THOMASIANS SHOULD reflect on the sacrifices of those who fought for freedoms during Martial Law, especially those who lost their lives for the cause to appreciate the liberties they are enjoying and to perform their roles in their community, the Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB) dean said.
In her message during the commemoration of the anniversary of the military rule on Saturday, Sept. 21, AB Dean Prof. Melanie Turingan said the history of Martial Law is a testament to a patriotic nation that young people should emulate to serve communities within and outside the University.
“Hindi ibig sabihin na masaya nating inaaalala yung kahirapan at pinaghirapan nila ay isinasantabi natin lahat ng ‘yun. Siguro ‘yung magandang pag-alala lang ay maging bahagi para mas maging mabuting tao para tignan ‘yung mga responsibilidad natin, hindi lamang para sa pamilya [at] sa ating sarili kung hindi sa ating paaralan,” Turingan said at the Santisimo Rosario Parish church.
(It doesn’t mean that when we are happy while remembering the hardships and hard work they have done, we are setting all of them aside. Maybe the good way to remember is to be part of it, to become a better person, to acknowledge our responsibilities, not only for our family [and] ourselves but for our University.)
A history professor, Turingan said students must use their knowledge of Philippine history to continue the fight for justice and independence, noting that education is not just a right but a responsibility. The events of Martial Law serve as a reminder of the people who sacrificed themselves for the freedoms Filipinos enjoy today, she added.
“Lahat ng kasiyahan sa buhay ay bumabalik sa atin, may mga taong ang pangarap ay makapag aral. Gamitin niyo sana itong pagkakataon para pagnilayan na sa tinatamasa ng bawat isa, buhay ang naging kapalit,” the dean said.
([While] all the pleasures in life are coming back to us, there are people whose dream is to study. I hope you will use this opportunity to reflect on the fact that for each thing one enjoys, life became the sacrifice.)
“And I hope you understand everything you get and learn so that not only our fellow Thomasians but also the people we can serve become more knowledgeable. Even if we can’t change the world, at least several of us are on the right path so we can also uplift the marginalized.”
Turingan urged Thomasians to be the bearers of light for those people who experienced a period of darkness so history would not be repeated.
“We should not remember it (Martial Law) with anger and hatred because what happened already happened. We must move on but there is also wisdom that must be learned. Let’s be a light in the Philippines so that what should not be repeated in history does not happen again,” she said.
The speech was part of the mass held to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the Martial Law regime under the late president Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.
According to historians, the military rule unleashed a wave of violent crimes, media repression and human rights abuses. F — Ma. Alyanna Selda
