LIST: Events, activities for 52nd martial law anniversary
Various organizations set up events and activities to mark the 52nd anniversary of martial law, one of the darkest periods in Philippine history.
Martial law, enacted under Proclamation No. 1081, was signed on Sept. 21 but was declared on Sept. 23, 1972, by the late Ferdinand Marcos. The move, which lasted for over 10 years, recorded around 3,200 killings, 34,000 tortures, and 70,000 imprisonments, according to Amnesty International.
Protests, events, and activities are being held until the end of the month, which Filipinos can take part in and join the call to #NeverForget. Here are some of them.
Ateneo Student Catholic Action
Ateneo Student Catholic Action is joining the Nationwide Candle Lighting today, Sept. 21 at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani. The assembly started at 6:30 a.m., while the official candle lighting will be at 7:15 p.m.
They will also hold another candle-lighting event for the Ateneo community on Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m. at Gate 2.5.
A Liyab 2024 General Assembly dubbed "Pagtugon sa Tawag ng Panahon" will take place the following day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gonzaga Chapel, Colayco Pavilion.
Active Vista
Educational institution Active Vista is holding its 12th annual human rights festival, Espekulasyon, which will run until Oct. 6.
Among the films you can catch are Tumandok on Sept. 22, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Sine Pop, Quezon City; Ang Duyan ng Magiting on Sept. 28, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and Balota on Oct. 5 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Gateway Cineplex, Quezon City.
Short film competitions will also be held from Sept. 21 to Oct. 4 in Las Piñas, Quezon City, and Makati.
There are likewise forums and activities you can join, such as Art Tiangge, Our Tiangge on Sept. 28 at COMUNA, Makati City, and Gatilyo: Tatlong dula ng Pag-alala staged readings on Oct. 4 at Harong, PRRM Building in Quezon City.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)
The NHCP’s Museo ni Jose B. Lingad will hold an art exhibit on Sept. 22. Focusing on the nation’s dark past, the exhibit will cover the Japanese occupation, the martial law era, and the Hacienda Luisita massacre in 2004.
Interested guests may register here, but note that this will not guarantee you a sure slot to the exhibit. In case you weren't selected for the opening, you can still view it as it will be made available to the public until Oct. 22.
1081 Exhibit
Staying in Cebu? The annual 1081 Exhibit is open until Sept. 22 at the UP Cebu Administration Building.
Carrying this year’s theme of “Tagubtob sa Kamatuoran: Remember, Reveal, Resist,” the multimedia art exhibit puts the spotlight on individuals who “fought for truth and justice during this dark period in Philippine history.”
UPFI Film Center
UP Diliman’s UPFI Film Center is screening martial law-themed films for this year’s commemoration.
Martial law documentary film, 11,103—helmed by Mike Alcarazen and Jeannette Ifurung—is screening on Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. Tickets are priced at P200 for regular goers and P150 for students, seniors, PWDs, and government employees with ID.
The film tickets will go live an hour before screen time and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, the UPFI Film Center will screen JL Burgos’ Alipato at Muog documentary, which chronicles the abduction of his brother, Jonas Burgos in 2007. Tickets are priced at P200 for regular goers and P150 for students, seniors, and PWDs. You may reserve your tickets in advance here.
'11,103' screenings
11,103 will also be screened in campuses and universities until October. See the list of upcoming showings below:
- Philippine Science High School: Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Tentatively)
- De La Salle College of Saint Benilde: Friday, Sept. 27, 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Letran: Monday, Sept. 30 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- LPU, in partnership with Human Rights Violations Victims' Memorial Commission (HRVVMC): Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The film features the stories of the survivors of state-sponsored violence under martial law.