Weaving Back the Threads of Our Histories – Digital Museum of Martial Law in The Philippines

It is an extravagance and not. But at the same time, as First Lady, I have to flaunt – practically flaunt love and beauty so that the 50 million Filipinos will see what is to love and what is to positively feel, and what is perfection.

Imelda Marcos

from a CBC News Interview, Imelda Marcos : First Lady of Shoes – the fifth estate

Imelda Marcos

from a CBC News Interview, Imelda Marcos : First Lady of Shoes – the fifth estate

Weaving Back the Threads of Our Own Histories

Collaborative Art Project on the event of the 50th Anniversary of Martial Law in the Philippines

Thieves.

From our taxes to our futures, from our lives to our names and spaces in history, we have been robbed by the greatest of them all.

We have been fighting the good struggle for half a century now. Through both thundering militancy and subtle maneuverings we gained small victories against the giant and monstrous power – we continue reclaiming. We take back our coffers, our futures, our names and spaces in the threads and fabrics of our peoples’ histories.

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Martial Law in the Philippines we contribute to the building and rebuilding of narratives reflective of our past and visioning of our future. In doing so, we continue our struggle against authoritarianism and currently, against deception.

We have been gifted the blessings of creativity and artistry and thus we wield its power to fortify the truths of our nation.

Weaving Back the Threads of our Histories is a collaborative project symbolically reclaiming our stories, particularly the Filipiniana icon tarnished by the vulgar opulence of Imelda during the Marcos Regime.

The icon has been converted into a symbol of stature, gold, and grandeur crafted out of oppression of the Filipino people. This regalia is the line that separates the powerful from the rest of us, economically, politically, and culturally.

Rebuilding the Filipiniana icon stained with the names and faces of the 11,103 victims of the Marcos Regime listed by the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission (HRVVMC) aims to be a symbol that reclaims back our stories and visions and exposes the looms we were robbed off.

We take back our truths in every way possible, at every opportune moment. We take it back piece by piece, name after name after name, until we weave ourselves whole.

Weaving Back the Threads of Our Own Histories

Collaborative Art Project on the event of the 50th and 51st Anniversary of Martial Law in the Philippines

Thieves.

From our taxes to our futures, from our lives to our names and spaces in history, we have been robbed by the greatest of them all.

We have been gifted the blessings of creativity and artistry and thus we wield its power to fortify the truths of our nation.

We take back our truths in every way possible, at every opportune moment. We take it back piece by piece, name after name after name, until we weave ourselves whole.

From September 2022 to August 2023, students, educators, artists and activists contributed to the building of canvas cloths containing the names of the 11,103 recognized victims of the Marcos Martial Law Regime.

The final creative output is a one-of-a-kind creative work of (1) non-wearable Filipiniana reflective of Imelda Marcos’ opulently vulgar stylings during the Marcos Era. The material used are canvas cloths hand-written with the names of the 11,103 victims of the Marcos regime.

Using the list of victim names from the The Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission (HRVVMC) and the hand written names from the public, the artists created the textiles that will be the base of artwork.

During public events from September 2022 to August 2023, the martiallaw.ph team has set up a small workshops where the tables, textiles, and drawing materials were available. Artists, activists, and educators supervised the participating public in contributing their handwriting to the project.

The traveling workshop landed in different locations around the Philippines and engaged in areas historically affected by the Martial Law of the 70s and 80s.

The traveling workshop landed in different locations around the Philippines and engaged in areas historically affected by the Martial Law of the 70s and 80s.

Rotate: Swipe/left-click drag.
Zoom: Pinch in and out / mouse wheel.
Pan: 3-finger swipe / right-click drag.

Credits: Micheline Rama (Lead Designer) | Christine Alvarez (Project Manager) | Elvin Jay Macanlalay (Creative Director)

DAKILA Collectives in Iloilo, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Laguna, Manila

Kara Magsanaoc-Alikpala

Bantayog ng mga Bayani | Human Rights Victims Memorial Commission | University of the Philippines Film Institute

Take back our names and stories. Contribute to the building of Filipino history with integrity. We urge you to do the following:

Organize a Screening

11,103 by is available for screening to communities, schools, and organizations. We will help you organize one.

Book a Screening

Learn more about Authoritarianism

Arm yourself with the knowledge on what authoritarianism is towards being able to engage in meaningful discussion on poltiics.

Read the primer on Authoritarianism

Showcase the Filipinana

The Filipiana is a great conversation starter and centerpiece for learning about the Martial Law era. If you are interested in exhibiting this artwork in your schools or communities, let us know.

Showcase this in your areas