Think about it
A Martial law experience revisited
By Jun Velasco
“My thoughts have wings. I can’t be imprisoned by these walls,” Entrances 1980
MEMORIES have their healing power.
Who was the poet who said “our greatest joys are those that tell of our saddest thoughts?”
In an interview by ABS-CBN’s Michelle Soriano and her camera man Boy Marcos last Monday—a day after Martial Law Anniversary (September 21, 1972)—we couldn’t help recoiling from the 30 days of our detention—seven days at the Lingayen Barracks, and 22 days at Camp Aquino, Tarlac.
We could only thank then Constabulary Chief Fidel V. Ramos, Secretary Jake Clave, and Gen. Wilfredo Estrada (then chief of the NISA (National Intelligence Security Agency), and yes, then Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., and others who must have insisted to our captors led by Gen. Fabian Ver that we and most of our fellow detainees including former Board Member Nestor Pulido, newsmen Manny Cornel, Fred Macaraeg, student activists Manny Gatchalian, Bayani Caguira, Teddy Amador, Danny Gutierrez (the last two now lawyers), Lito Ang, Teddy Gomez, Freddie Galvan that we were mere “kibitzers,” trying to enliven the democratic debate on the absurdity of “thought control” or curtailment of press freedom.
We were also denouncing the frequency of mass arrests at the drop of a hat.
The experience was heart-wrenching.
Deep in the night we’d hear sobs of fellow detainees inside the camp on their dark fate.
This was very graphic among some 30 high school students of Bayambang High School who were hailed to the barracks at the vengeful report of a school employee.
One night, while we crawled to Nestor Pulido’s bed to engaged him in some little talk, we suddenly felt the cold nose of a carbine on our head.
What ate us up was the air of uncertainty worsened by talks that we were to be taken to an unknown forest or to be lined up against the wall and shot.
One would never know the pain of being told not to go beyond the line because we were a detainee.
It was then, we told Michelle Soriano of ABS-CBN, that we realized the full meaning of freedom. It’s like the very air we breathe.
It was also then that we understood why the hero of that movie Braveheart, when asked about his last wish, simply shouted, “Freedom!”
NOTES: On the compensation for ex-detainees, we advise all claimants to file their claims with the Human Rights Claims Board E. Virata Hall, E. Jacinto St., UP Diliman, Quezon City.
Each victim/heir has to report personally to fill up the forms, submit affidavits including 2 persons to vouch for knowledge of the claimant. Papers should include birth, death certificates, back to back Xerox of two government-issued IDs.
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West Pangasinan’s new look or new outlook has caught the interest and excitement of investors including a Korean group led by Mr. Hwang Jae Yong of Korea’s Disabled Art & Culture Development Association.
Many say Dasol should be the province’s heart and soul because of its biggest product–salt. The province, you know, derives its name from this precious mineral.
You gain entry to this idyllic town thru its landmark: “Dasol Home of Quality Salt.”
It’s third class in the local government classification, but most everyone could feel its conscious effort to join the big league. Its integrated development blueprint was put together by a triumvirate—Mayor Noel Nacar, Congressman Boying Celeste and Gov. Amado Espino, Jr.
Irrefutably development-minded, Nacar is the province’s municipal mayors league president.
Guv’nor Espino was largely instrumental in Noel’s ascent to the league’s leadership, giving him an integral role as the province’s much acclaimed “success story.”
Under Nacar’s leadership, Dasol has put up a modern municipio that can rival the best in design and architecture nationwide. The town is now completing a world-class gym.
Pangasinan’s developmental saga is being told and retold all over the world.
Ask any balikbayan in your town and village, and he’ll tell you a well recycled coffee shop “tsismis” in the Americas, in Hongkong, in Saudi, in the Marianas, even in Great Britain, and even in the communist enclaves of China and North Korea. Ang Pangasinan ay pinag-uusapan dahil sa kanyang ganda at masisipag na mamamayan.
The Capitol is even being compared to Washington’s White House, according to a native of Mangatarem, Dan Niño, who now lives in Los Angeles.
Dan, by the way, was past president of the Los Angeles Press Club.
Noel Nacar says he is astutely balancing beauty and increase the town’s income because at times the twin would clash that could jeopardize a desired goal.
Rich in mineral resources, Dasol has set aside its mining development program while it zeroes in on infra, including a new P250-million road line helped funded by Congressman Celeste.
A circumspect businessman, Mayor Nacar is on his third term and, it is believed, he has to shuffle his cards with excellence if he has to preserve and sustain the gains his leadership has brought to the town.
On his visit to the town, Mr. Hwang hints it’s necessary to brighten the remote sections of the villages to keep them in step with civilization.
He has introduced “a new lighting concept SNS Lighting New Paradigm of LED Lighting Solution which through its highest LED lighting technology reduces greenhouse effect and environment pollution.”
The system, says Mr. Hwang, “has solved heat dissipation effectively as well as achieved innovative performances of energy saving and improved illumination intensity by expansion of light transmission and high efficiency.”
If the West was tagged in the 60’s as the wild, wild west, “It’s now the outlook of the future.”
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