Name: Cagape, Jezza T.

Section: UI- FA1-ABPSYCH1-2

Gen04 FINALS

REFLECTION PAPER

Every September, the Philippines commemorates the imposition of Martial Law by late
dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, which is considered one of the darkest periods in its history.
Martial Law in the Philippines refers to a period of authoritarian rule from 1972 to 1981 under
the administration of former president Ferdinand Marcos. During this time, the Philippine
government was characterized by strict and often brutal enforcement of state authority, with
civil liberties suspended, censorship imposed on media outlets and political opponents
imprisoned or executed. individuals in the Philippines were under martial control for 14 years,
and according to history books, they endured situations that individuals born in the 1990s and
2000s have never known. These include a strict curfew that lasts through the night, media
censorship, a ban on large-scale gatherings and protests, and the suspension of civil and
political rights.
I realized a lot of introspective things after viewing the movie. Such video content is challenging
to watch. I was encouraged to believe that since I was a student and was not present for such
events, I had no place to assess whether Martial Law served our nation better or worse because
older people who were there at the time would probably have seen it differently based on their
own emotions. I was furious at the time and sympathetic toward the populace since I had seen
the hardship and even torture of my fellow Filipinos. In my view, the martial law era simply
brought forth immense suffering for the Filipino people.

This period of martial law was initiated with the purported aim of combating communist
insurgency in the country, but it also served as a means for Marcos to consolidate and
centralize his political power, allowing him to oversee a range of controversial economic
policies and engage in widespread corruption. One other prominent example of Marcos'
partiality during Martial Law is seen in his relationship with artists working in the mode of Social
Realist art. Coming into fruition in the Philippines between the late 1960s and the mid-1980s,
Social Realist art was spearheaded by a loose group of artists known as Kaisahan, who came
into formation during the height of martial law. During this period, the Marcos regime tightly
controlled artistic expression and censored works that criticized his administration or promoted
dissent. Martial law is a controversial topic that has been discussed and debated for decades.
As an emergency measure, martial law suspends ordinary civil liberties and replaces civilian
government with military authority. The importance of martial law lies in its ability to provide
swift and effective responses to crises, such as riots, natural disasters, or terrorist attacks.
However, the use of martial law also raises significant concerns about potential abuses of
power and violations of human rights. To address these concerns, it is essential that any
constitution or legal framework that includes provisions for martial law clearly defines the
scope of restrictions on freedoms and human and civil rights. Experts have consistently agreed
that compulsion is a mandatory prerequisite for enacting martial law. Similarly, historical
precedents and case studies have highlighted the risk of military dominance in society when
martial law is imposed.

The video shows the cruel history of our past it provides valuable insights into the past and
helps me make sense of the present. However, historical distortion and the spread of
misinformation undermine these insights and can have detrimental effects on society's
understanding of its past. In this capacity, the youth must combat historical distortion by
critically analyzing sources, questioning prevailing narratives, and engaging with diverse
perspectives. Moreover, by actively seeking out and amplifying underrepresented voices and
histories, youth can help expand the collective understanding of our shared past.

The importance of referencing historical works when exploring concepts such as youth culture
was emphasized. Neglecting to reference such works, not only does it distort the historical
context of youth culture, but it also restricts the development and continuation of its tradition.
Moreover, by engaging in critical analysis of historical works and examining the socio-political
circumstances that shape them, youth can develop a nuanced understanding of how historical
narratives can be manipulated or distorted to further certain agendas. Therefore, youth must
take an active role in safeguarding the integrity of historical discourse and knowledge.
Additionally, the use of technology and social media platforms can aid in combatting historical
distortion. For instance, social media can be used to circulate lesser-known historical accounts
and voices by amplifying them to a wider audience. By actively engaging in the preservation and
dissemination of historical knowledge, youth can play a vital role in ensuring an accurate
understanding of history, thus promoting social justice and equality. Furthermore, the inclusion
of youth in public health research and decision-making can have significant positive impacts on
community health improvement efforts. Historical distortion is a serious issue that undermines
the valuable insights history provides and can have detrimental effects on society's
understanding of its past.