NOTEBOOK

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

*Pres. Duterte’s declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao brings back memories of September 21, 1972, to this columnist…

*Marawi City in Southern Philippines celebrated Flag-rasing ceremony in tears

*President Duterte skipped the Philippine Independence Day celebration

*Some Filipinos welcome Duterte’s Martial Rule

*Chicago Philippine Consulate celebrated Flag-raising Ceremony

*Blistering sun dented PIWC Cultural show at the Daley Plaza

*Atty. Al Bascos and some community leaders celebrated ‘Kasarinlan’ at his residence

 

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation of Martial Law in Mindanao last May 23, reminded me of the late President Ferdinand Marcos’ proclamation of Martial Law for the entire Philippines last September 21, 1972. I was then, working at the Congress of the Philippines as Special Assistant and press writer for the late Senator Lorenzo Teves, chairman of Finance, “the Money Bag.” Days before the proclamation, some employees were busy preparing payrolls for “payment.” I was asked to do the same. I refused. For several days, Kit Tatad who was appointed Secretary of Public Information (DPI) became the spokesperson and was heard on television all day, informing the people about changes in the government. Then President Marcos began dismantling Philippine Democracy with proclamation 1081. A wave of arrests hit some 200 opposition figures like Ninoy Aquino and newspapermen critical of the president. Curfew was effective immediately. President Marcos butchered freedom of speech and the infrastructure of civil government.

One famous journalist wrote: “He (the president) signed Proclamation No. 1081 placing the entire country under martial law to save the Republic from the communist New People’s Army, the private armies of the provincial warlords of the Right, the activist students linked to the Left and to the middle-class clerico-fascists in the universities, and the oligarchic families who owned newspapers and radio-TV networks which had relentlessly attacked corruption in his administration.”

The Congress of the Philippines was dissolved and so were our jobs. Like refugees, we were driven out of the Congress building by some “hambug soldiers. Like the rest, I was out of job for almost a month. When some selected newspapers were allowed to open, I got hired at the DPI as a “Media Specialist” another name for “Censor.” My salary was almost twice as much before. Contrary to the dictum of freedom of speech, my job was to censor several publications. Got to do it. I had a Makati apartment to pay rent and sisters and brothers to send to school. My promotion as National Youth Program Coordinator for SABAKA or “Samahan ng Bagong Kabataan” was a blessing. I traveled all over the country including to the Muslim land in Mindanao, holding youth seminars and parades in some cities with the help of the military who gave me all the support … me being a “Malacanang Girl.” The youth treated me like their big sister. I was young, then. And I had my heyday as a journalist on the side, with curtailed freedom. Mrs. Marcos even sent me to Scotland and London as a press officer for a ballet group which represented the Philippines at an international Youth Festival in Aberdeen, Scotland.

THE TRUTH NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP ME GOD: President Marcos and Mrs. Imelda Marcos were not as “Evils” as described by almost everyone. In fact, they had put the Philippines “on the Map of the World.” President Marcos was the only Asian President who delivered a speech at the US Congress where Americans listened. Mrs. Marcos put the Philippines on Top of the World in the Arts and Culture where internationally- known artists and government officials were guests. Many times I was able to help very needy Filipinos through the help of Mrs. Marcos. All I did was ask. Through the power of the Press under Censorship, I was able to help someone through the intervention of President Marcos when he read my “note” to one of the columnists.

It was still Martial Law when I left for America in 1976 when my Green Card application was approved after seven years. My Malacanang boss discouraged me from going and offered me a promotion. I gratefully refused. I left for Chicago … where I experienced THE NIGHTMARES OF MY ‘AMERICAN DREAM’ I almost went back to the Philippines. But Freedom and Opportunities in America prevailed. Years later.

TODAY, SOME FILIPINOS WELCOME PRES. DUTERTE’s MARTIAL RULE:

I asked some people in the Philippines (over the Phone) from the Visayas how they feel about Martal Law specially with threats from Pres. Duterte that he might include all the Visayas in his declaration. The answers I got were positive. They like Martial Law. It brought peace in their places, they said. Even the traffic. God bless the Philippines, the Land that WE Love. GOD BLESS the PEOPLE. Our Family.

President Duterte cut short his diplomatic visit to Russia when he learned about the attack of the ISIS in Mindanao. “We are in a state of emergency,” Duterte told his host country when he cut short a trip to Moscow and flew back to Manila. “I have a serious problem in Mindanao and the ISIS footprints are everywhere.”

According to the news, the terrorists’ attack of Marawi was to halt the soldiers in their search for Abu Sayyaf militant Isnilon Hapilon who is on the FBI’s “most wanted terrorist” list. The State Department has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Last May 23, Duterte declared Martial Law for 60 days in the entire region of Mindanao, home to 22 million people. He “vowed to be “harsh” saying: “If I think that you should die, you will die. If you fight us, you will die. If there is open defiance, you will die. And if it means many people dying, so be it.” He added saying “I said I would not allow abuses and that law-abiding citizens had nothing to fear.” Last June 12, some folks who left their homes in Marawi City, came back to the rubble of their former homes. The Mayor celebrated Philippine Independence Day amid the inhumane destructions. People including soldiers cried during the flag-raising ceremony, the news said.

In Chicago, the Philippine Consulate General with Consul General Generoso Calonge at the helm, held a very joyful Flag-Raising Ceremony at the Daley Plaza last Monday, June 12, at nine o’clock in the morning. It was attended by a good number of nationalistic Filipino Americans, many of whom are faithful to this

Celebration as shown by their annual attendance. A reception of Tunay na Pinoy delicious foods were served at the Philippine Consulate, with visiting Philippine Congressman Salvador Belaro, Jr. who spoke at the reception. Immediately after the congressman’s informative talk, the consular officers and guests went back to the Daley Center to watch the cultural show of Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC). Unfortunately, the blistering 90 -degrees heat which turned the seats like frying pans, dented the attendance of the lovely fashion show of various Filipiniana gowns. However, the show must go on. Congratulations to Lourdes Livas, overall PIWC Chair and her officers.

As of press time, the PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE WEEK COMMITTEE (PIWC) under the “baton” of Lourdes Livas is getting ready for the Gala Night on Saturday, June 17, at the Marriot O’Hare. God bless the celebration. The reason I don’t have other newsbits here about other groups like the PHILIPPINE WEEK COMMITTEE (are you still there?) is because the leaders do not send me any press releases. I used to ask them but never heard back. To our VIA TIMES Readers… you are all welcome to send your press releases as long as it beats VIA TIMES deadline and space.

FILIPINO AMERICANS joined the PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL in Chicago at the Flag Raising ceremony last June 12 at the Richard J. Daley Plaza to commemorate the 119th Philippine Independence Day. The Philippine flag will fly side by side the American flags for one month. y! Photo by the Philippine Consulate

Very humanely touching picture of Christian and Muslim — men and women in tears while watching the Flag-raising ceremony last June 12 to celebrate the 119th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY in their once beautiful Marawi City by the Bayside, now in rubble on account of the recent attacks of the ISIS… symbol of a “Brothers-against-Brothers” war. (esn) (AP photo)

Philippine Consul General Generoso Calonge and this columnist pose with IL State Secretary Jesse White, “Adopted Son of the Fil-Am Community,” at his Asian Pacific Heritage Month celebration last May.

Yoly Zoleta, program chair and Brenda Stevens, executive adviser, at the opening ceremony of the PIWC Cultural Show at the Daley Center last June 12. (ESNphoto)

The Philippine Consulate staff with Consul General Generoso Calonge in the middle. To his left is visiting Philippine Representative Salvador Belaro, Jr., Asst. Majority Leader and 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep of the 17th Congress (Philippine Consulate photo)

PIWC Beauty Queens in their lovely gowns… REAL

 

REAL HAPPY FATHERS honored by the MOTHERS last FATHERS’ DAY at FAITH COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH! Front, from left are Jojo Villegas, Dr. Ben Butuyan, Kit Hernandez, Ding Tamanio, and Bert Fernandez. Back from left – Vic Canoy, David Villanueva, Enie Ramos, Leandro Fernandez, Ric, PASTOR JOHN CHU, Rudy Navarro, Timmy Yeung (single), Ramon Fernandez, and Jesus “Bong” Valmores. (ESN photo)

The TINIKLING DANCERS of the PHILIPPINE AMERICAN CULTURAL FOUNDATION who performed at Secretary White’s reception. Courtesy of Ruben Salazar.

At the PIWC picnic at the Labagh Woods: Ludy Calderon, PIWC chair Lourdes Livas and Elsie, enjoying the sun.