Join Us in Remembering Martial Law
by Gigo Alampay
April 1, 2012

My name is Gigo Alampay and I am the executive director of CANVAS (www.canvas.ph), a nonprofit that promotes Philippine art and culture, and that also explores the use of art to encourage discussion on selected social development issues.

I recently realized that this September 2012 is the 40th anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law, and I thought of this idea for a group art exhibit that I hope can generate some long overdue discussion on what those times were really all about.

As a teacher (part-time) in UP, as well as a father to three children, I am sometimes bothered that the memory of martial law is not being passed to the next generation. Or worse, that some of the young actually are beginning to believe an alternative version of history that says that that we might have been better off with Marcos, and that what we may need now is a return to some form of “benevolent dictatorship.”

Part of it, I suppose, is that EDSA – as a “triumphant” episode in Philippine history is more highly celebrated. Undeniably, the hope that pervaded in 1986 has been tarnished by the continuing underdevelopment and unfulfilled potential of the Philippines. A lot of people remain poor, disillusioned, and frustrated, and therefore tend or choose to forget.

So, through CANVAS, we will be organizing a group exhibit featuring artworks (both old and new) that express a memory of the Marcos years. As I see it, the works need not necessarily be critical or provocative – indeed, the idea is not so much to criticize or denounce Martial Law or the Marcos years, but just to remember.

And, in order to bring the artworks and message to the public, one other idea I have is to replicate actual size versions of the paintings on tarpaulins that will be similarly stretched and walked around by teams of volunteers in various places in Manila over several days – Liwasang Bonifacio, Mendiola, Cubao, Quiapo, along Quezon Ave., around UP – on the week of September 21. Those carrying the “tarp paintings” will just use it as props for photo-ops, and can answer questions bystanders or onlookers may have. It will serve as a walking public exhibit that can be photographed and documented, and to engage with the common citizen.

How can you help?

First, if you are a parent or grandparent, may we encourage or suggest that you write a letter to your children/grandchildren, expressing for posterity your thoughts on this subject. That in itself will be a great service. And, if you are so inclined, you can also send us a copy of the letter (please email them to info@canvas.ph). While there are no guarantees that we will use the letter, we do hope to include some of the best ones that we receive in the exhibit, and on our website.

Second, you can also volunteer to help out for the walking exhibits – either to walk with them, or to document them in photographs or videos, or to simply get the word out.

Third, we will also be going around interviewing people to tell and record stories about those times. It can then serve as sort of an oral history, which we may also put up on our site as a permanent virtual memorial. If you wish to be interviewed, please send us an email (info@canvas.ph). We will also give you an audio CD of the interview for you to hold on to and pass on to your kids/friends.

And finally, you can help by just remembering, and sharing your memories. If not to us, then to your kids or to your students, or to your friends, or to the world.

Memory is a fickle thing, so a discussion on what was and was not true at that pivotal era in our history, to the extent that we can spark it, I think is worth it and long due.

Thanks and best,

–Gigo

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