Parallels of the Underground and Eventual Counter-Culture Movement: Filipino Artists during the Waning years of Martial Law in the Philippines

 

Image by: Center For Media Freedom & Responsibility 

"The Law Remembers."

On September 23, 1972, former President Ferdinand Marcos declared that the Philippines would be placed under Martial Law, citing the numerous protests and violence of civilians as justification for the proclamation. What was initially said to be for the betterment of the nation went down as one of the darkest periods in Philippine history, especially in terms of media and freedom of speech. 

    Martial Law can be regarded as "an attempt" by the Marcos government to quell resistance and prevent the spread of radical and progressive thoughts that may hinder their absolute power over the nation. Hence why the implementation of strict control over print and broadcast media was imposed to limit the public’s access to information and ideas. 

    However, Martial Law is also remembered as a period where the arts, particularly music, flourished. Music became a tool for protest and songs were used to draw attention towards national issues. Moreover, the Underground & Counter-Culture Movement of artists was at its peak during this time as majority of the operating media was controlled by the Marcoses, which gave rise to the usage of alternative media in helping disseminate information that is being forcefully hidden by the Marcos administration. 

Image by: Pau Aguillera (Manila Bulletin)

    An example of a song that was used politically during Martial Law is Freddie Aguilar's song entitled 'Anak'. During those times when Filipinos are oppressed and restricted, this song resonated with the state’s nationalism. As Martial Law intended to suppress the radical student movements that were prominent in the late 1960s, 'Anak' satirically fed into the Marcoses’ fantasy, of themselves, as parents of a new nation that was being born out of their "revolution from the center"; parents of a prodigal nation and its rebellious youth, now returned to the fold. Aguilar also has another song that became an anthem during Martial law, entitled 'Bayan Ko', which became the rallying song of protest groups, from particular advocacy organizations to student-led groups. Another one is the artist Heber Bartolome who served as a prominent example of a protest musician. Bartolome's song entitled 'Oy Utol, Buto't Balat Ka Na'y Natutulog Ka Pa' is both a representation and dramatization of the conditions of majority of the people during Martial Law and speaks volumes about hunger, anguish, repression, pain, and fear that was prevalent at the time.

Image by: Cinemalaya.org & Amazon

    

    Of course, there are also those media aside from music that was used to propagate truth during Martial Law. Such is the film called 'Manila By Night' by Ishmael Bernal. The film showed a stark depiction of Manila’s underbelly and the characters that operate in it; portraying the capital city as anything but true, good, and beautiful. 'The Untold Story of Imelda Marcos (Biography)' book by Carmen Navarro Pedrosa also shed light and revealed the "alleged" magnitude of the former First Lady’s extravagance during the Martial Law period. Though it was immediately banned, understandably considering the substance of the publication. 

    Many would agree that Martial Law has done horrible things to both the nation and its countrymen that would forever leave an indelible scar, and although it is remembered as a dark age in Philippine history where overt political action was no longer possible, it still, however, gave rise to creative means of expressing dissent and exploring social problems through the people's use of alternative media and the counter-culture movement that paved the way for a plethora of means to voice out one's right/s in today's generation. And now that a new Marcos is seated in the highest position in the country, we have to wait and see whether there will be another rise of a more powerful underground and counter-culture movement in today's vocally-open society... if necessary, that is. 

Reference/s Used:

IPOPHIL. (2019). Art in Revolt: 5 Artistic and Literary Works Banned During Martial Law. Retrieved from https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/news/art-in-revolt-5-artistic-and-literary-works-banned-during-martial-law/?fbclid=IwAR3R_jqpG-skkcJPenr9f9kgBly4R9_pUV_BL60ouHcgcWnuXIzL2k-H2N4

Saban, Bea. (n.d.). Filipinas Heritage Library: Martial Law and Music. Retrieved from https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/himig/martial-law-and-music/?fbclid=IwAR1_l6m0LduEGFhH0_O7zzCXLtYvbbUVWgeQdghnpzW_jwNwraU7zGXrPJg