Lozano, Parico, Ponce.

(Third Stanza)

The third stanza of the poem presents various metaphors including earth, wind and sea

which are used by the persona to define himself or herself. What comes before it though, is a

line that states that death shall not “unclench” the persona. It is notable that there was

widespread of violence during Martial Law under the Marcos administration. The

dictatorship under the administration in the 1970s and 80s is historically reminisced for its

record of human rights abuses (McCoy, 1999). Proclamation 1081 gave the military the

authority to arrest, detain, and execute anyone who even dared to breathe sadly about the

Marcos administration. Thus, people who were seen as threats to the administration were

arrested by members of the military and the notorious Philippine Constabulary and truth be

told, the poet and journalist Jose Lacaba who resisted Marcos' dictatorship is not an

exception. It is apparent in the previous stanza that death is something that the persona

recognizes but it’s just as clear as the first line in the third stanza how the persona doesn’t

fear it, to the point that it won’t even be great enough to “release” his rage, wrath and ire. The

persona refers to himself or herself as earth, wind and sea which by fact, happen to be

everywhere. Hence, this may suggest the idea that the persona is not alone or possibly not a

single person at all which could mean that there are many that feel the same way and share

the same notions as him or her. They may be the political opponents, student activists,

journalists, religious workers, farmers and other citizens who fought against the dictatorship.

Moreso, the earth can bring earthquakes that shake the ground, wind can be strong enough to

bring windstorms and a mad sea can cast tidal waves. All those dangers can be caused by the

persona’s anger if he or she is ever to choose violence , yet as the stanza goes, the persona

remarks the appreciation for the brave ones that make their death and sacrifice worthwhile for

there are “kisses that bestow the brave that defy the damp of the grave.” Jose Rizal is likely to

be one of those referred in those lines as he is a hero known for fighting for the civil rights of
the Filipino people in Spanish period through his novels “Noli Me Tangere” and “El

Filibusterismo”. Though he was only declared as a national hero in 1995, a speech by

Corazon Aquino on Rizal Day in 1986 shows how he was already seen as a model for a

change for the nation as Aquino mentions his beliefs and contribution in the country such as

the fight for freedom without violence. Such memento is recognized by the persona which

eventually fuels the “flaming sword of love” that leads him or her to dare and to fight against

what binds him/her and his/her country without the use of violence, even if it may cost his or

her life. As what is sung in the country’s national anthem, “Aming ligaya na pag may mang-

aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo.” [But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged, for us, thy

sons to suffer and die.]

Reference

Dark Legacy: Human Rights under the Marcos Regime. www.hartford-

hwp.com/archives/54a/062.html.

Sison, Shakira. #NeverAgain: Martial Law Stories Young People Need to Hear. 23

Sept. 2015, www.rappler.com/voices/imho/martial-law-stories-hear.

“Human Rights Abuses of the Marcos Dictatorship.” Wikipedia, 11 Nov. 2020,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_abuses_of_the_Marcos_dictatorship.

Speech of President Corazon Aquino on Rizal Day, December 30, 1986: GOVPH. 30

Dec. 1986, www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1986/12/30/speech-of-president-corazon-

aquino-on-rizal-day-december-30-1986/.

Jr., Juanito F. Lim. THE PHILIPPINE HYMN. www.philippinecentral.com/phil-

hymn.html.