Ferdinand Marcos Press Conference on the State of Martial Law

1. What is the document all about?

-The video is all about the 1965-1975 President of the Philippines, Ferdinand
Marcos, who gave a press conference on the state of Martial Law that imposed
to go against current terrorism and rebellion.
2. How are the thoughts and facts presented?
-If we will go by the record, to answer such question will be from historical
attributes. The thoughts and facts of that particular conference was presented in
such a way that the proclamation of Martial Law will be justified. Marcos placed
the Philippines under that time because of insurgency and rebellion. As such, the
conference was just a mere emphasis on the reasons on why he (Marcos)
declared Martial Law. Marcos’ choice of words was to really make an insight that
declaring Martial Law during that time was just necessary and appropriate not
only for the government but for the entire Philippines.

For Context Analysis

1. What does the text reveal about itself as a text?
- The texts uttered by then Pres. Marcos were political propaganda. It serves to
convey the people, the Filipino citizens , that Martial Law was a success of and for
everyone. The texts were actually bold. They are directing towards the concept of a
rule that Filipinos must accept then because this is what the speaker was trying to
imply. The words of the late president echoes his ideals of a government in which
he was the ruler and his people were his subordinates. In the end, the texts are
mere government safe haven just to say that Martial Law was needed that time.
2. What does the text tell us about its apparent intended audience(s)?
-The texts were simply advocating the belief of Marcos. Marcos then wanted to imply
and portray a heroic character in which the anarchists and rebels were the
antagonist and he was this superman who wanted to save the Philippines by
proclaiming Martial Law. The texts or words of Marcos were very powerful. These
words show how good Marcos was in Public Speaking. Every pronouncement was
a law that anyone should obey because if not you will put under trial.
3. What seems to have been the author’s intention? Why did the author write
this text? And why did the author write this text in this particular way, as
opposed to other ways in which the text might have been written?
-In the very simple reason that the author, who happens to be also the speaker,
wanted to delight his audience. He wanted to amuse his audience on the greatness
of his campaign when he placed down the country under Martial Law. He actually
had written/uttered these words of him to convince the people that Martial Law was
the best decision and right move to make during that time. The construction of
Marcos’ utterances was placed in such a way that it will be sound appealing and
patriotic (a brilliant move of a genius liar). But in the real sense, the words are
controlling.
4. What is the occasion for this text?
-The text is a persuasive speech. It’s nature is to persuade the listener by uttering
beautiful instances. Technically, this kind of speeches or texts are being used for
political rallies, campaigns, government propaganda and many the like. It seems
that the texts were intended to catch the attention and support of the Filipinos who
were then starting to be afraid of what was uncertain.
5. Is the text intended as some sort of call to-or for-action?
- The text was intended to move for change under some kind of dictatorship. First, it
was a call to believe and second a call to join that belief. As we all know, Marcos
was a good speaker himself. He knows how to manipulate the audience with his
words and image. Indeed, his words became laws.
6. Is the text intended rather as some sort of call to-or for-reflection or
consideration rather than direct action?
-The text was considered to be a call for direct action. The call of the time during
Marcos’ time was military ruling in which anyone who opposes the government will
be subjected under military trial. No one dare to do so because Filipinos were afraid
to be put in chain. This was something that very vital within the text—THE CALL TO
OBEY. The speech may sound too relaxing for anyone who does not know the real
story behind it. In reality, the texts are tragic pronouncement from the, ruler who will
start to pour blood in our country.
7. Can we identify any non-textual circumstances that affected the creation and
reception of the text?
-The speech was made after the declaration of the state of Martial Law in the
Philippines. But before that, many events transpired for Marcos to place the country
under such ruling. The rebels parties from the highlands started to be rebellious and
there were many protests against Marcos who, according to the many people
before, cheated in the 1972 Snap Election.