The Legacy of Martial Law in the Philippines

On 21 September 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Proclamation 1081 and declared the Philippine under Martial Law. The imposition of military rule is "to save the Republic and form a new society." I was in Grade 6 when this happened. As a child, we did not mind about it although we had to plant vegetables in school in line with the Green Revolution project of the government. We had to memorize and sing "Bagong Lipunan" song right after the Lupang Hinirang. The song was written by National Artist  Felipe Padilla De Leon and went like this:

Bagong Lipunan

May bagong silang,

May bago nang buhay,

Bagong bansa,

Bagong galaw,

Sa Bagong Lipunan.

Magbabago ang lahat,

Tungo sa pag-unlad,

at ating itanghal,

Bagong lipunan!

Victims of the Martial Law will disagree with me but it seemed peaceful and quiet during that time. As a child, we did not mind the curfew. The only time I joined a protest rally was when the Education Act of 1981 was being considered. This Act will put the University of the Philippines under the Ministry of Education which many UP students strongly opposed.

However, here are the positive legacy of the Martial Law:

Cultural Center of the Philippines

Folk Arts Theater of the Philippines

GSIS Building

Product Development & Design Center of the Philippines

Philippine International Convention Center (PICC)