Immortalized Books That Are Slowly Dying

 

— E.V.

It has been 36 years since the Martial Law was lifted in the Philippines. Several publications documenting and criticizing this infamous period have emerged on social media.

This serves as a timely reminder that literature is and will always be a powerful instrument, and that reading is critical to discovering the truth and unlearning revisionism.

According to early and unconfirmed results, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the late dictator's son and namesake, is on the verge of winning the Philippines presidential election by a landslide, perhaps bringing the Marcos dynasty back to Malacañang Palace 36 years after fleeing a major revolt.

It's critical to remember that, even and especially in politics, both truth and excellent narrative are critical tools. Reading about the Philippines in the 70s and 80s via the work of numerous prolific authors is an easy way to revisit this era, which is decades old but far from forgotten.

Here are some books that will help us in learning more about our history and guide us in our present thinking and actions for a better future:

1. “Marcos Martial Law: Never Again” (2016) by Raissa Robles

Raissa Robles' depiction of the horrific acts and injustices under martial law is thorough. The events leading up to, during, and after martial law are detailed in this book, which is backed up by sources and research.

     2. "The Conjugal Dictatorship" (1976) by Primitivo Mijares

Primitivo Mijares, Marcos' media adviser at the time, brazenly reveals the horrible abuse of power that transpired before his departure from government in 1975 in this book. His book is a sobering look at the events that shaped and led up to martial law being declared

  

           

       3. "Gun Dealers' Daughter" (2012) by Gina Apostol

Readers will witness the heroine, Soledad "Sol" Soliman, an affluent young adult navigating her memories in the years after a tale she puts together as the novel unfolds, battle between her awareness of political crimes and the luxury she relies on.

 

4. "The Jupiter Effect" (2006) by Katrina Tuvera

This book, like "Gun Dealers' Daughter," depicts martial law from the eyes of affluent individuals. This book puts you in the shoes of those who lived under martial law. Katrina Tuvera creates a realistic narrative of Kiko and Gaby as they grow up during the martial law era.

 

 

5. ‘Subversive Lives’ (2012) by Susan and Nathan Quimpo

The Quimpo siblings recount their anti-Marcos activities when they were younger. It's a witness to how average Filipinos lived under Marcos' reign, and it's a valuable perspective at an era when revisionism and misleading claims about martial law are rampant.

 6. Dekada ‘70 Lualhati Bautista

The main characters Amanda and Julian are doing their best to raise their five boys in the Philippines amid Ferdinand Marcos' brutal rule. Though they are apolitical, the majority of their sons despise living under martial law and engage in different types of agitation. Amanda begins to develop her own dissident voice after the family is victimized by extreme violence.

 

Nowadays, it has become a norm that speaking about facts will make you disrespectful and people will silence you. Never be afraid to speak up for what’s right and just.

You have a voice, shout until the deaf hears you. You have eyes, help the blind see the injustices and corruption in our nation. You have a gift, use it to help the helpless get on back on their feet and fight for what is right.

“A nation that forgets its past has no future.”
- Winston Churchill