[NEVER FORGET] The Blue Normal - Radio silence, collegiate fears

PHOTO BY ARIS JOHN GALANG

Anong natatandaan niyo noong Martial Law?

“It was a Saturday when I woke up, and normally, before going to the office on Saturdays, nagoopen muna ako ng radyo. [That time] wala akong marinig sa radyo, lahat ng stations quiet.

I went to the office and sabi nga Martial Law daw was declared already.

August ‘yung Martial Law […] November na kami nagkaroon ng klase. Tsaka nagkaroon na ng konting bali-balita sa mga radyo—pero puro Marcos lang.

During the time of Martial Law, Marcos created a Bagong Lipunan Society which later on he turned it into a political party na lahat naman sila-sila ang nag-ho-hold [political positions].

There were so many atrocities made by Marcos at that time, he took control of all major industries in the Philippines. They shut [down] all TV stations and radio stations.

One big important rally namin is ‘yung rally against sending of Philippines’ troops to Vietnam per request of the American government.

When I transferred to FEU, I stopped participating in fear of losing my scholarship. Kaya noong binaba ang Martial Law natakot ako kasi baka mabuklat nila ‘yung mga listahan ng mga old members ng kabataang makabayan. Nagpahighcut ako ng buhok para hindi ako mahalata.

Kapag nakakakita ako ng pulis, lumalayo ako, mga isang buwan din akong ganoon. ‘Yun ang effect sa akin ng Martial Law.”

– Rolly, 73

INTERVIEW BY KATRIZHA CAYE DE LEON