Never Ever Say Goodbye

Final Words from the Author

We are forgetting.

As much as I hate to say it, but as a people, as a country, we are forgetting the ills of our society and our government.

I rarely speak out regarding these things and like to keep myself neutral especially in politics but I couldn't deny that this issue, in general, is something I need to revisit to fully polish my conviction.

There are a lot of differing stances, different opinions I should respect, but in terms of the Era presented in this story, in terms of the abuses, the corruption, and the lives hurt and damaged, there is one opinion I wouldn't ever see eye-to-eye with.

The Marcoses are not heroes and they will never be.

Despite how they tell you that the Philippines has seen its best during the era of Martial Law, the country has also experienced its worst. I don't need to bludgeon you with facts, statistics, and scholarly research papers and articles just to prove a point.

Ask someone who lived through that time. They will tell you. Those who lived and didn't experience any hardship because of their privilege or their allegiance, they will tell you of the beauty and splendor. But go to a dark corner, to the forgotten road of bloodshed and war, they will tell you the truth.

And we are dealing with two truths here. They are but two sides of the same coin. A person's legacy is both defined by their good and bad deeds. Seemingly, it's society's job to decide which outweighs which.

Seemingly, it's our job to dictate what we want to remember people by.

As a society, therefore, we are forgetting. Through the era of carefully-cultivated methods of redeeming public image and purging the past of its horrors, these people are in the work to erase their bad deeds and with the power and wealth they have, they will eventually succeed.

But not if we don't forget.

Not if we don't let the legacy die off.

Not if we fight just to be able to say: Never Again.

I am not enticing anyone to switch their perspective but I am speaking from a place of fear and concern for my country, my people, and my future. I am scared for my future considering there are people who would rather believe the words of a conman rather than the cries of so many people who had something to say other than what they wanted to hear.

But I don't blame anyone. I don't think I ever will.

So, to close this thing off, there's so many stories out there dying to be heard. This story may be fictional, it may have just come out of my meager imagination, but I hope its message was able to reach you.

I hope with all my heart that we won't say goodbye to the memories of the people who suffered for our sake and for the freedom and democracy we enjoy today.

Never, ever, say goodbye.