Conserving the legacy of martial law and EDSA heroes

ARESPONSE to an urgent concern that emerged during the recent observance of EDSA’s 30th anniversary - that of conserving the legacy of hundreds of heroes who were either killed, imprisoned, or who simply disappeared during the dark days of the dictatorship, was the setting up of the Experiential Museum. I still have to visit it but those who had seen it hope that every Filipino can have the experience, even if merely visually and virtually, to be able to appreciate its lessons – that Never again would we tolerate abuses by tyrants, and never would we allow historical revisionism as suggested by some quarters.

But for the museum to have much wider impact, it must be complemented by a dissemination technology that would reach more people such as radio, TV, comic books, or the Internet. Thus, the need for a multi-media public service communication channel owned and managed by the public. But, whenever we say “public”, what usually comes to the minds of some, is “government” since we refer to our officials as public officials. No, a PSC is independent from government, its policies shaped by members from the non-government sector of our society. The BBC (British Broadcast System) , NHK of Japan, CBC of Canada, PBS (US), and several other models in Germany, Europe, and Asia are examples, and they complement programming from existing commercial or government-owned systems.

How would a local PSC respond to emerging needs of present society? As I noted in an earlier paper, a public service communication system could provide the balance in a highly commercialized and urban-centric system – one owned by families that run multiple economic interests. It would address the predominance of entertainment, violence, trivia, and lack of content about what our basic sectors would need to know for basic survival – information to improve the productivity of farmers, fisherfolk, information on livelihood skills , health and sanitation, environment and climate change, and more important, our culture and history, the key to enabling us to know who we are. It could complement the educational system in its plan to upgrade and expand the teaching of history. We can have weekly historical dramas beyond what we already have on Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, Aguinaldo and Heneral Luna. We would be able to feature every hero of Martial Law and EDSA and every contemporary hero as well. And it could educate and entertain and give every Filipino in the remotest barangay the opportunity to understand his beginnings, and most important, to feel proud that he/she is a Filipino.

Along with an alternative channel, we can experiment with new methodologies such as the art of storytelling. It resonates with the times as it gives ordinary people the opportunity to share experiences. Stories open up the possibility of identification and emotional involvement, and the building of trust. An example of the use of storytelling is the project on Restorative Narrative, described as one that focuses on building resiliency that leads to renewal and recovery. One of the positive consequences of the Yolanda tragedy, this project, according to the initiators, “mobilizes people and communities because they focus on positive feelings such as kindness, generosity, and gratitude – emotions that build physical, intellectual and social resources that help people manage future threats and give them hope”. While the themes may focus on tragedies and negative aspects of life, these are dealt with in a respectful manner.

A public service channel could then be an alternative voice of the silent majority – those who are left out in the shaping of decisions that affect their lives because they are unable to actively participate. Earlier initiatives in this direction by lobby groups from the academe and civil society merely went as far as the crafting and filing of draft bills during past Congresses. Some of these bills are wellrationalized especially on funding as many now recognize that broadcasting or similar channels will not be able to effect the needed impact on the minds and hearts of the people unless it invests adequate resources to ensure creativity and excellence in program content. While I was on the board of PTV-4, we drafted a bill to transform the network into a public service broadcast system but the next board failed to follow through. The government cannot move in this direction even if it wanted to because of the network’s current financial state. But would it be willing to do it with IBC 13? It might be too late for the present administration to make such this decision, but perhaps the next leaders could take up the challenge.