INFORMATION on Martial Law must be accurately passed down to the next generations, survivors emphasized during a seminar hosted by the UST Senior High School ahead of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
Two speakers from the Survivors’ Hub, a group composed of Martial Law survivors, said sharing their stories would keep the memory of Martial Law and the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution “alive.”
Maria Christina Bawagan, a retired Philippines Science High School teacher and a Martial Law victim, said telling her story to the youth symbolized her “passing the torch” in her “sunset years.”
“When we see you na puro kayo zeal and enthusiasm, it gives us hope. Kayo na ang susunod,” she said in a session organized by the UST SHS Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Society on Feb. 20.
Bawagan also commended the youth for their involvement in the political sphere, such as actively participating in protests over the flood-control scandal and choosing progressive candidates in elections.
“We hope that more young people, especially from the urban poor, [will join], kasi ang findings pala, from the urban poor community, kulang na kulang. Kulang na kulang sa education and awareness,” she said.
Bawagan and her sister, former Commission on Human Rights chair Etta Rosales, suffered abuse and sexual harassment while they were detained during Martial Law in 1981.
Nilda Fullon, another Martial Law survivor, said the stories of first-hand witnesses can help educate the youth on the importance of choosing the right leaders.
“Pinakita nila ‘yong 2022 youth vote, diba? Ibig sabihin lahat ng mga pinaggagawa naming organizing and sharing, nagkakaroon ng epekto,” she said.
“Lahat ng ginawa nating organizing, pag-kukuwento, namulat ang youth, nag-shift na ang voting, so may malaking pag-asa na pagdating ng 2028, dadalhin ng kabataan ‘yong pag-asa ng bayan,” Fullon added.
During her sophomore year, Fullon was walking home from school when two men accused her of being an activist and arrested her.
She was 19 years old when she was abducted, harassed, and detained by military men on charges of subversion.
The seminar, titled “Tao sa tao: Diwa’t Gunita ng mga Pamanang Alaala ng Batas Militar at EDSA People Power Revolution,” was held at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Building Auditorium.
UST SHS HUMSS Program Chair Aldrine Guevarra said the seminar was held to “promote historical awareness and truth.”
“Naniniwala kami that there is a very huge gap in historical knowledge between your generation and the other generations. Ito ay seminar ng pag-aaral kasi in the age of social media, very rampant ‘yong misinformation and disinformation,” Guevarra said.
“As teachers of history, we can never tolerate historical distortion. Ito ‘yong totoong nangyari, pero binabali at sinisira ‘yong totoong nangyari. We are committed to historical truth,” he said.
