By AC Putong
The Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) Socio-Political Committee commemorated the 54th anniversary of Martial Law and its victims through a forum and candle lighting ceremony.
Historical researcher Kart Henzzel Arnaiz served as keynote speaker during the “Never Again, Never Forget: Martial Law Forum” last Sept. 26 at the SU Audio-visual Theater.
He detailed the experiences of detention, interrogation, and participation of student activists in Dumaguete City during the period.
“The majority of the college students in all campuses, including [SU], were vigorously campaigning for social and political changes. Public demonstrations can be seen in the streets as well as public places in Dumaguete City,” Arnaiz said during the forum.
The historical researcher also spoke on the rationale behind the declaration of Martial Law, historical accounts, testimonies from victims of human rights violations, and its continuing effects.
SUSG Socio-Political Committee Chairperson Carl Cabana said they chose Arnaiz as the speaker since he has “multiple accounts of what happened in Dumaguete and Negros” during the period.
“There were a lot of things he disclosed to the audiences that were often overlooked by the Dumagueteños—he gave us insights on what really happened locally aside from nationwide,” she said.
Meanwhile, students faced rainy weather as they remembered the lives lost and those who endured hardships during Martial Law on Sept. 23 at the Amphitheater.
SUSG Socio-Political Committee Chairperson Josham Hamid said students’ participation despite the rain “symbolized their commitment and eagerness without coming off as performative.”
“We were glad to see new faces that we didn’t expect to come, and it was really raining and we were struggling to find a new location […] People started showing [up] even if it was under those circumstances,” she said.
Meanwhile, Cabana said the committee will soon organize information drives for voting, events to combat student apathy, and projects that can make students “feel involved in the community” through the events.
The forum was co-organized by DAKILA – Dumaguete, a collective working to spark social consciousness and build a movement of heroism toward social transformation in Negros Oriental.
