5 Books Defying Historical Distortion
We listed down 5 books you must read to learn about the 1986 revolution and to fight against any forms of historical distortion.
Words Yra Luis Gener Gutierrez
Photos courtesy of Anvil Publishing House, Ateneo University Press, Everything’s Fine,
& Goodreads
March 6, 2025
Currently, circulating stories that fill around communities are often based on what algorithm feeds to people. Such content is being used to corrupt the information ecosystem–distorting the truth and the realities of the past.
As Filipinos commemorate the 1986 EDSA Revolution, we also remember how the Filipino people filled the stretch of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) to struggle for democracy by overthrowing the dictatorship of the Marcos regime.
With this, we listed some books that intend to remind their readers of the truth while exposing the real events. These pieces serve as a vehicle to look back on the roots and true causes of the EDSA People Power:
Edsa Uno
Initially published in 2013, ‘EDSA Uno’ was now revised and republished by Everything’s Fine author Angela Stuart-Santiago.
To tailor the narratives about the turbulent times of the country, the author used documents acquired from other resources such as books from Nick Joaquin and Ninotchka Rosca, news written by the Mosquito Press, and official interviews with former President Fidel V. Ramos.
Days Of Disquiet, Nights Of Rage: The First Quarter Storm And Related Events
Uniquely, Lacaba’s harrowing description of the tumultuous period in the country is written as an eyewitness; the presence of reflexivity and emotions are inscribed in this book.
Published in 1982, it documents the incidents in Manila and the violent attacks by the police on students, activists, workers, and militant groups. The raw narration of Lacaba in the Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage, allows the readers to experience the distress of martial law vicariously through his accounts.
The Quartet Of The Tiger Moon: Scenes From The People Power Apocalypse
‘The Quartet of the Tiger Moon’ was written by National Artist Nick Joaquin. It is a non-fiction novel and written like a time-capsule write-up offering a glimpse of before, during, and after the EDSA People Power Revolution.
The book also includes the conscious experiences of Filipinos under the dictatorship of Marcos Sr., what and how it was to be liberated from authoritarianism, and what the current generation can learn from it.
The Collaborators
Published in 2022, this historical novel follows three generations of the Armando family and its main character Carlos Armando, a bureaucrat in the martial law government. It explores the themes of complicity and collaboration for survival, status, and power. It presents how choices made by an individual, although mostly in the form of negotiating their situation and position in the world, can have a tremendous impact on society.
People Power: An Eyewitness History
‘People Power: An Eyewitness History’ was published in 1986. It was written from the point of view of an observer on the frontline of the EDSA People Power revolution.
It is composed of 247 photographs taken by amateurs, accompanied by stories that chronologically record the redemption of democracy in the country. As edited by Monina A. Mercado, this book offers a peek at Filipino people’s unity and willingness to refuse the dictatorship.
These books recorded the vivid truth during the darkest periods in Philippine history. It tells not the story of the government but the sacrifice and courage of Filipinos who chose to stand and voice out their grievances against the government–it is to remember the once unity that Filipinos have.
