STUDENTS of more than 10 schools and universities in Cebu city received a copy of the book Marcos Martial Law: Never Again penned by renowned Filipino journalist Raissa Robles at Handuraw Pizza Cafe, Gorordo Avenue Saturday.
The book records the accounts of human rights violations, corruption and other atrocities during the Martial Law era.
About 44 students also participated and listened to the testimonial of former Carcar vice mayor Atty. Morcing Barcenas, who was jailed for three years “by asking questions to the Marcos administration.”
The ceremonial hand-over of the books was part of the two-hour Martial Law storytelling titled A Story that Needs to be Told, which started at 2:30 pm.
The activity was organized by Akbayan Youth partylist, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) and Senator Risa Hontiveros, who was also present in the event.
“Let us continue our efforts in restarting the conversation. This (hand-over of the books) is just one of the modest efforts to educate the Filipinos, especially the youth, on the horrors committed during the Martial Law,” said Hontiveros.
Barcenas, who was among the guest speakers, later revealed a plan on compiling and publishing memoirs of “…those who fought and survived for their freedom in Cebu City.”
The books will be donated to the libraries of Abellana National School, Punta Princesa Night High School, University of the Visayas, St. Theresa’s College, University of the Philippines Cebu, Benedicto College, University of Cebu and University of San Carlos.