The Boy Who Stutters

On the 47th Martial Law anniversary, the University of the Philippines had a weeklong activities to “commemorate and honor the memory of the University’s best and brightest who struggled against dictatorship and despotism”. I was able to attend two events: a film screening of Liway and a forum on Media, Martial Law, and Human Rights in Cine Adarna. Both opened my eyes to the political climate of that historical period in our country. The former uses the audio-visual medium to expose and enlighten people about the subject, while the latter utilizes verbal interaction to illuminate audiences. Such programs do not only help the community to remember but also prevent the mistakes of the past transpiring again. Film, as one of the prominent media, is able to deliver an experience that transcends other forms as it does not only display moving and sound pictures. For one, Liway carries a strong narrative about the grimes and terror inflicted during the Marcos regime and his martia...

I heard you came home. You really did it, didn’t you? I don’t know whether I’m sorry we didn’t last or I’m grateful for our story was cut short by circumstances I don’t even remember. But then I would lie if I say I didn’t miss you. We were not friends in Facebook anymore, because you unfriended me before you left. You thought I blocked you, so your impulse was to cut the strings entirely. Then I revealed that I just deactivated my account for a period and that’s why you couldn’t reach me anymore nor send me a message. Your assumption was wrong, and you reacted badly. Funny, you kept in touch via text despite cutting me online. I sound arrogant now, do I? Here you are with your public photos – with your partner and son. What a beautiful family! Your son got your looks – that’s obvious. You’re a loving parent – I could tell. Too loving that we happened. Your arrival should not mean anything. Yet it reminds me of us. It reminds me of the Sunday nights, the impractical travel to Sta. Cru...