‘Martial Law Jokes atbp’: Humor in the face of oppression

The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos' declaration of Martial Law is typically discussed in a somber tone, with a heavy emphasis on the atrocities committed during this period. 

A new book by Dr. Crispin C. Maslog introduces humor into the conversation, showcasing comedy as a tool against oppression. Maslog compiled jokes about the Marcos regime in "Martial Law Jokes atbp: Stories I Couldn't Share Under Marcos' Dictatorship" to bring the once hidden laughter to light.

Dr Crispin Maslog talks about his new book 'Martial Law Jokes atbp' at the first Kapihan sa Bantayog #NeverAgain #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/P2h3OuVjSy

— Aya Tantiangco Miura (@ayaruim) March 23, 2017

"Martial Law Jokes atbp" by Crispin C. Maslog pic.twitter.com/Ri4Ouq2Zwl

— Aya Tantiangco Miura (@ayaruim) March 24, 2017

"Jokes are the way that people under a dictatorship express their pent up emotions. People had to find a way to vent their emotions and they did that with jokes," Maslog said during the book's launch on Thursday at the Kapihan sa Bantayog.

He added, "These jokes, if you would read them, are very anti-Marcos. It shows how people really hated Marcos."

The book is divided into two parts. The first includes humorous shorts like: "Sino ang ama ng bayan? Si Marcos! Sino ang ina ng bayan? Si Imelda? Ano ang gusto ng bayan? Maulila!"

The second half is an appendix, which includes "How Marcos Plundered the Philippine Economy" and "Human Rights Abuses Under Martial Law."

It is Maslog's hope that the jokes reach a new generation in order to combat historical revisionism. 

The book is an addition to the resurgence of literature on Martial Law, which includes Raissa Robles' "Marcos' Martial Law: Never Again" and the reprinting of Primitivo Mijares' "The Conjugal Dictatorship." — TJD, GMA News