READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY - FIRST QUARTER STORM (BS - PSYCH)

Summary

The First Quarter Storm of 1970 was a period of intense protests and activism in the Philippines, driven by growing discontent with President Ferdinand Marcos' government. From January to March 1970, student leaders and workers, particularly from the University of the Philippines, led demonstrations against corruption, economic crisis, and political repression. The movement was marked by violence, clashes with the military, and widespread calls for national reform. It sparked radical change and laid the foundation for future resistance against Marcos' regime, profoundly impacting Filipino society and politics.

Takeaways

• 😀 The First Quarter Storm (FQS) was a period of intense activism in the Philippines from January to March 1970, marked by protests and demonstrations against President Ferdinand Marcos' government.
• 😀 The FQS was a culmination of years of rising student activism, particularly from the 1960s, influenced by global movements and growing discontent with political corruption and poverty in the Philippines.
• 😀 Student leaders from the University of the Philippines and other universities played a significant role in organizing protests, which were often met with violent repression by the government.
• 😀 The movement sought to address issues like poverty, corruption, U.S. imperialism, and the call for systemic political and economic reforms in the Philippines.
• 😀 The protests began in January 1970, with students throwing symbolic items like a cardboard coffin and a paper mache crocodile at Marcos during his address to Congress.
• 😀 Key events of the FQS included the January 30, 1970, protest, where demonstrators hijacked a fire truck and set fire to cars in front of Malacañang, leading to clashes with the police and military.
• 😀 The February 12, 1970, rally organized by the Movement for a Democratic Philippines (MDP) saw 50,000 strong protests, while other groups continued pushing for broader social and political change.
• 😀 Protests often involved throwing stones, bricks, and Molotov cocktails, with students and workers protesting together for better social conditions and against Marcos' rule.
• 😀 The First Quarter Storm led to widespread repression, including police raids on universities and the arrest and torture of students and activists.
• 😀 The FQS marked a pivotal moment in Philippine history, highlighting the deep divisions in society and setting the stage for the Martial Law era, which was declared by Marcos in 1972.

Q & A

What was the First Quarter Storm (FQS)?

The First Quarter Storm was a period of intense activism, protests, and demonstrations in the Philippines from January to March 1970, primarily led by students, workers, and leftist groups in opposition to President Ferdinand Marcos' government.

What were the key causes of the First Quarter Storm?

The key causes included widespread poverty, corruption, U.S. imperialism, and the attempt by President Marcos to amend the Philippine constitution to extend his rule. These issues sparked mass mobilization and protests.

How did the protests during the First Quarter Storm begin?

The protests began after President Marcos delivered his State of the Nation Address on January 26, 1970, and were led by student leaders from the University of the Philippines, drawing inspiration from global student movements.

What role did the University of the Philippines (UP) play in the First Quarter Storm?

UP was at the forefront of the protests, with many student leaders and activists from the university organizing and participating in the demonstrations. The university became a hub for the radicalized student movement.

What were the main tactics used by protesters during the First Quarter Storm?

Protesters used a variety of tactics including marches, demonstrations, the throwing of symbolic objects (such as cardboard coffins and paper mache crocodiles), and clashes with security forces involving stones, bricks, and barricades.

What happened during the January 30, 1970 protest?

On January 30, 1970, a large group of protesters hijacked a fire truck and set fire to a car in front of Malacañang Palace, forcing additional security measures. Violent clashes with police and military forces followed.

Why did the First Quarter Storm escalate into violent confrontations?

The protests escalated due to heavy repression from the military and police forces, who used tear gas, water cannons, and gunshots against the demonstrators. The growing discontent over Marcos' governance also fueled more intense actions.

What was the significance of the February 12, 1970 rally?

The February 12 rally, organized by the Movement for a Democratic Philippines (MDP), attracted 50,000 protesters. It marked a critical point where student leaders reached some concessions, while other radical groups continued to push for more militant actions.

How did the First Quarter Storm contribute to the radicalization of Filipino youth?

The First Quarter Storm significantly radicalized many young Filipinos, especially students, as they were exposed to revolutionary ideologies, including Marxism and nationalism. Many students later joined leftist groups or guerrilla movements.

What was the role of the U.S. in the First Quarter Storm?

The U.S. was seen as a symbol of imperialism during the First Quarter Storm, with protesters accusing Marcos of maintaining U.S. imperialist policies in the Philippines. The U.S. embassy was targeted during several protests.