What are the key takeaways that the future generation can get from the Martial Law era?
The day that should never be forgotten and should never repeat again!
It has been almost five decades after the start of one of the darkest eras in Philippine History and for the new generation today, we stand with nothing but the memories of what transpired in the past.
The Marcos regime was glorious to some but gruesome to many. Only a hand full of people could live to retell their stories and many of the youth continue to sit down and listen to these truths that were not told in History books.
Last September 21, 2021, the Quill randomly asked allied health students who are now undergoing limited face-to-face classes and non-teaching staff of SWU to take part in this Pulse to see what thoughts they have of the stories of the Marcos regime. Read and reflect on their responses to the question: “What are the key takeaways that the future generation can get from the Martial Law era?”
History repeats itself when people treat facts as breadcrumbs, taking only parts that suit their lifestyle instead of treating it as it is- a whole. It’s important that we understand our privilege and the responsibility on our hands to make sure that we do not disregard the brutality, killings, and injustices (the numbers are there) because of the sheer bare minimum that our leaders are obliged to act on. Just because it did not happen to us, it does not mean that it’s not real. Also, “getting over it/ moving on” does not mean forgetting the atrocity of those dark days, invalidating the horrors, and yet again letting clear warning signs of a probable repetition go unnoticed.
Anna Celeste Y. Garcia, College of Medical Technology
First, love of country gyud and disiplina. Kana bang dapat magpakabana. Pero not through force. Activism during that time is at hike gyud. Magpakabana ka in a way na di mag gamit og force. Karon, ang social media, pero dili lang pud palabian kay naa man tay freedom pero limitado sad. And then, sa mga batan-on sa: pagkakaron, kuwang ta gyud og disiplina. Para lang gyud ang atong ekonomiya og nasud mo lambo, disiplina lang ta unya dili nato dapat i-put down ang isig ka-taw nato. Tabangan nato og lift up, tabangay ta isip Filipino.
Ate Vicky, Cafeteria Vendor
Marcos was never a hero and never will be. Let us not repeat history again by doing the same mistakes from the past. Vote wisely for this country’s better future.
Werlie Ann Herbieto, College of Nursing
Klaro na kayo no na kita Pilipino ang sistema nato ingana lagi walay klaro na kayo na grabeg corrupt. Ingana lagi di maayo tungod sa mga dilawan lagi. Atong suwayan basig mamao pa ning [Bong Bong] Marcos. Basig mabalik dati nga gi tahod ang Pilipinas. Basig kumbaga ibalik, himuog “great” ang Pilipinas balik ba kay sa una, gitawag gud ang Pilipinas na “Tiger of Asia” ana. Karon ang Pilipinas luoy na kaayo. I-kuan, i-look down kaayog laing mga countries.
Jeric Inojales, Able Services Worker
Think outside the box, dili sila mu sulti na, “ahh sobra ra kaayu si Marcos.” Ato i-wide range ato panghuna-huna. Ngano diay, para asa jud diay sya? Ngano diay na sya na hitabo and kana dili lang galing sya one-sided. Dapat both sides ato [tanawon] gali. Ang ako lang jud gusto sa ato generation karun noh, ma open minded sila.
Rica Baguio, College of Nursing
Two things.
(1) Alone, we could do so little, together we could do so much.
Because of the many abuses and violations of human rights during Martial Law, Filipinos stood side by side to dethrone the oppressor. With the collective effort of our fellow Filipinos, tyranny came to an end. Faith in humanity was restored.
(2) Remember our history.
Worst things happen because we tolerate it, learn how to resist. Let us all be critical and vocal because it’s time to stop being blind followers and just settling to be an audience. May we never forget the grave experiences, and the lives of thousands who were killed, tortured, silenced and imprisoned.
Nica Manique, College of Medical Technology
