THE CHALLENGE

Established in 1986, Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation (Monument of Heroes) or “BANTAYOG” was founded by a group who spearheaded the struggle against the repressive MARTIAL LAW DICTATORSHIP of FERDINAND MARCOS Sr. To this day, the organization continues to honor the heroes of that dark era. 

Unfortunately, online disinformation is whitewashing and erasing the atrocities of the dictator’s 20-year regime from the minds of the youth who have no recollection of this era to begin with. 

The organization knew it needed to do something brave and daring to bring truth to light. But with very limited funding and the current political discourse not on their side, how will they challenge the massive and well-organized Marcos propaganda? They had to bring the conversation away from the noise online, but still close enough to reach the target market. 

THE IDEA

The stories of 3,257 people killed, 35,000 tortured, and 70,000 incarcerated are being silenced on social media. These are stories of bravery that can enlighten the minds of Filipino youth. But these had to be told compellingly, away from the noise of online disinformation.

So we took these stories offline, through STREET MEMORIALS.

We identified exact locations where martial law heroes were murdered or last seen. Candles were then lit in these places - schools, sidewalks, bridges - on the month the late dictator’s ousting is commemorated.

Remembering the heroes this way revealed more of the truth, as the candle wax filled in a mold illustrating the faces of each represented hero. The QR-powered memorial led to a website where 3D & Spatial audio dramatizations revived stories of bravery -creating a more immersive and tangible reminder of the heroes’ sacrifice, right where it happened.

THE IMPACT 

The campaign enlightened the Filipino youth and compelled them to share their thoughts back online – sparking a wildfire as posts and sentiments went viral. Major local news caught on - extending the campaign’s reach. Soon, people started challenging the Marcos propaganda once again online and on-ground, as different concerned organizations went back to the streets to decry the said whitewashing.

Best of all, this clamor for truth inspired leading universities to take more serious steps to institutionalize Martial Law education as part of their curriculum. Ensuring future generations will always be aware of this era’s lessons. 

Now that more Street Memorials are appearing everywhere in the Philippines, more martial law stories are bringing truth to light like never before.

CULTURAL CONTEXT

CANDLES - Filipinos light candles on the street to remember the departed, tragic or historic events. 

This practive was used in the campaign as a reminder of martial law and a symbol of enlightenment

EDSA PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION - the peaceful revolution that ousted late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in February 1986. The Bantayog Street Memorials campaign was launched to the public last February 2023, in time for its 37th anniversary.

HISTORICAL DISTORTION - The youth’s low awareness about Martial Law was the perfect opportunity for Marcos Jr. to twist history in his favor in the last elections. Paid trolls and influencers continue to whitewash the minds and hearts of the generations who have no recollection of Martial Law to begin with. Unfortunately, these generations made up 33% of voters in the last national elections.