History, hugot, a despot’s burial

Text and photos by Karol Ilagan

HISTORY and a whole lot of hugot fueled the protest action by Filipinos of all age groups on Wednesday, Nov. 30, against the sneaky burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani of the deposed strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Pop culture and millennial-speak defined the placards and posters of various make, messages, and color dotted the sea of people that gathered at EDSA People Power Monument on White Plains Avenue in Quezon City.

One rallyist held a placard that read: “Kay crush, di ako maka-move on, kay Marcos pa kaya!”

In front of the stage stood out a poster that read, “Imelda wears Prada,” an apparent allusion to the comedy-drama film, The Devil Wears Prada.

Fans of the popular fantasy TV series Game of Thrones, meanwhile, quickly recognized the banner with the words, “A Marcos Never Pays (His) Debt,” an allusion to the fictional Lannister family, who typically pays their debt.

Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, who had resigned day before as chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, called on the youth to strive to know and learn history.

Diokno said that while the Supreme Court may have ruled that Marcos could be buried at the Libingan, what can be done is far different from what should be done.

This is the third major rally organized in Metro Manila after the Marcos family interred the remains of the late dictator at the heroes’ cemetery a fortnight ago. The first mobilization was held at the same venue on Nov. 18 and the second, at the Luneta in Manila on Nov. 25. — PCIJ, November 2016