BAYANI
On
November 18, 2016, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos was buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani.
The
poem “Bayani” was written in protest and
was published in the Fall 2018 issue of J
Journal:
Copies
of the issue in which the poem was published were delivered to various members
of the political opposition.
On
July 12, 2019, for example, the following letter of transmittal was sent to
Senator Risa Hontiveros:
begin
begin
The
Honorable
Senator
Risa Hontiveros
Rm.
527 & 9 (New Wing 5/F), GSIS Bldg., Financial Center
Diokno
Blvd., Pasay City
Philippines
Subject:
Letter of Transmittal – J Journal,
Vol. XI, No. 2 (Fall 2018)
Dear
Senator Hontiveros:
Please
accept a copy of J Journal, Vol. XI,
No. 2 (Fall 2018), which features on page 3 my poem, “Bayani,” written in protest against the burial of former President
Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani
on November 18, 2016.
The
enclosed journal copy is conveyed as an expression of thanks for your
opposition to the Marcos burial.
On
November 14, 2016, you authored the Senate resolution stating that the crimes
of Marcos and the human rights violations committed under Martial Law rendered
him unfit to be given a hero’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Eloquently, you said, “It is our duty as
senators, as Filipinos, as students of history, to stand against this travesty
and say—as has been said before—never again. Only then can we look back to the
past with pride, and to the future with hope. Let us not fail the test of
history.”
Our
country needs heroes—genuine heroes—to set forth exemplary conduct and to
inspire our people in honorable service to our nation. Your public opposition
to the Marcos burial at Libingan
contributes significantly to this worthy purpose in the task of
nation-building. Marcos hindi bayani!
Thank
you.
Sincerely,
Joseph
I. B. Gonzales
Pen
Name: Gonzalinho da Costa
Encl:
1
end
end
In response to my letter of transmittal, Vice President of the Philippines Leni Robredo wrote the following, April 7, 2019:
begin
My
sincerest gratitude and appreciation to you for furnishing me a copy of J
Journal, which contains your thought-provoking satire “Bayani,” protesting the
burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the heroes’ cemetery.
“Bayani”
is a testament to the power of the written word; it reminds us, your readers,
of our collective responsibility to speak out against the many injustices that
persist in our society today—the Marcos burial included.
At
a time when the Marcos family seeks to rehabilitate their image at the expense
of our history, we are grateful to have allies in people like you, who use
their skills and creative perspective in fighting for what is right and just.
It is my hope that through your work, many others will find the courage to keep
fighting the good fight.
Again,
thank you and congratulations on your feat.
Sincerely,
Leni
Robredo
end
Soon after receiving the letter of transmittal and journal, Justice Mario Victor F. Leonen wrote:
Soon after receiving the letter of transmittal and journal, Justice Mario Victor F. Leonen wrote:
begin
I
finally saw the journal on New Writing for Justice and read your work ‘Bayani.’
Indeed, the burial of the dictator was a dark even which, in many ways,
represents so many wrongs we have done on our democracy.
It
was an honor for me to have been able to dissent as I am sure you found it
inevitable to write your poem.
I
have faith in our people. Someday, perhaps in the succeeding generation, they
will go back upon our literature today and be inspired to be better than us.
All
the best.
With
you, for freedoms,
[Signature]
end
His
personal communication uplifts my sagging heart.
Chito Gascon, Chairperson of the constitutional Commission on Human Rights, wrote, August 29, 2019:
Chito Gascon, Chairperson of the constitutional Commission on Human Rights, wrote, August 29, 2019:
begin
I
wish to express my gratitude and to acknowledge receipt of the copy of J
Journal, Vol. XI, No. 2 (Fall 2018) which features your poem “Bayani”—a
wonderful literary work that you have written in protest against the burial of
former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. This journal
will be an invaluable addition to the modest collection that we have at the Library
of the Commission on Human Rights for the use of everyone—especially the
students and the youth.
Your
positive feedback is appreciated as much as it gives me hope and strength to
sustain me in our work in fighting for democracy and human rights. May your
work be a source of inspiration for our people and the generations to come to
fight for what is right and to value our cherished freedoms.
Sincerely,
Jose
Luis Martin C. Gascon
Chairperson
Commission
on Human Rights
end
“Study
the past in order to break with the past.”
“He
who builds the future without regard for the past is like one who looks into
the mirror and promptly forgets what he sees.”
“Remembrance
is the vision of the future.”
Our country needs genuine heroes. Marcos is not one of them. What we seek is men and women of exemplary conduct who inspire our people in honorable service to our nation.
 |
| Marcos denies he has lupus erythematosus |
