The University of the Philippines (UP) opened this year’s Day of Remembrance with the theme: “Dambana ng Gunita: Mga Hulagway ng Pagkamulat at Kabayanihan, 1972-1986.”

The two-day event, held on Zoom and livestreamed on the TVUP website and Youtube channel, showcased four webinars: “Hamon ng Batas Militar”, “Detendido. Desaparecido”, “Patungong People Power: ‘Turning Points’”, and “Sining at Panitik: Daluyan ng Tinig”.

The webinars featured the experiences and stories of UP alumni and faculty who fought against the tyranny and despotism of the Marcos rule. The program also showcased recorded protest performances and an online exhibit depicting sights and sounds of life under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ military rule.

“May kasabihan nga na those who forget the past [are] condemned to repeat it. I’d like to tell everyone na ang lahat ng karanasan ng nakaraan ay may kabuluhan sa kinabukasan. Patuloy nating alalahanin ang mga nangyari noong Martial Law para matutunan natin kung paano lalaban sa mga elemento na nais maibalik ang ganoong sitwasyon sa ating bansa,” said activist and musical director Susan Tagle.

UP holds a Day of Remembrance every September 21 to commemorate its “collective memories of the events leading to and following the declaration of Martial Law from the 1970s to the mid-1980’s

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Gian Angnged | News staffer