By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo

 

IN 1981, September 21 was declared by the United Nations (UN) as International Day of Peace, a global observance dedicated “to strengthening the ideals of peace through non-violence and a temporary worldwide ceasefire” through Resolution 36/37. In 2001, the UN General Assembly passed a second resolution, unanimously designating September 21 as a dedicated day for non-violence and cease-fire.

In the Philippines, September 21, 1972, became the official date that martial law was established through Proclamation No. 1081, marking the beginning of the Marcos dictatorship lasting for fourteen years. The proclamation was formally lifted on January 17, 1981 by Proclamation No. 2045, although Marcos retained essentially all of his powers until he was exiled on 25 February 1986 during the People Power Revolution.

On the 21st of September 2025, my sister Emma and I will join the anti-corruption rallies in two locations: at the People Power Monument EDSA organized by ISAMBAYAN and the youth-led rally at Luneta Park. It is our hope that these rallies can stem corruption and usher sustained good governance reforms through peaceful and non-violent means amid infiltration by politically-motivated groups.

 

Paggapong (Amputasyon)

Oo, madilim ngayon
bumabaha ng natuyong luha
Papano, tanong mo, nangyari sa atin to?
Nandito tayo dahil
nagpabaya tayo
kasabwat sa ating pagdurusa
Hinayaan nating ang mga sugat
ay lumala, mabulok
hanggang halos wala ng magawa, kundi
putulin ang ating mga paa
Pagkatapos, siguro
makakalakad tayong muli
magiging makatao, muli
at maninindigan bilang
iisang lahi

 

Severance

Yes, it’s dark these days
soaked with dry tears
How, you ask, did we come to this?
We are here because we were
complacent
complicit in our misery
We allowed the wounds
to fester, to rot
until nothing can be done, except
to amputate
Then, probably, we can
walk again
be human, again
and stand up
as a people

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