Throwback 70's

Dekada '70 (English: "The ’70s") is a 2002 Filipino drama film released based on the acclaimed novel by Filipino author, Lualhati Bautista. The film was restored by the ABS-CBN Film Archive.

The film tells the story of a middle-class family in 1970s Philippines, and how they become aware of the political policies that have ultimately led to state repression andMartial Law. Vilma Santos stars as Amanda Bartolome, who realises the implications of living under a dictatorship after sorting out the contradictory reactions of her husband and five sons. Her husband, Julián (Christopher de Leon), supports their eldest son Jules (Piolo Pascual) in his efforts to rail against the government and who later joins the underground Kilusán(Movement); he also refuses Amanda her wish to find a job. Their second son, Gani (Carlos Agassi), is in the United States Navy. Their third son, Eman (Marvin Agustin), writes illegal political exposés and other banned literature. The fourth son, Jason, (Danilo Barrios), was found stabbed to death by corrupt policemen, and the youngest, Bingo (John Wayne Sace), is still a carefree adolescent. She also gains two daughters-in-law: Gani fathers Annaliza with his girlfriend, Evelyn (Dimples Romana), while Jules is revealed to have wed Mara (Ana Capri), a fellow member of the Kilusán and mother of their son.

I was definitely not alive when Martial Law strikes. But as a student, I once read and watched Dekada 70. The film showed us the scene during the darkest period of Philippine history, the Martial Law. During that time, dictator Marcos had led us and brought the government on corruption era where political interest mattered more than public welfare, where freedoms were suppressed; were communist-led movements for ousting Marcos Administration had emerged; and were women were disregarded in the “men’s world”. During this time, the government had everyone on their neck and all the laws are the standards whether a thing or decision is right or wrong. But as I watched the film, I later then realized that it is not only about the politics the film is portraying, but also the gender equality . Lualhati minces no worlds.  Through Amanda, Lualhati told us that women, too, have no limits. IF A MAN CAN, SO DO WOMEN. This film serves as an eye-opener to each and every woman out there with low self-esteem. Thank you Lualhati Bautista! I commend you on that.

Nationality is one’s loyalty and devotion to its nation also excessive patriotism. Nationalism is also the desire for national advancement and independence. Nationalism has many meanings, and can be shown in many different ways, but in the end, nationalism plays a big role in creating national identity. The film Dekada 70 showed us nationalism almost all the time. Julian expressed his nationalism by supporting Ferdinand Marcos “Martial Law”. He did agree on the president’s  decision upon the advantages of Martial Law in the Philippines. Jules, his oldest son showed nationalism by joining the New People’s Army (NPA) because he disagrees on what his father believes about martial law. The NPA is an activist group who aims to fight for the freedom and what is right for the Filipinos. Meanwhile, Gani works for the U.S Military. Em, also showed nationalism by publishing news and stories about what really happens on Martial Law as a journalist. Amanda showed her nationalism when she joined rallies to display her dislike towards the government after her son was killed by the government. Julian, later joined her. The movie displayed many great examples of scenes of protest, and a collective action of creating and preserving traumatic memories through writing and voice. The Bartolome family exhibited various acts of nationalism for they stand on what they believed is right to fight for.

Thanks to the film Dekada 70 for it provides entertainment and it serves as the perfect medium to portray the political ideology of the nationalism back 70’s. 

by: Maria Aira B. Sobreviñas

Source of the plot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dekada_'70_(film)