UP martial law subject to focus on literature

A subject that will tackle the situation of the country under martial rule may be introduced as part of the curriculum of the University of the Philippines (UP) next year.

The proposed subject that will be called Philippine Studies (PS) 21 will focus on the literature and critical works produced within the decade that martial law was in effect.

According to a report by Dano Tingcungco on GMA News' State of the Nation Address with Jessica Soho, the subject will tackle the situation, language, culture, and society through the works produced during the era.

Tingcungco clarified that although the subject will discuss the history of martial law for context, there will also be discussions on related issues.

The subject will also talk the problems that remained after martial law was lifted in 1981.

Former President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial rule over the entire country through Proclamation No. 1081 on Sept. 21, 1972. Martial law was lifted, January 1981.

"May pagtalakay rin siya- ito ang nangyari sa kasaysayan, ito yung mga sumunod na pamunuan. Ngayon ay nabubuhay tayo sa isang klase ng administrasyon na parang may tangkang burahin kung ano man yung pagkakatanda o pagkakaunawa ng maraming tao tungkol sa batas militar," Vladimeir Gonzales, Chairman of UP Department of Filipino and Panitikan sa Pilipinas, said.

UP also created the martial law museum as a way to remember all the events during martial law, Tingcungco said.

Malacañang, meanwhile, supported the idea of teaching the language, literature and culture under martial law in the academe.

“That’s good if it’s a subject matter; every student should know and learn any subject that concerns governance,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference.

Though PS 21 was approved by the UP University Council, it is still has to undergo deliberation and subsequent approval under the UP System. If approved, UP students can avail of the new subject by June next year. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA News