BulSUans Never Forget

Jade Pillosis

September 22, 2023

BulSU SG Senator and Student's Right and Welfare Chairperson Althea Jana Trinidad holding a placard that says "Never Again" at Bulacan Capitol's View Mini Forest during the 51st anniversary of Martial Law, yesterday.

Advocates and students of Bulacan State University simultaneously took part in the 51st commemoration of Martial Law.

Placards filled with relevant messages addressed to the Philippine government were facilitated by participants from different organizations and sectors as they gathered in the Malolos Capitol at 10 a.m. in preparation for the commemoration to be held at Quezon City in the afternoon.

Stand BulSU Secretary General Sheila Antaran calls for the administration to solve the severing poverty and to answer the public’s demands, “solusyunan nila ang tumitinding kahirapan sa mamamayan at tugunan ang mga panawagan tulad ng lupa, sapat na sahod, trabaho, edukasyon, at ibigay ang kanilang mga pangangailangan”.

Antaran also added that the government should not terrorize and object to the violence happening in the country, “huwag nila itong supilin, at tutulan ang lumalalang karahasan sa bansa”.

Student Government Senator Althea Jana Trinidad on the one hand, gave emphasis on the demanded call-to-action in response to the desaparecidos, “unahin ang mamamayan at itigil nila ang pamamaslang, palitawin ang mga desaparecidos”.

Trinidad pointed out that it is a challenge for the administration to listen to the people, “hamon sa kanila na pakinggan ang mamamayan dahil iyon ang tungkulin nila”.

The group then joined the Nationwide Protest in Liwasang Bonifacio and ended in Mendiola, carrying their advocacies together with the other sectors affected by the Martial Law.

To mourn within the BulSU premise

Spearheaded by the Local Student Council of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) together with BulSU Student Rights and Welfare, BulSUans didn't missed to commemorate within the campus premise by filling the Mendoza building with black ribbons, through banner hanging of statements; "NEVER AGAIN TO MARTIAL LAW", and "TO REMEMBER IS TO RESIST", then shortly, a candle lighting activity was offered to commemorate the lives taken in the process of martial law.

CSSP LSC adviser, Atty. Arjay Capitle, Student Regent, and BulSU SG President Arianna de Jesus, together with the student body, were also present and offered their thoughts on the event.

President Arianna reminds everyone in her speech that September 21 is not the only day to commemorate the old wounds caused by the martial law, as it plays a huge part in the anomalies evident within the current society, “let this be a reminder that this 51st anniversary is not the [only] day of [the] nightmare, kasi araw-araw tayong nakaka-experience ng bangungot”.

De Jesus prompted the attendees that truth is the hope, and it is what will reveal the reality in everyone, “it is truth that is our hope, and it is us na magsisiwalat ng katotohanan sa bawat isa”.

Atty. Arjay Capitle, as one of the major participants of the program, also expressed his notion regarding the Marcos family's return to Malacañan Palace, once again set to rule the nation, “sa pagbabalik ng mga Marcos sa Malacañang hindi man tayo nanalo sa Never Again, igigiit at igigiit pa rin natin ang Never Forget”.—OVERTURN