Revival for Philippine protest songs from era before Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law

The bell still tolls for veterans of a period of unrest that rocked the Philippines during the first three months of 1970. Known as the First Quarter Storm (FQS), the movement mainly consisted of students and other young people enraged at government subservience to foreign powers and the looming dictatorship of then-president Ferdinand Marcos.

Two years later, Marcos would impose martial law that effectively remained in place until he was deposed in 1986 by massive demonstrations. The music produced by activists and artists in the years before Marcos’ downfall live on as a reminder of resistance to his rule.

These songs, with lyrics about liberation, genuine democracy, and an end to elite rule were not heard on radio or television. However, they reverberated through university halls, the back alleys of slum neighbourhoods and the parliament of the streets. Some of the people who took part in the resistance have recently revived the music of their youth.

Unang Sigwa, or “first storm”, is both an album of demonstration hits and a history lesson; it will be released in February to mark the 50th anniversary of the FQS. The project was made possible by the First Quarter Storm Movement (FQSM), an alumni organisation of sorts for activists, and Surian ng Sining (Analyses of Arts), a non-profit organisation for protest art.

It’s a collection of 12 tracks that were popular among activists and the youth, but performed by rebellious bands from Manila’s current music scene. The album is aimed at today’s young music fans, and project organisers hope it instils more than mere nostalgia and writes a new chapter in the story of Filipino protest music.