MANILA, Philippines – A number of schools kicked off their activities marking the the 45th anniversary of Martial Law declaration by putting up symbols of indignation early on Thursday, September 21.
Even with classes in public schools suspended, students from state and private universities mobilized and joined marches toward Luneta Park in Manila, where all protest activities were to culminate Thursday evening. (READ: LIST: Martial Law 45th anniversary activities, protests)
Here are some snapshots of how these educational institutions remembered the darkest chapter of Philippine history. (READ: What to expect on September 21)
Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo Junior High School set up posters around the campus in Quezon City.
"Our main objective is to make our students more aware that Martial Law was real. We try to put faces to names, and actions to words." Miko Africa, a teacher who heads the school's Christian Service and Involvement Program, told Rappler.
This year the program wanted to veer away from the usual tragic stories regarding Martial Law. Instead, it will highlight the heroic acts of young Ateneans who stood up against the dictatorship.
"By highlighting these positive points in a dark history of our country, we challenge our students to become agents of hope – to never stop listening to stories, so that they will never cease to tell stories. So that the future generations will never forget," Africa said.
In the Loyola Schools, school publications released a joint statement to condemn the closure of newspapers, including student publications that supposedly spread propaganda against the Marcos regime, during martial law.
"Sa panahon ng pagpapatahimik, panunupil, at karahasan, huwag tayong magpadala sa lunos. Lalo tayong tinatawag na magpakatatag at manindigan para sa katotohanan at katarungan," they said in a Facebook note. (Let's not be discouraged by the tragedy of censorship, repression, and violence. All the more that we are called to be strong ans stand up for truth and justice.)
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De La Salle University
A black cloth with the words "Stop the killings. Start the healing" printed on it hung on the facade of Saint La Salle Hall.
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University of the Philippines
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University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban
University of Santo Tomas
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LOOK: UST Simbahayan launches the Martial Law exhibit at the Tan Yan Kee Student Center. <a href="https://t.co/NxOJJZbNTv">pic.twitter.com/NxOJJZbNTv</a></p>— The Varsitarian (@varsitarianust) <a href="https://twitter.com/varsitarianust/status/909995769167413248">September 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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– Rappler.com