Never Again: Books and Resources to Learn About Martial Law, Ninoy Aquino, and the EDSA Revolution

Unlike other nations who value history and make sure that people remember what happened in the past, the Philippines does not appear to be the same.

Atrocities, abuses, and suppression of freedom that happened during the Marcos years are largely forgotten and not adequately taught in schools.

Hence, we find ourselves constantly at the mercy of the same kind of people who made our country poorer not just fiscally but morally as well.

We do not have a museum about our nation’s dark history – from the time Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law until the People Power EDSA Revolution – and text books gloss over facts, only meant for memorization but not understanding.

Martial Law, the people who abused power, the people who were killed, the companies forcibly taken, the fight for freedom and justice, Ninoy Aquino, the EDSA Revolution — all these have lost their relevance to a certain part of the population.

Martial Law is now being denied as untrue (or not evil) by some quarters, the heroism of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino is now being twisted, and the EDSA Revolution that should have brought change to our country, well just look where we are now.

Hope for the future

As parents, homeschooling or not, it is our duty to our country to educate our children.

If we ourselves are not totally aware of the past, it is not too late. We can still learn alongside our children, and be open to truth.

It is only through looking at history full in the face can we learn and hopefully avoid finding our country in the brink of collapse, a place where no one wants to stay.

Books and resources

Let’s dive in and not just read picture books, but also watch documentaries and read news archives. In that way, we get a picture of what happened from people during that time. That’s the best way to combat fake news.

1. Reference Book

Philippine Almanac.

For elementary and high school students. Available at Filway Marketing.

A reference book that offers snippets of daily list of historical events, as well as featured stories and information that give a deeper understanding of Philippine culture and history

2. Books and other resources about Martial Law

Martial Law Museum – Digital Educational Resource

(Updated August 21, 2020) A reader pointed us to this online learning and teaching resource with a goal of changing how Martial Law is taught in classrooms. You can find lesson plans and different calls to action to be part of change. Click here.

Si Jhun-Jhun, Noong Bago Ideklara ang Batas Militar

For elementary students. Available here.

A young brother learns about the realities of life when his brother goes missing around the time of Martial Law.

At the School Gate by Sandra Nicole Roldan

For elementary to high school students. Available here.

This beautifully written book shows how Martial Law affected children. Based on the author’s experiences, it doesn’t get more real than this. Available here.

Isang Harding Papel by Augie Rivera

For elementary students. Available here.

Augie Rivera powerfully shows what Martial Law was like for a child and her incarcerated mother, and the joy they felt when she was finally released after the People Power Revolution.

Modern Heroes for the Filipino Youth featuring Ninoy Aquino, Edjop, and Macliing Dulag by Bookmark

For elementary students.

Biographies are powerful because they show the children that history is created by real people who had families, people who hoped of a better world.

Let us keep remembering the people who made the EDSA Revolution possible by learning about them.

The Modern Heroes series includes these three Filipinos who fought against a powerful dictator. And while they may not have enjoyed the fruits of their battle, we are reminded of how their bravery is the reason for the freedom that we enjoy today.

• Edjop: A Child of the Storm available here.
• The Pangat, the Mountains, and the River available here.
• Lakay Billy: Defender of Indigenous People available here.

Martial Law: Never Again (Student Edition) by Raissa Roble

For high school students.

Read about the brutal dictatorship that Ferdinand Marcos brought into the Philippines in 1971.

Dekada ’70 by Lualhati Bautista

For high school students.

A novel set during the Martial Law years, Dekada ’70 depicts political, social, and familial difficulties during that time, from a woman’s point of view.

Documentaries

• The Kingmaker, the story of the incompetence and greed of Imelda Marcos, whose children are still elected throughout the Philippines. , If you have the budget to rent this via streaming, please do so! Click here.
• Batas Militar, a documentary featuring interviews of those who experienced the authoritarian regime first hand. It Click here.

3. Books and other resources about Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr

Ninoy Aquino was one of the most outspoken critics of Ferdinand Marcos and his government.

Ninoy Aquino Day has been celebrated on August 21 every year since 2004, but there are some threats to the honoring of his heroism. We should never forget his contribution to our country’s history.

Ninoy Aquino: A Courageous Homecoming

For elementary students. Available here.

Documentaries and Archival News

• Last Journey, the untold story of Ninoy’s final days. Streaming for free on August 21, 2020, make sure to watch it! Read here.
• From the New York Times, published on August 22, 1983. Read Benigno Aquino, Bitter Foe of Marcos
• Ninoy Aquino Day Documentaries – Read here.
• United Press International’s The Three Losses of Ninoy Aquino, published on September 18, 1986. Read here.

Tie a yellow ribbon

Sanne’s family has been tying a yellow ribbon outside their home every August 21, Ninoy Aquino Day, for years now.

“Tie a Yellow Ribbon” was the song that inspired the yellow ribbons that donned the Metro’s posts and trees on the day that Ninoy was set to arrive in Manila. The song is about a prisoner asking his wife to tie a ribbon on a tree outside their home if she still wanted him back home.

The yellow ribbons hung along the route of Ninoy going home on that fateful day in 1983 symbolized how the people looked forward to his homecoming.

Read his poem

4. Books and other resources about the EDSA Revolution.

The EDSA Revolution figured prominently in my childhood. My father and older brothers went to EDSA to be one with the peaceful protesters.

The time immediately after that felt like a new beginning, a new promise.

Sadly, the same people who were with Marcos flipped sides and were able to redeem themselves… which means that the moral decay that highlighted the Marcos years continued to perpetuate.

Let’s look back at this glorious time with our children, and remember that we were able to do it before, and we should be able to do it again if needed. Education is the first step.

Edsa by Russell Molina

For preschoolers. Available here.

A counting book in Filipino featuring the scenes during the four days of the revolution. Perfect to introduce this event in our country’s history to young children.

Salingkit: A 1986 Diary by Cyan Abad

For highschoolers. Available here.

Salingkit features a young female teen around the time of the People Power Revolution. Being set in the 80’s, parents who were young during that time might be able to relate too. Don’t miss the introduction where the author gives a clear summary of the events that led to EDSA.

Documentaries and Archival News

• EDSA Revolution 30 Year Anniversary – Watch here.
• From Los Angeles Times, published on August 31, 1986. Read An Eyewitness History, The Philippine Revolution of 1986.
• From the Atlantic, published on November 1, 1987. A very deep article explaining why where we are right now, even in 2020. Read ‘A Damaged Culture’ in the Philippines.
• Handog ng Pilipino Sa Mundo – The anthem that captured the spirit of EDSA. This was played constantly during that time and it still brings tears to my eyes now. Watch and sing along here.

People Power

As parents, we have the responsibility to seek the truth alongside our children. It is our turn inspire our children to guard our country’s democracy and freedom. Let’s tell them stories of what happened in the past, so that they will have a better future — that is our power.

The non-working holidays of the EDSA Revolution and Ninoy Aquino are not just holidays to relax and enjoy. Let’s take time to look back, think, and learn.

We may not have a museum to remind us, but we can have our museum of our national memories in our minds and hearts.