Explore the inspiring tales of change and resilience with Rekindled: Children’s Narratives. These powerful stories recount memories of pain, injustice, and oppression, but also highlight the transformative power of collective action towards the common good. Discover how positive change can be achieved through strength, resilience, and unity.
Enjoy the world, fight for what is right, do what you can. That is enough, and that is all.
Carolina S. Malay
Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation
A Message for the Young
Dear young people,
From a distance of 50 years (since the first President Marcos declared martial law in our country) and at the age of 82 years, I can not only say that I survived the dictatorship—but that I won against it.
Million-handedly, of course! I was one among the millions of Filipino people who helped each other fight for our rights and try to build a better country for ourselves and our children.
It was a long, violent fight against those who forcibly imposed their will against the interests of the people, monopolizing our wealth and resources…killing, torturing, and jailing those who refused to be silent and keep still.
The stories in this book remind us of the pain. Also, that much of the pain keeps coming back. And that until today there is so much injustice and oppression.
But really, when good and decent persons come together to find the common good, they are not only able to bring about change for the better: They themselves change for the better!
Through the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship, we, the generation of your parents and grandparents, became more aware of human rights, of the environment, of hidden discriminations, of international solidarity. We came from all backgrounds, regions, and spiritual beliefs to fight together.
We created something better: we created you! And you, my dearest young people, will live and learn like us. Enjoy the world, fight for what is right, do what you can. That is enough, and that is all.
Carolina S. Malay
Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation
August 7, 2022
I Was Born in Prison
By Issa Manalo Lopez
The Break of Dawn at Stonehenge, England
By Atty. Liwayway D. Arce-Rodriguez
Peace, like war, must be waged
By Maegan Ellyse I. Lacson
Political Detainees
By Nicolas C. Isberto
Pagiging Makatao ba ay Komunista?
By Dr. Sibyl Jade Pena
I Saw Him Only Once
By Joyette Jopson
Bakit Hindi Paksaing Filipino
By Silay Maria Mendiola Lumbera
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
By Laraine dela Torre
UNBOTHERED?
By Ronald Emmanuel De Vera
What Nanay Told Me
By Anto Ocampo
My Father Was Tortured
By Kris Lanot Lacaba
The Movement Raised Me
By June Taguiwalo
BANTAYOG NG MGA BAYANI FOUNDATION, INC.
Ester Ceniza-Isberto
Project Coordinator
Ma. Cristina V. Rodriguez
Project Coordinator
Ramon R. Isberto
Editor (English Stories)
Carolina Malay
Editor (Tagalog Stories) &
Vice Chairperson of Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, Inc.
DE LA SALLE-COLLEGE OF SAINT BENILDE
Center for Social Action
Project Coordinator
Artists
Cover, layout and illustrations were designed by NSTP-02 Students
Melvin Lebria
NSTP-02 Faculty
Copyright 2022 by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, Inc.
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
2544 Taft Avenue, Malate Manila, Philippines 1004
www.benilde.edu.ph
Rekindled: Children’s Narratives
ISBN 978-621-96461-2-3
