On Sept. 21, 1972, Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law in the Philippines. It birthed one of the darkest chapters of Philippine history — a period rife with human rights violations and massive corruption.

Today, Filipinos slowly forget about this dark period as attempts to distort history emerge. Social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok have paved the way for disinformation peddlers to spread a myriad of myths and lies that paint the Martial Law regime as the “golden age” of the Philippines.

Fortunately, books and films have become instruments of truth. Over the years, several authors and filmmakers have depicted events of the Martial Law regime in their works based on facts and truthful accounts. More than just entertaining audiences, they aim to educate their audiences about the past that seems to be forgotten.

Below is a list of books and films to refresh your memory of the Marcos years and debunk absurd myths and claims you may have absorbed. From gritty novels to harrowing documentaries, these works vividly remind us of the grim realities we must not allow to happen again.

1. Dekada ‘70 (1983)

(Photo from Goodreads)

Starting off this list is Lualhati Bautista’s magnum opus, Dekada ‘70. Due to its impact and historical relevance, it has been adapted into a film of the same title in 2002, and later staged into a musical. However, as good as these adaptations are, the original remains superior.

Told from the perspective of Amanda Bartolome, a mother to five sons, Dekada ‘70 revolves around her family’s life during the 1970s when Ferdinand Marcos imposed Martial Law. It explores the trials and hardships they experienced during the repressive Marcos administration, as well as Amanda’s social and political awakening. With her sons actively opposing the administration and eventually becoming victims of its atrocities, Amanda transforms from a subservient housewife and apolitical citizen to an empowered patriot who stands for what is right and bravely fights for her country.

Through compelling characters and riveting storytelling, Bautista is able to depict the tumultuous political climate of the 1970s and emphasize the severe impacts of Martial Law. Her brilliant portrayal of human rights abuses, political corruption, and gender inequality is enough to illustrate to readers why the Marcos dictatorship is far from being a golden age.

2. Liway (2018)

(Photo from Liway (2018))

Gripping, poignant, and deeply personal, Liway brings to light the struggles that political prisoners during the Marcos years went through. It chronicles the real-life experiences of Dakip, (Kenken Nuyad), a little boy who grew up inside a prison camp as the son of Day (Glaiza de Castro), also known as Commander Liway, an anti-Marcos dissident and former guerrilla commander. With the circumstances in the camp threatening them each day, Day braves the challenges of raising a child in a prison camp during an era of brutal dictatorship.

Coupled with heartrending dialogues and moving performances, Liway is a powerful ode to the victims of Martial Law. In a time when authorities severely abused their power and filled the streets with terror, they chose to speak up and risk their lives, fighting for what was right and for the people they love.

Surely, you’d shed a tear while watching Dakip and Day’s story — and even more once you see that heartwarming revelation in the credits.

Following the proliferation of disinformation during the campaign period of the 2022 elections, Liway has been made available to stream for free on Youtube via director Kip Oebanda’s channel. Watch it here.

3. Gun Dealers’ Daughter (2012)

(Photo from Goodreads)

What happens when a person from the elite class joins the opposition? Will they fare better than most, given their privileges? That’s precisely the question Gina Apostol’s Gun Dealers’ Daughter tries to answer.

The novel centers around Soledad “Sol” Soliman, the young, bookish, and intelligent daughter of two absurdly wealthy arms dealers. Spoiled by her parents’ immense wealth, she once enjoyed a life full of privileges. However, after befriending radical students in her university, her perspective about society and the Marcos government completely changes — and soon, her life too. She begins questioning her own morals, beliefs, and actions, then finds herself joining the ranks of activists and plotting the assassination of a politician.

Through Sol’s story, Apostol gives readers a view of the Philippines’ socioeconomic state during the Marcos years. With a dash of dark humor, she details the social and economic issues prevalent at the time: class struggle, the dominance of wealthy families, and the economic repercussions the dictatorship had on the country.

4. Barber’s Tales (2013)

(Photo from Barber’s Tales (2013))

Weaving together themes of feminism, patriotism, and politics, Barber’s Tales is an intricate story of self-discovery. Set in a rural village at the height of political unrest, the film revolves around recently widowed Marilou (Eugene Domingo) as she inherits her deceased husband’s barbershop and becomes the town’s new barber, much to the mockery of male villagers. Struggling to find her voice in a patriarchal society, she embarks on a journey towards independence, liberation, and purpose.

Barber’s Tales has everything you need in a feminist movie: well-written female characters, stellar performances, and a biting commentary on patriarchy. But besides its strong feminist aspects, it sheds light on the obstacles that women faced during the Martial Law era, including sexism, gender inequality, and prostitution. Much like Marilou, they were rendered voiceless and powerless, but they were also brave enough to fight back and show everyone just how much they were capable of.

Watch Barber’s Tales here.

5. 12:01 (2016)

(Photo from Goodreads)

If you’re into graphic novels, you might wanna check out 12:01, a comic book written by Russell Molina and illustrated by Trese artist Kajo Baldisimo.

Told in an eerie, foreboding tone, this comic book depicts one of the most feared things during the Martial Law era: the midnight curfew. It follows a group of bandmates who end up missing the curfew after their car suddenly breaks down on their way home. To avoid getting arrested, they hide and get as far away from the police as possible. Along the way, readers are given insights into the wicked crimes committed by law enforcement officials during the Marcos administration, such as the abduction of journalists and activists and the abuses inflicted on curfew violators.

In just 48 pages, Molina and Baldisimo were able to capture the atmosphere of dread and trepidation during the Martial Law era. Molina’s use of engaging dialogues, paired with Baldisimo’s evocative illustrations, gives readers a clear idea of how terrifying it was to walk the streets with the imminent threat of getting abducted, tortured, and never seen again.

6. Sister Stella L. (1984)

(Photo from Sister Stella L. (1984))

The role of militant nuns during the Marcos years is revisited in Sister Stella L., one of renowned Filipino filmmaker Mike de Leon’s classics. It tells the story of Sister Stella Legaspi (Vilma Santos), a politically indifferent nun, who, after learning about the predicaments of the working class and the poor, begins to take a stand and protest against the unjust practices of the government. In doing so, she faces a slew of criticisms and becomes a witness to the horrors of Martial Law.

Emotional and thought-provoking, Sister Stella L. covers a wide range of topics, from the church’s involvement in politics to the effects of Martial Law on the labor force and poverty. Furthermore, it also serves as a wake-up call to those of us who choose to be apathetic towards politics. As Sister Stella L. herself said: "Kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino ang kikilos? At kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?" (If we’re not gonna act, who’s gonna act? And if not now, when?)

Watch Sister Stella L. here.

7. The Conjugal Dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos (1976)

(Photo from Ateneo de Manila University Press)

A list of works about Martial Law would not be complete without Primitivo Mijares’ seminal memoir, The Conjugal Dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. Published in 1976, it is widely regarded as one of the most credible and authoritative accounts of the Marcos dictatorship.

Mijares was Ferdinand Marcos’ trusted media adviser and chief propagandist before his eventual defection in 1975. Hence, his memoir draws from his firsthand experiences while working for Marcos and offers readers a detailed, close-up look at the events that led up to the decreeing of Martial Law in 1972. Throughout the memoir, he exposes the crimes and schemes that the Marcoses committed to justify the declaration of Martial Law and manipulate the masses, as well as the key persons who helped them accomplish their agenda.

Mijares’ memoir serves as a reminder and proof that the Marcos regime was, first and foremost, rooted in corruption. The Martial Law, from the get-go, was not imposed with good intentions; it was merely a ploy for Marcos to remain in power.

8. The Kingmaker (2019)

(Photo from Lauren Greenfield)

For the most part, Imelda Marcos’s image is defined by her lavish lifestyle. When talking about her, most people would bring up her extravagant outfits, or perhaps her enormous collection of shoes. But in Lauren Greenfield’s The Kingmaker, her crucial role in the Marcos dictatorship gets highlighted. More than just a fashionista, she was a major driving force behind her husband’s ascent to power.

The 2019 documentary sees Marcos sitting down for a string of candid interviews. In the process, we get glimpses of her and her family’s history, including her days as a beauty queen, the dark days of Martial Law, and her family’s attempts to return to political power. Moreover, the film also features interviews and testimonies of Martial Law victims, which are intercut with Marcos’ own scenes. This enables the film to provide two contrasting perspectives and juxtapose Marcos’ false statements about Martial Law with truthful accounts.

Overall, The Kingmaker warns us of the dangers of historical revisionism and how it has helped the Marcoses maintain their influence over the past years. With the prominence of fake news and propaganda in this digital age, it has become easy for us to forget our country’s history. And now that the Marcoses are back in the presidential palace, this message rings truer than ever.

Watch The Kingmaker here.