By Ishia Eleanor F. Marquez

Speakers encouraged Tamaraws to never forget the truths of the Martial Law during Far Eastern University (FEU) Communication Society’s (CommSoc) ‘Dictator’s Cut’ film screening and talkback held in commemoration of the 53rd anniversary of its declaration at the FEU Center for the Arts last Tuesday, October 21. 

CommSoc presented Active Vista’s award-winning documentary ‘11,103,’ highlighting the experiences of the victims of Martial Law during the term of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

The screening was originally set for the activity period on September 22, a day after the anniversary of Martial Law, but was postponed due to the suspension of classes. 

In a report by Amnesty International, an estimated 107,200 victims faced atrocities under Marcos Sr., with 70,000 wrongly imprisoned, 34,000 tortured, and 3,200 who disappeared or were killed. 

The documentary was titled after Republic Act No. 10368, also known as the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, which recognized and provided compensation for the human rights violations faced by the victims of the Martial Law.

According to the law, victims are entitled to monetary reparation of 1,500 US dollars or P70,000 from Marcos Sr.’s P10-billion ill-gotten wealth. Moreover, government agencies such as the Department of Health and the Department of Education shall also provide necessary services to the victims and their families. 

Out of the 75,749 victims who filed for compensation, only 11,103 were considered qualified. Head of Human Rights Victims’ Claim Board Lina Sarmiento explained that the remaining claimants who did not qualify for the compensation had failed to provide ‘substantial’ evidence that they were subjected to human rights violations. 

Among invited speakers for the talkback were Martial Law survivor Bonifacio Macaranas, FEU Coordinator of Gender and Development Professor Ameerah Milano, founder of ‘Likhang Mulat: The FEU Film Movements Festival’ Herwin Benedictos Cabasal, and National Coordinator of Human Rights and Dignity Movement Jhay De Jesus. 

In the talkback, Cabasal emphasized the importance of films like ‘11,103’ which gave ‘human faces’ behind the data. Milano added that this has also made stories vivid and easier to relate to. 

“Hindi pa nga ito ‘yung lahat [ng mga biktima]... ‘yung bawat isa na iyon [na biktima], may mukha at kuwento, ayun ang dapat natin pakinggan (This is not even all the victims… every victim had their own face and stories, that is what we should heed),” he said. 

Furthermore, the speakers emphasized the importance of being historically aware as well as retelling the stories shared and upholding the truth to prevent the past from repeating itself.

“Ang hirap nung point na bumalik tayo sa nakaraan… hindi man eksakto, kaparehong-kapareho, pero laging nagbabadya ‘yung maaring ilang mga same na pangyayari [ay mangyari ulit] (It will be hard to reach to a point where we would go back to the past… It may not be exactly the same, but there are some signs that the same events would happen again)... [Kaya] Let us all be storytellers, let us keep the conversation going,” De Jesus stated. 

Additionally, Macaranas pointed out that the same sentiments from the past are still‌ being condemned today.

“Remember the quote [of the placards] there [in the film], ‘anti-imperialismo,’ ‘ibagsak ang piyudalismo,’ [and] ‘ibagsak ang bureaucrat capitalism,’ these are still existing… so problema pa rin natin ‘yang imperialism, feudalism, at bureaucrat capitalism,” he remarked.

When asked what the students should do after watching the documentary, Cabasal urged the youth to speak out against historical revisions using their privilege to learn from the Institution and be in service for the Filipinos in their respective fields.

“Gamitin mo na ‘yung privilege na ‘yon na ikaw ay nakakapag-aral—magbasa ka nang magbasa para hindi ka basta-basta maging biktima ng historical distortion (Make use of the privilege you have to study—keep on reading so you will not be a victim of historical distortion),” he asserted.

Milano also encouraged the audience to use the access they have to education to inform those who do not. Moreover, Macaranas advised the learners to be critical and always spread the ‘word of truth.’

The event was concluded by CommSoc Vice President Rafael De Ramos, who reminded the audience to never forget the events of the Martial Law. 

‘11,103’ was directed by Miguel Alcazaren and Jeannette Ifurung and was first shown at the University of the Philippines College of Law last December 2022. 

(Photo by Gabriel Matencio/FEU Advocate)