LIFELONG ACTIVISM: A Probe into the Oral Narratives of Martial Law Survivors

Abstract

After the EDSA People Power in 1986, democracy, justice, and human rights were supposed to be restored. However, the opposite seemed to be the case as widespread inequality, and elite politics characterized the post-authoritarian era. Combined with the orchestrated plan of the Marcoses to return to power through rampant dis- and misinformation campaigns and Duterte’s rectification of the dictator’s legacy hastened the family’s resurgence. Martial law history and records of atrocities instantly became a myth. The study primarily seeks to document the stories of martial law survivors and to contextualize and understand the phenomenon of lifelong activism. Thematic analysis was utilized to look for significant patterns and commonalities in the participants' stories that would aid in understanding lifelong activism. The themes that emerged from the narratives were 1) Early exposure to social issues and activism; 2) Choice of being away from their families; 3) Every move is being watched; 4) Acceptance of death; 5) Struggle for justice and democracy never ended; 6) Marcos’ resemblance to Duterte; 7) No Marcos should be in power again. The participants highlighted the principal role of the school in imparting them the political knowledge and awareness of social issues that had eventually influenced them to participate in social movements. Significantly, based on the narratives of the three participants, their lifelong activism is attributed to personal, historical, and political breakthroughs that they have witnessed and experienced throughout their lives.