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Documente Cultură
Sanchez
11318546
has also opened the Philippines to become a Business Process Outsourcing hub, but it too
has some adverse effects. Some of our countrymen tend to view Filipino as inferior,
whereas those who can speak English fluently are viewed as academics. I speak English
because it was the first language I learned whilst growing up but since I moved up north
to Manila, Ive come to love the Filipino language and learn something new about it
everyday. A story that comes to mind is one from about a year ago; as I was taking my
non-professional drivers license exam with ease, the Bisaya men beside me were
struggling to get past the first question. They had practiced driving and were aware of the
rules on the road but were not prepared to face the English questionnaire. These people
go through all the trouble to spend money on drug tests, medical check ups, practicing
how to drive then only to be let down by failing the English road rules and regulations
exam. I felt for them, it was unfair for that to happen. It was a heart-wrenching and eyeopening experience; I hope more people become aware of how important it is to uphold
the Filipino culture. Films like these remind us of what we have been through and what
we need to do as a country in order to move forward.
It has been almost 43 years since Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law on air,
undoubtedly one of the darkest days in Philippine history. I was not able to personally
experience the turmoil and terror in that age but I was able to understand the pain as my
parents recounted their stories vividly. It may seem quite distant, but much of our society
today is living in the remnants that the Marcoses left behind, a country terribly crippled in
debt and poverty. The succeeding presidents have done their best efforts to repair our
country, but unfortunately, we are still paying for the damages this one man started. Batas
Militar is an essential film to watch as it highlights the tragedy that was the Marcos
regime. These days, it seems like the Filipinos have forgotten about the ill-gotten wealth
Imelda and her cronies amassed, the thousands of innocent lives executed, the fear that
swept the Filipinos, and the oppression of human rights. Even incumbent president
Rodrigo Duterte is adamant on the burial of Marcos in the Libingan ng Bayan, a shame to
those who lost their lives to the Marcos stronghold. Families are still in search of their
loved ones who have gone missing, they have no body; no closure, while Marcos gets the
burial he absolutely does not deserve. Our country has become a laughing stock around
the world, the only one, probably, to honorably bury a man who has infamously exploited
his own people. Schools should definitely require all students to read thoroughly and
supplement these readings with materials that expose the truth behind this tragic era. To
the apologists, please dedicate an hour of your miserable lives to watch this film and open
your eyes to the reality of martial law. The progressive economy and vast infrastructures
are an illusion they are fazed with. My heart bled whilst listening to the testimonies of the
victims, I could only hope that no one else would ever have to go through that ever again.