‘Batas Militar’ documentary team reunites

OCCUPY EDSA People occupied Edsa for several days to protect reformist soldiers involved in a coup attempt against the Marcos regime in February 1986. —PEOPLE POWERBOOK, THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION OF 1986

The team behind the authoritative “Batas Militar” documentary on the Marcos dictatorship reunited in time for the 31st anniversary of Edsa People Power Revolution.

Ten of the team members led by executive producer Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala attended the special screening of the two-hour film held on Tuesday at Ateneo de Manila University.

Alikpala said it was the group’s biggest reunion since the film debuted on Sept. 21, 1997, the 25th anniversary of the imposition of martial law.

“We need to keep sharing what happened so no one will change the story and no one will miss the lessons,” she told the audience that included teachers, who said they showed the documentary to their students.

She urged students to be vigilant against the return of authoritarianism and repression.

Coproducter Veronica Alcaneses told the young crowd to listen to the stories of those who had lived through martial law and to discern the truth about the Marcos years “given there are so many lies online.”

Writer Pete Lacaba shared his experience of going underground when martial law was declared and the torture he suffered during his  imprisonment from 1974 to 1976.

“If we have to go back to the streets, let’s go back to the streets,” said the documentary’s musical director, actor Jaime Fabregas.

It was the Foundation for Worldwide People Power headed by Inquirer founding chair Eugenia D. Apostol that tapped the team to document the Marcos years.