- Former First Lady hears Mass dedicated to survivors of Martial Law in Baclaran church
- Homily topic around Martial Law and the People Power Revolution
- Staff member confirms Marcos did not know about the Mass’ commemoration beforehand
- Organizer hopes she learned a thing or two about the survivors’ pain
MANILA, Philippines – Now that was awkward.
On Wednesday, February 24, former First Lady Imelda Marcos unknowingly joined Martial Law survivors under one roof when she attended a Mass dedicated to the victims of her husband’s regime in Baclaran Redemptorist church.
According to the Manila Bulletin, Marcos attended the morning Mass of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and left after the service ended at 11 AM.
As shown in the photograph, the wheelchair bound Marcos sat in front of the altar. Behind her were several Martial Law victims, activists, and members of church groups who opposed her late husband’s rule.
Later on, a parish staff member confirmed that Marcos did not know that the Mass was dedicated to Martial Law survivors or that the topic of the homily dwelled on her husband’s dictatorship and the resulting People Power Revolution.
“Our parish priest has always talked about human rights issues,” she said; referring to Fr. Teody Holgado who gave the homily.
She added the Redemptorists also suffered the loss of one its priests, Fr. Rudy Romano, who was abducted by the military in Cebu in 1985 and has never been heard of since.
Marcos’ attendance was also confirmed by the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) secretary general Nardy Sabino who said they were hopeful the former First Lady was able to realize the pain of those who suffered or who lost loved ones during Martial Law.
“She was able to hear the testimony of a torture victim during Martial Law. The homily of the priest was also about Martial Law and the importance of EDSA,” he said. “I hope she realized that many lost a father, a mother, child during those days and that many suffered.”
“Our purpose is really to remind people and make them understand the violence during Martial Law, how human life and dignity were set aside,” he added.
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