MANILA, PHILIPPINES – On Saturday, September 21, Filipinos will commemorate the anniversary of Martial Law, marking 52 years after then-president Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081 that ushered in a dark chapter in Philippine history.
During that period, freedom of speech was suppressed, human rights violations were rampant. Several political prisoners remain missing up to this day.
These problems still persist under the presidency of the late dictator’s son and namesake, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
To make sure that Filipinos do not forget, various organizations will again conducting commemorative events to remind the public about the atrocities committed during martial rule as well as those who were abused and suffered during the period.
Here is a running list of events and activities of local groups and organizations for the 52nd commemoration of Martial Law.
1081 Exhibit
1081 Exhibit of the University of the Philippines Cebu will hold “Pagkisayod sa Kamatuoran: Ang Sugilanon Mahitungod sa Batas Militar,” an educational discussion tackling the role of media and journalism in countering historical revisionism. This is set to happen on Friday, September 20, from 9 am to 12 pm, at the UP Cebu Arts and Sciences Hall, in UP Cebu. Register here for free.
Active Vista
Active Vista is organizing a series of film screenings that revisit the grim past of the Martial Law period, from September 20 to 21, in various theaters and universities in Metro Manila. Check the schedule and screening venues here.
Adhika-Southern Tagalog
Adhika-Southern Tagalog, in partnership with Youth Movement Against Tyranny Southern Tagalog, will conduct “Kapehan at Kwentuhang Bayan: Marcos Noon, Marcos Ngayon,” on Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 5 pm to 8 pm, at the CAS A2 MPH1 in UP Los Baños. The activity will focus on highlighting recurring patterns of state oppression by “exploring the parallels between the Marcos Sr. dictatorship and the current administration of Marcos Jr.” Register here to join.
Assumption College of Davao-Basic Education Department
TheAssumption College of Davao Basic Education Department invites students to join the educational discussion “Boses ng Kasaysayan: Susi ng Pagsusulong ng Karapatang Pantao” on Monday, September 23, from 8 am to 10 am, at the Assumption College of Davao Gymnasium.
Ateneo de Davao University-UCEAC
The Ateneo de Davao University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council invites its community to join the candlelighting and prayer program themed “Remembering Martial Law, Upholding Democracy!” to pay tribute to Martial Law victims and activists on Saturday, September 21, 6 pm, at the Our Lady of the Assumption Statue in the Jacinto Campus Grounds. Click here to register.
Ateneo Martial Law Museum and Library
The Ateneo Martial Law Museum and Library, along with the Ateneo Student Catholic Action and Office of Campus Ministry, will hold a university Mass with the theme “Paggunita kay Edjop at sa lahat ng nag-alay ng kanilang buhay noon Martial Law,” on Friday, September 20, 12 pm, at the Gonzaga Hall at the Immaculate Conception College Chapel. The Mass is for the people who offered their lives for justice and democracy during Martial Law.
Benilde Center for Social Action
The Benilde Center for Social Action is inviting everyone to participate in “Adbokaserye: Demokrasya, Karapatan, at Kapayapaan,” a week-long event featuring exhibits, film screenings, and tours in Martial Law museums from September 13 to 28. Check out the full calendar of activities below.
Buhay Ang EDSA Campaign Network
The Buhay Ang EDSA Campaign Network is organizing “Never Again. Never Forget,” a nationwide candle lighting campaign in more than 21 sites nationwide on September 21.
Assembly time is at 6:30 pm, while the simultaneous candle-lighting ceremony in participating areas will begin at 7:15 pm, the same time the dictator Marcos, announced in a live broadcast that he had placed the country under Martial Law.
The participating areas with confirmed venues are the following:
- Quezon City, Metro Manila – Bantayog ng mga Bayani
- Greater Vigan, Ilocos Sur – Sta. Catalina Parish Church
- Baguio City, Benguet – Post Office Loop
- Angeles, Pampanga – Holy Rosary Parish Church
- Tarlac City, Tarlac – Aquino Center
- Olongapo, Zambales – Columban Fathers
- Dasmariñas, Cavite – De La Salle University
- Calamba City, Laguna – San Pedro Calungsod Parish Church
- Pila, Laguna – St. Anthony de Padua Parish Church
- Cabuyao, Laguna – St. Polycarp Parish Church
- Sta. Cruz, Laguna – Nineveh Art Space
- Lucena City, Quezon – St. Ferdinand Cathedral
- Montalban, Rizal – Kasiglahan Highway
- Angono, Rizal – LP Headquarters, San Isidro, Angono
- Irosin, Sorsogon – Veritas College
- Bacolod, Negros Occidental – Bacolod City Public Plaza
- Iloilo City, Iloilo – Outside LP Headquarters, La Paz
- Isabela, Basilan – Isabela Plaza, Valderoza Street
- Davao City, Davao del Sur – Freedom Park
The following sites are participating but the venues have yet to be confirmed. We will update this page with the confirmed venues once available.
- Bacoor, Cavite
- Cebu City, Cebu
- Lingayen and Dagupan, Pangasinan
- San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan
- Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
- Surigao City, Surigao del Norte
- Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
BULSU CSSP Local Student Council
The Bulacan State University’s College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council will hold “GUNITA: 52nd Martial Law Commemoration, A Solemn Tribute Through History, Film and Candlelight Ceremony” on Friday, September 20, from 1 pm to 7:30 pm, at the CSSP Ground and CSSP AVR 214 – 215, within the campus.
Human Rights and People Empowerment Center
The Human Rights and People Empowerment Center, in partnership with Project Nameless, DAKILA, and Active Vista, among others, is organizing “MiyerKULET! Repression and Resistance,” featuring several film screenings and talkback sessions with filmmakers and Martial Law survivors. This will run from September 11 to 27, at Harong, 56 Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City, every 7 pm. Register here.
Karapatan
Karapatan, along with the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law, invites everyone to join their on-ground protest, with the main call, “Itigil ang Panunupil! Marcos Singilin, Duterte Panagutin!” on Saturday.
The caravan will start at 9 am at Gate 2 of University of Santo Tomas, then move to Mendiola by 12 pm to gather with other progressive groups.
Ilocos Sur Volunteers for Angat Buhay
Ilocos Sur Volunteers for Angat Buhay will carry out a prayer and candle-lighting rally with the theme “Overcoming the Lingering Darkness of Martial Law,” on Friday, September 21, at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Santa Catalina, Ilocos Sur.
Movement for Accountability, Truth, Change, and Human Dignity
MATCH-Movements for Accountability, Truth, Change, and Human Dignity invites the public to “Lagip ti Amianan, Saan to Manen,” a series of educational discussions from September 13 to 21, that will discuss peace talks, human rights, and the Anti-Terrorism Council, among others, in various locations in Baguio.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines-Museo ni Jose B. Lingad will host an exhibit titled “Sugat ng Kahapon: Mga Madidilim na Yugto sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas,” featuring artworks of Paul Gillesania that portray various forms of authoritarian rule from the Japanese period, Martial Law, to the Hacienda Luisita massacre in 2004.
The exhibit opens on Sunday, September 22, at the Museo ni Jose B. Lingad in Lubao, Pampanga. Secure a slot by registering here.
One Big Fight for Human Rights and Democracy
One Big Fight for Human Rights and Democracy invites the Ateneo community to their week-long activities featuring film screenings, placard- and banner-making, university Mass, and mobilization, from September 18 to 21.
PHINMA Rizal College Laguna Student Council
The Philippine Investment Management Rizal College Laguna Student Council will be conducting a candlelighting ceremony as tribute to the victims of Martial Law. Interested students and faculty members can join the event on Saturday, 6:30 pm, at the school grounds.
Silakbo-Baybay Film Organization
Silakbo-Baybay Film Organization, in collaboration with Visayas State University Institute of Strategic Research and Development Studies, will facilitate “SAYSAY: Echoes of Resistance,” a film screening of Martial Law-related films on Monday,from 4 pm to 6 pm, at the ADE Building in Visayas State University.
The film screening is free of charge. Preregistration will soon be announced on their page.
Student Christian Movement of the Philippines-UST
Student Christian Movement of the Philippines-UST will hold online discussions, mobilization, and candle lighting ceremonies from September 18 to 20. Register here to join the online discussion.
UP Artists’ Circle-Baguio Chapter
The University of the Philippines Artists’ Circle-Baguio Chapter is calling for artists interested in submitting artworks portraying themes related to Martial Law. You may submit your entries until Wednesday, September 25, and chosen artworks will be posted on their virtual exhibit.
Submitted artworks will also be part of their exhibit, which will be held at UP Baguio on Friday, September 27. These will also be posted online on the same date.
UP Visayas University Student Council
The University of the Philippines Visayas Student Council will conduct “Pagbakod sa Pahinumdom,” a series of activities, including a forum discussion, cultural night, and candle-lighting rally from September 18 to 21, at the UP Visayas Miagao and Iloilo City campuses.
UP College of Forestry and Natural Resources Student Council
The UP College of Forestry and Natural Resources Student Council will conducting “Salinlahi: Pag-Igpaw ng Laban ng mga Manggugubat ng Bayan Para sa Kalayaan!” a series of art exhibits and educational discussions happening from September 20 to 27 within the university college campus.
Youth Act Now Against Tyranny-Baguio-Benguet
Youth Act Now Against Tyranny-Baguio-Benguet is organizing a series of education discussions, forums, protest actions, and research conferences from September 13 to 23. The series aims to discuss the human rights situation in the country, mobilize the youth against historical distortion and fascism, and call for justice for Martial Law victims.
–With reports from Vic Arroyo and Thea Santos/Rappler.com
Do you know other upcoming events that commemorate Martial Law’s 52nd anniversary? Feel free to share the details through move.ph@rappler.com.
Vic Arroyo is a Rappler volunteer from the University of the Philippines Visayas. He is a fourth-year student taking a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies.
Thea Santos is a Rappler volunteer from Our Lady of Fatima University- Pampanga Campus. She’s a 3rd year student taking up a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Currently, she’s the Editorial Writer and Editor for The Fatimanian Gazette, the official publication of OLFU Pampanga headed by the Communication Arts Department.