If what happened hadn’t happened, where would we be
New(ish) from Anvil Publishing: Cory: An Intimate Portrait, a collection of first-hand accounts by the people who knew and worked with President Aquino, edited by Margie Penson Juico. The writers include former occupants of the Premier Guest House where Mrs. Aquino held office, cabinet secretaries, heads of government agencies, members of the legislature, local government officials, ambassadors, soldiers, the religious, representatives of NGOs and charitable organizations, and friends.
Cory: An Intimate Portrait, is now available at all National Bookstores.
You can win one of five copies of this book in our Alternate History Challenge.
The premise: What if Cory Aquino had gone back to Boston?
What if, after her husband’s funeral, Tita Cory had returned to her comfortable old life? What if she never entered politics?
What would the Philippines be like today?
We will accept your answers in all literary forms (sonnets, screenplays, stories, literary essays, fake news reports etc), genres (science-fiction, horror, comedy), and media (including video, just send us the link).
Submit your entries by 10 September 2009. (I find that the less time people have, the less they can overthink their entry and the more interesting the result.)
You retain all rights to your work, but do acknowledge where the idea came from. My blog post on Nexus’s 100 percent voter registration program was picked up by a major daily—never mind that the source was not acknowledged, as we are used to that, but the information printed was erroneous. I thought print journalists were supposed to have more rigorous standards than bloggers, or at least better fact-checkers.
Readers who join this competition are automatically invited to the Good Ideas forum.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
August 27th, 2009 at 14:56
I’m not joining, no just yet. But this is just to signify that I have plans, but I’m still working on having my assistant finish it, I mean, do some research for me.
August 27th, 2009 at 15:50
Will we post our work into the comments field, or will we send it via e-mail attachment?
August 27th, 2009 at 20:32
Off topic. Sorry but, is it just me, or does that cat really look like Hitler?
August 28th, 2009 at 03:45
1. Martyr’s Widow Nixes Politics,Will Emigrate to US With Family
September 5, 1983–Five days after burying Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., his widow, Mrs. Corazon Aquino has declared that she will permanently settle in Newton Massachussetts, USA with her five children.
Mr. Aquino,a senator from 1967 up to the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 was brutally killed last Aug.21 upon stepping out of a plane in Manila International Airport, a murder that strongman Pres. Ferdinand Marcos blamed squarely on “communist” elements out to destabilize his one man rule. Aquino was shot in the head at close range by a man identified by the military as Rolando Galman. Aquino was being escorted by military personnel, and was about to board a military van when he was shot. Galman was also killed by the military. Aquino was returning to the Philippines after three years of self-exile and a heart bypass operation in the US in 1980. In 1977 he was declared guilty of murder,subversion and illegal possession of firearms by a military tribunal,and was sentenced to die by musketry. Mr. Marcos has delayed the execution due to pressure from US Pres. Jimmy Carter as well as international human rights groups
“We’re done with it,we have buried him. Now leave us in peace,” declared Mrs. Aquino, as she faced the media for the first time after the funeral. “We’re selling our house and all our assets if that would make the dictator happy. All I want now is prayers for me and my children,” the soft spoken Mrs. Aquino said. Asked of her future plans, Mrs. Aquino said,”We have been living in Boston for the past three years. Ninoy was allowed to stay in the US indefinitely, but he believed he had to return to his own country and face what he called a tyrant’s revenge. But they killed my husband. Now I intend to go back to Boston and live in peace.”
Mr. Aquino’s funeral turned out to be huge–foreign press covering the ten hour funeral were awed by the great number of crowds who gathered to join the march. Aquino,all bloodied and face disfigured by a bullet hole and unexplained multiple bruises, was put in a simple brown casket draped with the Philippine flag. His casket was then paraded aboard a flat bed truck showered by yellow flowers and confettis,amidst angry and vigilant chants from the populace,before being interred in a private memorial park in Paranaque.
Aquino was popularly known as the chief opposition candidate who can rival Mr. Marcos in the forthcoming 1984 presidential elections. Mr. Marcos has called for the creation of an investigative body that will probe the Aquino murder,but many are convinced that Mr. Marcos himself is to blame for the murder.
September 21,1984
FM Names Virata,Imelda as Co-PM
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos has appointed First Lady Imelda Marcos and Cesar Virata as Co-Prime Ministers in the Philippine parliamentary government. Marcos made the announcement as he celebrated the 12th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law today, which he called the “advent of the New Society for a Greater Nation”. Mrs. Marcos’ and Virata’s appointment was made official after Mr. Marcos signed Proclamation no.1184 in Malacanang today. With this proclamation,the general elections slated for November has been suspended.
Mrs. Marcos is current governor of Metro Manila while Virata served as Finance Minister for the past ten years.
“I feel so honored by this appointment. The president knows that serving the nation is in my heart,” Mrs. Marcos told reporters.
Later in the day, the president laughed off concerns about his alleged failing health. “I challenge those rumor mongers from the opposition to a 12 round boxing match. We’ll see who is sick,” Mr. Marcos declared while playing a round of golf with US ambassador Stephen Bosworth at the Villamor Country Club.
The president also belittled the opposition party’s capability to launch a successful campaign against the administration,amidst rumors that they have the support and sympathy of the populace following the assassination of Sen Benigno Aquino Jr. last year.
“They never learn. Who will run for them? The widow has fled back to the US, and rightly so. The opposition is leaderless, they are broke and in a sorry state. Can you imagine some fools floating the idea to make the widow run against me?” Mr. Marcos added with a chuckle. He further added,”Our commitment is to lead this country to greater heights never been achieved before by any president. We started that in 1972. We’re still on a nation-building time frame. As I promised in ’65, this nation will become great again. We’re not through yet-this is just the beginning. And the way things are going, we’ll be talking about it in 1989″ the President finished.
PALACE BARES REBELLION PLOT
May 7 1985
Malacanang today called for a press conference to announce that it has unmasked a military takover conspiracy which aims to topple President Marcos’ administration
Appearing at the Maharlika hall in full battle fatigues,Pres Marcos named the conspirators as members of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement or RAM,allegedly headed by one Col. Gregorio Honasan.
“I have ordered their arrest. We will not tolerate such irresponsible behavior in the ranks,” Mr. Marcos said. The president was joined in the press conference by AFP Chief of Staff Gen Fabian Ver.
“We have identified the traitors. We don’t know what their goal is but we know how to deal with them,” declared Ver.
Unconfirmed reports say that Defense Min. Juan Ponce Enrile is involved in the rebellion,along with PC INP Chief Gen. Fidel Ramos. “We’re still verifying that. So far they haven’t returned our calls” Said Gen. Ver.
Malacanang Palace is now surrounded by armored personnel carriers and members of the Presidential guards. Barbed wire barricades and metal fences were hastily set up along Mendiola early dawn today. There are reports of sporadic gunfires along Santa Mesa and Recto streets.
All vehicles are barred from entering Nagtahan and JP Laurel Streets.
NEXT HEADLINES:
FM ORDERS SIEGE OF CAMPS AGUINALDO,CRAME; HUNDREDS OF CIVILIANS FEARED DEAD IN PRE-DAWN HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS AND TANK ATTACKS
REBEL CHOPPERS,PLANES BOMB PALACE;FM,FAMILY’S FATE UNCERTAIN;DAMAGE EXTENSIVE
US ASKS MARCOS:STOP BLOODSHED IN MANILA
ENRILE CAPTURED;RAMOS SURRENDERS;HONASAN ESCAPES
RIOTS,CARNAGE,LOOTING ERUPT IN MMLA
FM DECLARES MARTIAL LAW FOR 2ND TIME
VER:KILL THE BASTARDS!
CARDINAL SIN:OH MY GOD,WHAT HAPPENED TO US!
WASHINGTON POST: MAYHEM IN MANILA–IS MARCOS DEAD?
US CARRIER FLEETS ON ALERT IN SUBIC BAY;TROOPS,PLANES ON READY
TIME MAGAZINE:CIVIL WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES
Thank you,Cory Aquino for running against Marcos in 1985.
August 30th, 2009 at 07:34
21 things
Assume..imagine
1. PTV4’s Pangarap Kong Jackpot, directed by Carlo J. Caparas, would kill in the ratings because ABS-CBN and GMA were both sequestered by the Marcoses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1yXqxHjqM0
2. Philippines will have nuclear power; Juan Ponce Enrile can no longer solicit extra senatorial votes from “dagdag singil sa kuryente†gimmick he uses during election campaigns.
3. Jeep ni Mayor Erap binangga pedicab ni Mar Roxas III. Sinabi ng forever mayor ng San Juan, “Anak, itabi mo, ako na!†http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUqw7j6_hZA
4. Danding Cojuanco is Philippines’ richest; real estate developer Plaza Luisita plans to build biggest mall in the whole world. http://www.charleskeng.com/images-baguio/luisita2123s.JPG
5. FM catches Teenage Mutant Ninja Turles on television once and periodically reminds Imelda to turn him into Krang when his body becomes weak. http://missfairchild.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/krang.jpg
6. If you say one bad word about the government, PNP chief Ping Lacson will knock on your door at midnight and insert his silencer-equiped gun inside your nostrils.
7. Beatles went back to Philippines to perform again, this time bringing with them Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as bodyguards.
8. Inspired by China’s one child policy, FM signed a law to ban all silent “h†on given names; parents will be sent to jail for violating this policy.
9. Miriam Defensor-Santiago became Marcos’ speech writer; FM had to pause because of too many polysyllabic words in his press statement. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F1k24ylW5U
10. Bingbong Crisologo, instead of Chavit Singson, of Ilocos Sur stupidly goes up to the ring every time Manny Pacquiao wins a boxing match. http://www.flickr.com/photos/24688880@N00/3868196857/
11. Wicked the Musical, full production and original cast will be shown in the Cultural Center of the Philippines made possible by Imeldific Productions.
12. Lito Lapid stars in a movie No Read No Write, FM lauds Lapid for convincing portrayal then asks him to shoot Ogag immediately. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iiyiwIyLKQ
13. FM lifts curfew so grandson Borgy Manotoc can parteeeeyyyy all night long.
14. Imelda dreaded his Ferdie will look like Boy Abunda with Manny Calayan but she believes Vicky Belo will make him look like Dingdong Dantes and Piolo Pascual. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7La319zJDfk
15. Manny Villar is still petiks, conyo, taga-Tondo, trapo and walang natulungan because he has no political connections; too bad he can not even do an insertion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GpczPSD9CE&feature=PlayList&p=D4C4153FC5FC66C9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1
16. In a recent snap election, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Jesus is Lord failed to collect 5 million votes; in fact, a quick count proves that Imelda had more shoes than Villanueva’s votes.
17. FM really enjoyed Willie Revillame’s “alisin n’yo ‘yan, nagsasaya kami rito†drama during a segment of hit noontime show Wowowee. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG-3leheZpg
18. Imelda will challenge Dionisia Pacquiao to a ballroom dance-off on live television to be judged thru fan texts; the Marcoses will manipulate the counting system and win via landslide. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY–eaQD2wY
19. Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of economically developed province of Leyte will wine and dine the Marcos entourage at Le Cirque in New York; smorgasbord, $50,000; nepotism, priceless.
20. Vanity-conscious Imelda secretly went to the Asian Hospital for self-quarantine immediately after this photo was taken during which FM whispered, “Ay apow, kapos-palad.†http://www.fashion-lifestyle.net/images/broi3/2_Imelda-Marcos-and-Ferdina.jpg
21. Kris who?
August 30th, 2009 at 12:42
I posted my entry on my weblog. My grandmother is a hardcore Imelda loyalist (NO! GOD I AM NOT!). She said that the Philippines was actually prosperous during the earlier part of the Martial Law. We live near the PICC so I actually want to believe her on that part.
This is the link: http://makdleech.wordpress.com/the-words-of-our-lives/the-imelda-marcos-memoir/
September 5th, 2009 at 03:17
“Yellow People”
Everyone gets by and we’d eventually become accustomed to a relentless pain worthy of an Albert Camus story. Without Cory, we’d stay yellow. But the other kind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1o6u4LML6U
Duration: 1:19
Inspiration: Francis X. Pasion’s Jay, Holden Caulfield’s description of yellow, Lino Brocka’s Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang.
September 10th, 2009 at 23:24
BOSO!
Intrigerong Totoo!
Original Tabloid design, name, articles by me.
Tabloid design inspired/based on Taliba.
Pictures taken from all over the net except those I personally photoshopped (they’re indicated.)
*YES I RUN OUT OF TIME. I was too busy to complete this. The 2nd and 3rd pages have lots of blank spaces where articles should be but are just well… blank. BUt then, the headline can speak for itself.*
Basic Premises:
Republika ng Maharlika established 1986;
Romualdez City is new name of Tacloban
Marcos new name for Ilocos Norte.
FM buried in Luneta Park.
Imee governor of Manila, BongBong governor of Marcos/ Ilocos Norte and Madame is President.
That’s about it. Lol. *ugh yes its a bit cliche*
The tabloid can be seen in this photobucket album http://s734.photobucket.com/albums/ww342/Qasdan/Boso/
Cover Page: http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww342/Qasdan/Boso/MarcosTabloidcopy.jpg
2nd Page: http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww342/Qasdan/Boso/2ndpagecopy.jpg
3rd Page: http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww342/Qasdan/Boso/3rdpagecopy.jpg
I think there are some disparities between the cover page and the rest but hey… I wanna make it by the deadline (in 30 minutes) :P so sorry for any disparities. and thank you to goodtimesmanila for being a crazy inspiration. lol.