Ever Summer

Chapter Two

The Summer of Disquiet

Circa: !970s

The so-called “First Quarter Storm “ (FQS) from January to March 1970 is the most turbulent period in the history of student activism in the Philippines. It marked a series of protest demonstrations against the government of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

This incident was triggered by a rally in late January when some student protesters booed and threw sticks and placards at Marcos while he was being escorted to his presidential car. Marcos had just delivered his State Of The Nation Address at the Congress. The violent dispersal that ensued reportedly resulted in the death of four students and injuries to several hundreds of them. Many anti-riot personnel also suffered injuries.

Outraged, students, particularly the left-leaning sectors, staged bigger rallies drawing an estimated crowd of thousands, at one time even reaching 30,000. These demonstrations often ended in chaos and anarchy as students and anti-riot police engaged in pitch battle. Truncheons and shields, tear gas and water cannon, guns as against stones, wooden clubs, Molotov cocktails, and sling shots on the part of the students. Classes were often suspended e ahead of these rallies.

Many political observers believed that the FQS was one of the factors that triggered the declaration of Martial law on 21 September 1972.

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Anti-Marcos groups mushroomed during this period, both from the moderates and the radicals not only from the academe and the student community but also from the labor, farmers and other sectors of the society. The government branded the radicals as communists , notably those based at the University of the Philippines (UP).

One of the cause-oriented groups that was very popular at that time was the “ Samahang Kamanyang”, a street theater group from the Philippine College of Commerce (now The Polytechnic University of the Philippines) Famous among its plays was “PAKIKIBAKA” (struggle)

Kamanyang’s plays showcased the miserable state of the nation and the people’s struggle against the status quo.

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Just a few weeks after the FQS, Kamanyang players were again performing on the street fronting the PCC, cheered by supporters and bystanders lining the sidewalks.

Wow, Bro look at that girl!“ She’s beautiful” Blurted Alex while lightly elbowing his best friend Gerard as he pointed a finger at one of the performers in the play. Gerard obliged uninterestedly, knowing his taste for women is much different from his friend’s.

The girl is tall. Her multi-colored native costume highlighted her slender figure and light-brown skin. Her long hair flowing as she moved in a play.

She is beautiful, but not his type, Gerard thought. All his girl friends before have been voluptuous , sexy, fair-skinned and “game”. But there was something in her that stirred a feeling he couldn’t explain. He didn’t notice that he was already staring at her when their eyes met.

He smiled at her. That irresistible “killer smile” that have captivated countless admirers from the opposite s*x. Gerard is a very attractive man. His handsome face sporting a light beard and mustache like his idol John Lennon. He looked like a model. Tall and slim in his white T-shirt and blue bell- bottomed jeans, his long hair parted in the middle.

Their eyes locked for a moment before the girl quickly looked away.

“Stand up countrymen, Rage against oppression.” The girl shouted passionately, her clench fist raised, rage written all over her face as the play ended.

“Down with imperialist America. Oust Marcos puppet regime “ MAKIBAKA, HUWAG MATAKOT!! (Fight, Don’t be afraid !) “MAKIBAKA, HUWAG MATAKOT”. Echoed the frenzied supporters. Clench fists punching in the air. They were already veterans of countless rallies and protest activities in the aftermath of the “FQS”

As the members of Kamanyang and other cause-oriented groups started to march towards nearby Malacanang (the Presidential Palace) where a bigger rally was taking place. Gerard unknowingly started walking with the group, his eyes still on the girl. But Alex held him back saying they had to go back to their university.

Gerard and Alex were not students of the PCC. They were both architecture students at the University of Sto Tomas (UST) which is just little more than a kilometer away. They just happened to be there to kill time during their vacant period.

“Bro, do you know somebody from this school” Asked Gerard on their way back to UST.

“Its that communist girl, isn’t it.?” Alex knew Gerard very well. They have been the best of friends since high school. They were like brothers since the both of them were the only child of their parents.

“I would like to meet her bro” said Gerard.

“Since when do you need a bridge to get to a girl?” Alex chided.

Gerard just looked at his friend with a sheepish grin.

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“Do know that tall guy who was staring at you. At first I thought he was staring at me.” Aida asked Soraya, as they marched towards Malacanang .

“No, why?” said Soraya.

“Nothing, I just thought he knew you by the way he was looking at you.”

“He’s Kinda cute and very attractive though. First time to see his face around too, he must be from another school ” Added Aida.

I have no time for that, come on, hurry up we are lagging behind. “ urged Soraya.

Aida and Soraya were classmates but got to be best friends since becoming dorm mates and also members of the Kamanyang.

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