One Filipino family’s “subversive” journey captured in new book.

May 17, 2012

Editor’s note: At the height of Martial Law in the 1970s, seven out of ten Quimpo siblings joined the underground “national-democratic” revolution, drawn by its idealistic goals. But their choice ended up destroying many of their familial and friendship ties. One of the Quimpos lost his life in the movement, one is missing and presumed dead. Five of the siblings were imprisoned. 40 years after the declaration of Martial Law, the surviving siblings have written a book, “Subversive Lives, A family memoir of the Marcos years,” about the turbulent political journey of their family, and by extension, the nation. In the excerpt that follows, the youngest sibling Susan F. Quimpo writes about the day she learned her brother was killed.

Lantern Parade

By Susan F. Quimpo

December 1981

I HAD TO GO  to school.  I clutched thick folders to my chest, wrapping both arms around them.  There was no need for my notes that day, but I felt I had to hold on to something, even if it was only folders stuffed with notes for a test I had taken days ago.

It was the last day of school before the three week Christmas break.  A few exams were scheduled, but these were the exception.  Even the faculty was lenient, for they too were excited about the biggest university event of the year, the evening’s Lantern Parade.

The college theater group I belonged to had a good shot at winning first prize.  Ramonlito, the group’s artist, had designed a six-foot lantern – its thick cardboard frame was to take the shape of a pyramid, or in keeping with the season, a Christmas tree.  But as always, the group was bent on making a statement, and the well-attended Lantern parade was the perfect venue.

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