PERIOD OF

ACTIVISM
(1970-1972)
MARTIAL LAW
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-72 was due to domestic and worldwide causes. Activism is
connected with the history of our Filipino youth

• Because of the ills of society, the youth moved to seek reforms. Some continued to believe that the democratic
government is stable and that it is only the people running the government who are at fault. Some believed that socialism
or communism should replace democracy. Some armed groups were formed to bring down the democratic form of
government.

• Many young people became activists to ask for changes in the government. In the expression of this desire for change,
keen were the writings of some youth who were fired with nationalism in order to emphasize the importance of their
petitions. Many young activists were imprisoned in military camps together with rebel writers. As early as this period of
history we can say that many of those writers who were imprisoned were true nationalists and heroes of their time.

THE SEED OF ACTIVISM

The seeds of activism resulted in the declaration of Martial Law in 1972. We can, however, say that he
seeds were earlier sown from the times of Lapu-lapu, Lakandula, and Rizal.
 PERIOD OF THE BLOODY PLACARDS
Pineda also said that this was the time when the youth once more proved that it
is not the constant evasion that shapes our race and nationalism.
THE LITERARY REVOLUTION
• The youth became completely rebellious during this period. This was proven not only in the bloody demonstrations and in the
sidewalk expressions but also in literature. Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions. The once aristocratic writers
developed awareness for society. They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA
(To dare!).

• The literature of the activists reached a point where they stated boldly what should be done to effect these changes. Some of
those who rallied to this revolutionary form of literature were Rolando Tinio, Rogelio Mangahas, Efren Abueg, Rio Alma,
and Clemente Bautista. 

WRITING DURING THE PERIOD OF ACTIVISM

The irreverence for the poor reached its peak during this period of the mass revolution. It was also during this period that
Bomba films that discredit our ways as Filipinos started to come out.
History has repeatedly taught us one
universal lesson – adversity produces
the best in human kind.
Thank you!