UP Visayas leads ‘golden’ Martial Law commemoration

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) will lead the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Martial Law under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. with activities highlighting the experiences of survivors and other life-changing events transpiring during those years.

The activities include a Student Essay Writing Contest, a public forum, an online webinar conference on Martial Law, and film showcases.

The Student Essay Writing Contest, which started on Monday, Sept 12, is open to all enrolled senior high school students from public and private schools in Western Visayas.

The essay, which should be an original piece written in Hiligaynon, should span a minimum of 5 pages and a maximum of 8 pages and should focus on the theme “Manindugan sa Kamatuoran, Itib-ong ang Katarungan” (Stand for the truth, Uphold justice).

Entries should not have been published previously nor had won any contest and should not indicate the name of the writer or any identifying markings.

Participants should submit the essay to the email address upvmartiallawmemorial@gmail.com with the subject, ‘upvmartiallawmemorial_titleofentry’ on or before September 19.

They may only submit once, and their entry must be double-spaced and computer-encoded with a font size of 12 in Times New Roman style on an A4-sized paper.

Entries will be published on UPV’s various public information platforms. First prize will win P5,000, while second prize will win P3,000, third prize will win P2,000, and consolation prizes of P500 will be given to 5 other entrants as well.

The public forum titled “Looking back and living through: Life histories and perspectives of Martial Law survivors and their kins” will be held on Sept 21, the 50^th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

On Sept 22, the online webinar conference dubbed “ML@50: Enduring questions and continuing answers” will focus on the remaining questions and what the Marcos Sr. Martial Law era will mean for future generations.

The Martial Law-themed films “Liway” and “11,103” will be shown on September 23 (UPV Miagao Campus) and on September 26 (UPV Iloilo City Campus).

These activities are organized by the UPV Divisions of Social Sciences, UPV Division of Professional Education, Center for West Visayan Studies, UPV Information and Publications Office, UPV Office of Initiatives in Culture and the Arts, UPV University Student Council, UPV College of Arts and Sciences Student Council, UPV Kamaragtas, and Dakila.