalbo, Pitik Bulag representative, ABKD representative, Tanggol Kasaysayan representative, Rappler representative

Ang deadline ng contest ay sa Setyembre 20. Pipili ang Pitik Bulag, sa tulong ng ABKD at Rappler, ng Top 15 at ipo-post ang mga ito sa Pitik Bulag page. Maliban sa Top 3 winners ay gagawaran ng “People’s Choice Award” ang entry na may pinakamaraming reactions sa awarding ceremony sa Setyembre 23. 

Magkakaroon ng paggawa ng mga caricature ng mga personalidad noong Martial Law, kagaya ni Ninoy Aquino, simula Agosto 18. 

Higit sa lahat, aarangkada muli ang Pitik Bulag sa kanilang regular na fact checks sa pamamagitan ng cartoons at komiks. 

Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission (HRVVMC)

Inilunsad naman ng HRVVMC ang “#WeRemember Youtube series” nitong Agosto 5 ang dalawampung (20) mga bidyo kung saan sinasalaysay ang mga kuwento ng mga nabiktima ng Batas Militar. Layon ng proyektong ito na mailahad ang mga kuwento ng mga biktima na hindi pa naririnig ng publiko. Maaaring itong mapanood sa Youtube Channel ng HRVVMC.

Nitong Agosto 3 ay inilunsad naman ang “50 Before 50 project” na isa ring 50-day countdown bago ang ika-50 anibersaryo ng deklarasyon ng Martial Law. Limampung karanasasan ng mga nabiktima ng Batas Militar ang ating mababasa sa kanilang social media accounts.

Pangalagaan natin ang saysay ng kasaysayan at protektahan ang mga historyador na nagsasalaysay ng katotohanan. Suportahan ang #SaysayNgKasaysayan ng #FactsFirstPH! – Rappler.com