Redefining Heroism: The Shifting Perspectives on Brutality During Martial Law

REDEFINING HEROISM:

The Shifting Perspectives on Brutality During Martial Law

The National Guilder

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief IZEL PRAISE FERNANDEZ De La Salle University - Manila Managing Editor MIGUEL ATIENZA Lyceum of the Philippines University - Manila Associate Editor JOHN BENIDICK FLORES Banyuhay, Quezon City Science High School National News Editor ANGELA JO NIDAY The NORSUnian, Negros Oriental State University Community News Editor MAICA RAZON Adamson University Features Editor SOFIA BEATRIZ CABRAL Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Manila GEORGE RIVERA Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology Literary Editor RUSSEL ANTHONY LORETO Trinity Observer, Trinity University of Asia Research Editor MARGALO DOHERTY AKANE ALAGAO The Paulinian, St. Paul University - Iloilo Layout Editor CAMILLE FINULIAR Mother Margherita de Brincat Catholic School

Writers DAN LAURENZ SIPALAY The Spectrum, Philippine Normal University EVEROSE MARTIRIZAR-ASIDOY The Courier, West Visayas State University KIKO MAGA De La Salle University - Manila JUSTINE XYRAH GARCIA University of Sto. Tomas - Manila Graphic and Layout Artists GWYNETH CRUZ The Manila Collegian, University of the Philippines - Manila ROWZ FAJARDO The Manila Collegian, University of the Philippines - Manila RAFAELA ABUCEJO The Catalyst, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Manila

Introduction PAGE 4

Martial Law Heroes PAGE 5

Poem I: Eye-Opener, Heart-Breaker PAGE 7

Poem II: To Whom It May Concern?

PAGE 9

Poem III: Catalyst PAGE 11

Poem IV: The Delta Room PAGE 13

Poem V: Turning Tables PAGE 15

Conclusion PAGE 17

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Since time immemorial, the idea of heroism usually involves the big brave moments, wherein the hero bested all odds and emerged triumphant.

But the most menacing dragons are the everyday injustices and maltreatment that we have been desensitized into. Such was the situation during the Martial Law period, an ironic time of lawlessness and police brutality.

Journalists and lawyers fought for everyday rights and the restoration of justice in an already decaying system. This literary folio seeks to highlight the courage of these modern-day heroes, serving as a testament to the strength of the Filipino people.

In a way, they rid the Philippine Isles of a dragon whose mark carved itself into our history. This mark is a reminder that the fight is not yet over, for us and for the Filipino people.

Stand up, dear readers. Polish your pens. Read on.

CHEL DIOKNO Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel'' Diokno is a Filipino veteran human rights lawyer. He is the son of the anti-Marcos icon Jose W. "Ka Pepe'' Diokno who was then arrested without a warrant during the Martial Law period when Chel was only 11 years old. This act of injustice fueled young Chel to dream of becoming a lawyer just like his father.

Later on, Diokno became a fixture in the Philippine legal scene, and is the chair of the well-established Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), which has represented activists and journalists throughout its existence across different administrations.

LILIOSA HILAO Liliosa Hilao is known as the first reported case of a student activist who died in detention during the Martial law period. She was a 23-year-old Communication Arts student at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). She was also a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and PLM’s Communication Arts Club organizer.

She died in April 1973, when she was abducted by drunken soldiers from the Constabulary Anti-Narcotics Unit who then tortured and sexually abused her. Her case was closed after the CANU reported that Hilao had taken her own life by drinking muriatic acid.

Two weeks later, Ms. Liliosa Hilao was given posthumous honors (Cum Laude) on her graduation day to honor her excellence and remarkable legacy.

EVELIO JAVIER Atty. Evelio Javier, a native of Antique, is known as the youngest governor of Antique at the early age of 28. During Martial law, he returned from the United States back to the Philippines after the death of Ninoy Aquino in 1983 for a seat in the martial law parliament as the representative of Antique but after he lost the Election against the promarcos Arturo Pacificador, he delegated all his energy into campaigning for Corazon Aquino and Salvador Laurel—then President Marcos’ competitors for the snap presidential elections set to happen during the first week of February 1986.

On February 11, 1986, he was assassinated less than a hundred meters away from Antique’s provincial capitol, right in the heart of the Freedom Park. His death was a primary catalyst for the event that is widely known as the People Power Revolution.

NINOY AQUINO Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. was the chief opposition leader during the era of Martial law in the Philippines (1972–81). A staunch critic of President Ferdinand Marcos, Aquino’s assassination in 1983 galvanized popular opposition with regards to the regime and brought his widow, Corazon Aquino, to the political forefront.

With plans to run for President in 1973, Aquino was thwarted in 1972 when President Marcos declared Martial law; he spent the next eight (8) years in prison, being sentenced to death in November 1977. In 1980, Marcos commuted the death sentence and allowed Aquino to go to the United States for heart-bypass surgery.

On August 12, 1983, he was shot in the head while leaving the airplane at Manila Airport under tight security. Aquino’s death sparked widespread demonstrations, charging the government with complicity in the assassination act.

ETTA ROSALES Loretta Ann “Etta” P. Rosales was an activist and a teacher during the Marcos regime. Because of her active participation in mass movements, Rosales was a hot target by the Philippine military.

She was arrested twice—being subjected to torture during her second arrest. She was suffocated with a belt, stripped, subjected to the Russian roulette and was water cured multiple times; at some point, she was also electrocuted.

Years after Martial Law, Rosales is still fighting for human rights. She was the former party list representative of AKBAYAN Citizens’ Action Party from 1998 to 2007 and also served as the chairperson of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) from 2010 to 2015.

ILLUSTRATION | ROWZ FAJARDO

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By Dan Laurenz Sipalay The world ain’t all rainbows and sunshine.

I learned that with the arrival of the first sign.

Why did they take Papa away?

Me and my family did not even have a final say.

Shoved into a bus with no room to wriggle I spent the cold night outdoors with no toys to fiddle Tears rolled down my face that night Yet no one heard my screams, try as I might I hope Papa will come back and carry me. wrapped in that sweet, loving embrace, dear me.

If he was here right now he'd wipe my face, With his calloused hands and a soft hanky lace.

It broke my heart when he waved at me.

More so, when I witnessed his imprisonment.

Papa did not do anything wrong, why the forced atonement?

That’s when I decided to be a lawyer that fights scrutiny.

Injustice and corruption in the system Are where lots of problems stem.

An event that opened my eyes and broke my heart Shall not be the end, but the righteous start.

LITERARY

ILLUSTRATION | ROWZ FAJARDO

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By Everose Martirizar-Asidoy

The stroke of truth amidst the dictatorial manifestation Within the dark ages of great turmoil Hands weeping with the death of democracy To repel against the condemnation of freedom From the trooper’s raging soul.

“To whom it may concern?” Said I When goons and guns taunted your flesh To cover their lies.

When you scribe the unsung song of the people, Hark, for tribulation we decry!

To whom it may concern?

When my execution is just the beginning Of a nation’s grief.

Thus, a tangible evidence for the masses Will be my living legacy.

To wear the burden and the void, as a sign of lamentation.

To offer my blood and bones to the Marcosian inferno To whom it may concern?

When the word “democracy” means death, Gnashing of teeth through an unholy defeat.

To stand still amidst the thumping heart of torment, My burnt lips and throat will sing the nation’s fear Tongue will tell the untold chapter.

But to stabilize the freedom of this country. . .

Only you could declare.

LITERARY

ILLUSTRATION | ROWZ FAJARDO

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By Everose Martirizar-Asidoy To change the narrative of my people I choose to be with the masses To dream for the dreamers of democracy To die with honor so that justice may live.

A political animal in pursuit of the unthinkable To resist against the raging terror From the bloodbath of the Marcosian dictator And if my countrymen live with an utmost struggle I will suffer with thee And lead thy citizens in times of great need But if the tyrant’s might prevail under the flawed system Must we be enraged to seek liberty?

For I will not dwell with complacency Because to gamble one’s life Is a life well lived not only for the people But for the pearl of the orient seas 1986 11th of February Bullet through my body dictate the country’s fate My death in the heart of the freedom Park Became the catalyst of the people for this land to be free

LITERARY

ILLUSTRATION | GWYNETH CRUZ

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By Kiko Maga One AM with my paper and pen Came in six carloads with Forty men.

Was hunted like a loose mouse.

For I am one of their targets Klaus.

People threatened. No warrant.

Sunshine yellow now a servant.

Chosen Land and My Country was sung.

To prove there’s still a working lung.

Going to forts, back and forth.

No bloke can go in to give support.

Rights and Yellows weep on the ground.

For their freedom cannot be found.

Seven hundred and eighteen days have passed.

And now I can get out of my cast.

The day I fell, Justice was not served.

The day I arose, Justice changed the world.

LITERARY

ILLUSTRATION | GWYNETH CRUZ

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By Justine Xyrah Garcia I used to stand before my students, And call their names from the shuffled cards; They have no idea of the chances, It depends on which card my finger lands.

And now I stand in the dark, Listening to the sound of a moving cylinder.

This is a matter of life and death, a shot in the dark, A blank canvas of shuffled cards.

In revolting, I found my power!

Along with the masses who long for the ouster of a tyrant whose hands were filled with blood.

In a revolver, my life flashed back One shot to the head, and I'll see Nothing but pitch black Currents of power ran through my veins, While dirty water made my nose drained, All of these I suffered while naked, But still nothing compared to what I saw: My former student was my torturer; I was raging red, until I became blue.

Tables had turned because of what I believe, And what I teach, what I tell to my students and to the people in the streets Four corners did not limit me to fight!

Even when there were days when I never saw the light.

LITERARY

The night when the uninvited guests took Papa away Visiting the iron bars redefined the “normalcy” Oligarchs laugh when they came to play Here I questioned the narrative of Vox Populi Vox dei.

Then in my mind, to enter the court gained supremacy.

If the watchdogs disappear, condemned to its faded glory Tangible evidence of the tyrant’s secrecy Will unleash its fangs to retell the unwritten story For I will be the ghost writer of the youth’s echoing desire for freedom Resurrecting democracy to alter the course of my dear motherland.

Beyond the military walls of a blood-stained governance The caged bird will sing our hearts’ desire.

Indeed, the freedom will be defended by the truth when it is attacked by lies And if I should die with thee Then let my fate set this nation free.

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