PHILIPPINE LITERATURE DURING MARTIAL LAW

Philippine literature during martial law had common themes because the
government took and controlled all privately owned newspapers, magazines, radio,
television facilities and all other media communications.

During the time of Marcos, if you were part of his administration and you yourself
was against everything he did, you had no choice but to simply comply with his rules.
During his time, it was somewhat a kill or to be killed situation. It was either you work for
them or go against them. In the short story of Cirilo Bautista, the man who had demonic
powers was someone everyone in the tribe feared. The man with demonic powers was
considered a god in which everyone had to obey. People were too scared to go against
the man because they were scared of being killed. In that story, I think the Marcos’
administration were represented by the tribesmen. They couldn’t go against their leader
because they were too scared to face him which resulted them to supporting him. They
chose to follow the old traditions or the commands of their leader to somewhat enlighten
the god or prevent themselves from getting killed.

Also, during the time of Marcos, if they found out that you were writing or going
against them, you would eventually be captured and tortured to ask who you were working
for. The Writ of Habeas Corpus was suspended in which a person may be captured or
imprisoned even without a warrant of arrest. This caused some people to continue what
they were doing while others were convinced to work for them. In the story of Amadis
Guerrero, Victor, the main character of the story, was convinced at the end to join the
other newspaper boys to do vices. He eventually gave in to them because he grew tired
of always being beaten up. He decided to work with them because he didn’t have any
choices left and he didn’t want to be beaten up for life.

Marcos’ regime left a big mark on Filipino’s. Yes, his administration created millions
and millions of fine infrastructures here in the Philippines but these fine infrastructures
resulted for the Philippines to be in debt even until now to the World Bank. We were left
to pay the price that Marcos should’ve payed. Martial Law caused trauma to everyone,
especially those who were severely affected by it. This pushed Filipino writers to write
outstanding stories that depict the cruelty of the Marcos Administration. Each stories
represent the hardships that Filipino’s had to face during Marcos’ reign. Behind every
notable literary works, were deep meanings.