21/09/2022
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ML50: never forget or just move on?
Today, Wednesday, September 21, 2022, the Philippines commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Martial Law Declaration.
Various protests from progressive groups, special screenings on ML-related films and youth assemblies among others are expected to happen within the day.
Student bodies from prestigious universities are encouraging students to “wear black” to “show solidarity against the oppression and to commemorate the brave Filipino people who fought for their rights”.
Today’s events also coincide with “Martial Law @ 50” or “ML50” campaign that was launched on July 21, 2022 led by former political prisoners multi-awarded director Joel Lamangan and former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo.
“Never forget,” “Tuloy ang Laban,” “Never Again” – these are some of the battle cries screamed in anger by anti-Marcos forces and Martial Law survivors.
On the other hand, some pro-Marcos sectors are painting the Martial Law years as the “golden age” debunking allegations that it was one of the darkest periods in Philippine history.
Two solons even appealed to Filipinos to “move on” otherwise, how can everyone “grow” if they are stuck in the past.
“Mag-move on na tayo,” said Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.
“Imagine, President (Bongbong) Marcos got the highest number of votes in Philippine history. 31 million, o, hindi pa ba sapat yun? Mag-move on na tayo,” he said.
Philippine cinema’s ‘Bad Boy’ and now number one Senator Robin Padilla also echoed the same sentiment.
“Mga anak, mag-move on na po tayo,” said Padilla. “Kung may kasalanan man yung ating dating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., hindi po kasalanan ng anak yun.”
“Kahit sa Catholic Faith, yung kasalanan ni Adan, hindi naman kasalanan natin,” he added.
“Saka ako mismo, personally, pag hindi tayo nakaalis diyan sa Marcos issue at Martial Law issue na yan, kailangan pa tayo mag-go-grow?” he said.
In a seeming response to ML50, controversial director and the brainchild behind the Philippines’ third highest grossing film of all-time ‘Maid in Malacanang’ Darryl Yap is coming up with another sure-hit dramedy ‘Kalimutan Mo Kaya’ which is set to be streamed today.
KMK will star Senator Imee Marcos, sister of the sitting President.
“Just FORGET the pain, the bitter past, the destructive hate and revenge; learn to love, hope and forgive AGAIN and AGAIN,” Yap said in a Facebook post on September 17, 2022.
What do you think? Should Filipinos never forget or for everyone’s sake move on and just forget? RONALD SIONGCO/GDM
PHOTO: The Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines
