Rappler.com-Sept 21
Karl Patrick Suyat, 19, has no personal experience of the tyrannical rule of late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos. But memories of the atrocities and human rights violations committed during those dark moments have transcended time. The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law. But this year also saw the return of the Marcoses to power – Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is now the president of the republic. Despite efforts of Martial Law survivors, human rights groups, and even academics to remind the Filipino people of the abuses of the Marcos family, Marcos Jr. was still able to clinch the country’s top post. Fueled by outrage and anguish, Karl thought of a way to channel his energy and still fight back despite the Marcoses’ victory: he founded “Project Gunita” (remember) along with Josiah Quising and Sarah Gomez. Project Gunita is a network of volunteers and members of various civil society organizations that aim to defend historical truth. They particularly push back against historical denialism and protect truths about the Martial Law years. Through the project, the three founders and their members created a digital archive of all materials that contain information about Marcos’ Martial Law to preserve them. Archiving is not new since other government offices and groups like the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation and the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, under the Commission on Human Rights, have made efforts to preserve Martial Law materials. But Project Gunita is born out of the spirit of volunteerism and nationalism among young Filipinos. Read more at: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/young-generations-continue-fight-protect-martial-law-memories-declaration-anniversary-2022/
