Constructing Counterpublics: Gen Z Students Reclaim Martial Law Memory through DYUP Sugbo

48# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester Article(( Constructing+Counterpublics:+Gen+Z+Students+Reclaim+Martial+Law+ Memory+through+DYUP+Sugbo++ Maurice(Jitty(Villaester( University(of(the(Philippines(Cebu,(Philippines( ( Abstract:)In(the(Philippines,(renewed(debates(over(Martial(Law( memory( unfold( in( an( information( landscape( shaped( by( algorithmic( distortion,( historical( revisionism,( and( generational( divides.( As( youth( increasingly( turn( to( digital( and( peer-driven( sources(of(information,(the(question(of(how(Generation(Z(engages( with(the(legacy(of(Martial(Law(becomes(pressing,(particularly(in( academic(and(civic(contexts.(This(study(investigates(how(a(cohort( of( UP( Cebu( students( enrolled( in( the( general( education( course( Wika,& Panitikan,& at& Lipunan& sa& Ilalim& ng& Batas& Militar( (PS( 21)( conceptualize(and(communicate(narratives(about(Martial(Law(to( their(peers(through(campus(radio.(It(focuses(on(the(production(of( Batbat,(a(ten-episode(student-led(radio(program(aired(via(DYUP( Sugbo,(which(sought(to(translate(historical(truths(into(accessible( and(resonant(formats(for(Gen(Z(listeners.(Using(reflexive(thematic( analysis( of( asynchronous( interviews( with( 34( students( and( grounded(in(counterpublic(theory,(the(study(explores(how(student( broadcasters( frame( alternative( historical( narratives( and( address( challenges( in( engaging( with( a( skeptical( or( digitally( distracted( audience.(Cultural(memory(and(civic(media(frameworks(inform( the(broader(analytical(lens.(Findings(reveal(that(students(moved( from(inherited(“Golden(Age”(myths(to(a(more(critical,(evidencebased( understanding( of( Martial( Law.( They( utilized( storytelling,( humor,( interactivity,( and( peer-oriented( language( to( overcome( disinformation,( emotional( resistance,( and( intergenerational( tension.(DYUP(Sugbo(functioned(as(a(youth-driven(counterpublic( where(historical(memory(became(an(act(of(civic(participation.(The( study(affirms(the(value(of(integrating(creative(media(production( into(history(education(to(resist(distortion(and(foster(democratic( memory.( ( ( Keywords:(Martial(Law((Philippines),(Generation(Z,(media(literacy,(historical(distortion,( disinformation,(campus(radio( 49# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester Introduction)) ( As( debates( over( historical( memory( intensify( in( both( physical( and( digital( spaces,( questions( about( how( the( youth( engage( with( the( legacy( of( Martial( Law( have( taken( on( renewed(urgency.(Within(the(university,(students(find(themselves(navigating(a(fractured( information(landscape,(where(inherited(myths,(algorithmic(distortions,(and(institutional( silences(often(intersect.( ( This( study( turns( to( a( particular( site( of( youth( meaning-making:( a( campus( radio( project(created(by(students(at(the(University(of(the(Philippines(Cebu.(Through(this(media( initiative,(students(explore(how(to(make(Martial(Law(legible(to(their(generation,(not(simply( by(recounting(facts(but(by(translating(difficult(histories(into(narratives(that(resonate.(Before( turning(to(their(strategies(and(reflections,(the(paper(first(situates(the(political(resurgence( of( the( Marcos( family,( the( changing( role( of( Generation( Z( in( civic( discourse,( and( the( institutional(context(of(the(Wika,(Panitikan,(at(Lipunan(sa(Ilalim(ng(Batas(Militar(or(PS(21( course.( ( ( The)Marcoses)in)Philippine)Politics)) ) Almost( forty( years( after( the( dictatorship( of( then-Philippine( president( Ferdinand( Marcos(Sr.(was(toppled,(even(though(he(has(long(passed,(his(political(dynasty(has(continued( to(thrive(in(the(country.(Many(members(of(his(family(have(been(elected(to(key(roles(in(the( government,(including(his(son(Ferdinand(“Bongbong”(Marcos(Jr.,(who(became(the(second( presidential(candidate(to(be(elected(by(a(majority(since(the(inception(of(the(Philippine( Republic((Vera(Files(2023).( ( It(is(worth(noting(that(their(rise(to(power(and(prominence(in(the(mainstream(has( never(been(about(luck(at(all.(A(whistleblower(in(2020(revealed(that(the(Marcoses(had(spent( millions(of(dollars(to(revamp(their(image(and(fix(their(reputation(through(social(media(with( the( help( of( the( British( political( consulting( firm( Cambridge( Analytica( (ABS-CBN( News( 2020).( By( microtargeting( social( media( users( with( content( that( is( positive( toward( the( Marcoses,(they(have,(brick(by(brick,(changed(more(and(more(Filipinos’(perceptions(of(the( Marcoses( over( the( past( few( years.( Because( of( this,( there( has( been( a( resurgence( of( disinformation( tactics( that( aim( to( make( people( forget( about( the( atrocities( committed( during(the(Marcos(patriarch’s(presidency((Ong(and(Tapsell(2022).( ( For( example,( in( recent( years,( more( and( more( social( media( videos( have( been( produced( on( various( platforms( like( Facebook( (Ong( and( Lanuza( 2024)( and( YouTube( (Talamayan(and(Candelaria(2025),(claiming(that(the(Marcos(dictatorship(was(a(“golden(era”( for(the(Philippine(economy,(where(many(Filipinos(were(prosperous(and(abundant.(This(is( contrary(to(the(reality,(where(many(were(struggling(to(make(ends(meet(or(were(hungry( 50# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester (Dios( et( al.( 2021;( Hill( 1982),( or( worse,( dead( due( to( the( human( rights( violations( they( experienced((Talamayan(2021;(Sales(2021).( ( ( Gen)Zs:)The)Newest)Addition)to)the)Philippine)Electorate) ( There(has(been(a(glimmer(of(hope(on(the(horizon.(Three(years(after(the(start(of(the( Marcos(Jr.(presidency,(there(seem(to(be(cracks(in(his(influence(on(the(electorate.(Generation( Z,(also(referred(to(as(the(Centennials,(Internet(Generation,(iGen,(or(Post-Millennials(by( some( academics,( now( makes( up( the( largest( portion( of( the( Philippine( population.( Descendants( of( Millennial( and( Gen( X( parents,( they( were( born( between( 1995( and( 2010( (Seemiller(and(Grace( 2016).(They(often( describe(themselves( as(trustworthy,( thoughtful,( kind,( open-minded,( and( accountable( (Javate( 2018),( yet( members( of( older( generations( frequently(misrepresent(them,(labeling(them(as(lazy(and(overly(dependent(on(technology( (Seemiller(and(Grace(2016).( ( As(more(and(more(Millennial(and(Gen(Z(voters(gain(the(right(to(vote,(they(have( gradually(demonstrated(their(power(in(choosing(the(leaders(who(will(serve(in(government.( Since( they( made( up( the( majority( of( voters( in( the( 2025( elections( (Mateo( 2025),( they( undoubtedly(have(significant(influence(over(election(outcome,(especially(in(the(upcoming( 2028( presidential( election,( which( could( be( the( make-or-break( moment( for( Philippine( democracy.(( ( ( The)Wika,)Panitikan,)at)Lipunan)sa)Ilalim)ng)Batas)Militar)(PS)21))Course) ( In(2019,(a(new(course(titled(Wika,&Panitikan,&at&Lipunan&sa&Ilalim&ng&Batas&Militar( (Language,(Literature,(and(Society(Under(Martial(Law)(was(first(offered(at(the(University( of(the(Philippines(Diliman(as(a(general(education(elective.(Its(main(objective(is(to(educate( students(about(the(truths(surrounding(Martial(Law((Mateo(2019).(It(is(a(three-unit(course( offered(by(the(Departamento(ng(Filipino(at(Panitikan(ng(Pilipinas.( ( A( year( after( it( was( first( introduced( in( UP( Diliman,( Communication( program( associate( professor( Dr.( Marie( Rose( Arong( brought( the( course( to( the( University( of( the( Philippines( (UP)( Cebu( during( the( second( semester( of( academic( year( 2020–2021( (Arong( 2022).( According( to( Arong( (2022),( it( was( crucial( to( bring( the( course( to( this( specific( constituent( unit( because( many( “students( (most( Filipinos( really)( see( Martial( Law( as( a( disconnected(moment(in(history,(similar(to(our(revolutions(during(the(colonial(period.(The( distance(of(time,(perhaps,(has(benefits,(but(one(drawback(is(that(the(human(element(of( remembering(gets(lost.(This(GE,(PS(21,(hopes(to(trace(that(loss(and(create(a(sort(of(map(to( this(concealed(fissure(in(our(nation’s(story.”( ( 51# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester First( taught( at( UP( Cebu( at( the( height( of( the( pandemic,( the( course( was( offered( remotely(to(mostly(Communication(students(who(were(interested(in(learning(the(truth( about(Martial(Law(in(the(country.(It(is(also(worth(noting(that(these(students(may(have(a( particularly(deep(connection(with(the(course,(as(the(press(was(one(of(the(institutions(stifled( during(the(Marcos(dictatorship((Rosenberg(1974;(Lent(1974).(Students(have(the(opportunity( to(study(historical(events(to(equip(themselves(with(the(knowledge(necessary(to(understand( what(transpired(during(those(periods.(By(engaging(in(this(examination(of(the(past,(they(can( develop(a(more(informed(perspective(on(historical(developments.( ( Since(its(first(offering(in(UP(Cebu,(there(have(been(changes(in(the(course(delivery.( With(mobility(restrictions(now(lifted,(students(are(back(on(campus(for(face-to-face(classes.( Additionally,( more( students( from( other( programs,( such( as( Political( Science,( Statistics,( Biology,(Computer(Science,(Psychology,(and(Fine(Arts,(have(enrolled(in(the(course.(With( this,(it(cannot(be(denied(that(the(topics(covered(in(this(course(are(beneficial(in(ensuring( students( are( equipped( with( the( knowledge( to( combat( disinformation( and( historical( distortion(surrounding(Marcos’(Martial(Law.( ( ( The)Batbat)Radio)Program)( ( The(Batbat(radio(program(was(conceptualized(by(students(enrolled(in(the(PS(21(class( during(the(first(semester(of(academic(year(2024–2025(as(part(of(their(final(requirements.( One(of(the(goals(of(the(Batbat(radio(program(is(to(reach(as(many(people(as(possible(so(they( can(pass(on(their(knowledge(about(Martial(Law.(The(radio(program(was(first(aired(on(DYUP( Sugbo,( the( official( campus( radio( of( UP( Cebu,( on( September( 20,( 2024( (Villaester( 2025),( through( both( on-campus( broadcast( and( online( streaming( via( popular( platforms( like( YouTube(and(Spotify.(It(concluded(its(10-episode(season(on(November(29,(2024.( ( Produced(mostly(by(senior(Communication(students(and(junior(Statistics(students,( the(program(featured(the(following(episodes:( ● Understanding(Martial(Law:(Historical(Context(and(Reasons( ● The(Propaganda(Machine:(Language(and(Imagery(of(the(New(Society( ● Media(Under(Siege:(Press(Freedom(and(Censorship( ● Voices(of(Resistance:(Literature(and(Art(as(Forms(of(Protest( ● The(Role(of(Education:(Curriculum(Changes(and(Indoctrination( ● Grassroots(Movements:(The(People's(Struggle(Against(Oppression( ● Personal(Narratives:(Stories(from(the(Martial(Law(Era( ● Martial(Law(and(Human(Rights:(Violations(and(Aftermath( ● Lessons(from(Martial(Law:(Reflecting(on(Democratic(Values(and(Governance( ● The(Continuing(Narrative:(Martial(Law's(Legacy(in(Contemporary(Society( ( 52# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester Each(episode(featured(at(least(two(Bachelor(of(Arts(in(Communication(students(and( two(Bachelor(of(Science(in(Statistics(students.(The(students(were(given(the(liberty(to(create( the(structure(of(each(30-minute(episode(and(to(develop(their(own(brand(for(the(program,( including(the(program(intro(and(extro,(as(well(as(a(public(service(announcement.(They(also( had(the(freedom(to(tweak(the(flow(of(each(episode.(For(example,(some(groups(invited(guest( speakers(to(share(their(stories,(while(others(incorporated(games(to(make(the(program(more( engaging.( ( ( Counterpublics,)DYUP)Sugbo,)and)the)Gen)Z) ( Building(on(the( practices(observed( in(Batbat,( this(study( draws(on(counterpublic( theory(as(articulated(by(Fraser((1990)(and(expanded(by(Warner((2010)(to(examine(how(Gen( Z( student( broadcasters( at( UP( Cebu( construct( alternative( narratives( of( national( history( through(DYUP(Sugbo.(Counterpublics(are(communicative(arenas(that(emerge(in(response( to(exclusion(from(dominant(public(spheres.(They(enable(marginalized(voices(to(articulate( oppositional(worldviews(that(contest(hegemonic(narratives.( ( DYUP(Sugbo(functions(as(a(youth-driven(counterpublic.(In(a(context(where(Martial( Law(memory(has(been(distorted(by(textbook(censorship(and(state-sponsored(revisionism( (Pangalangan(et(al.(2018;(Lizada(2025),(student(broadcasters(reclaim(suppressed(narratives( through(dramatization,(emotional(storytelling,(and(editorial(framing.( These(acts( reflect( what(Fraser(describes(as(“parallel(discourse,”(confronting(sanitized(portrayals(of(the(Marcos( regime(and(centering(victim(testimonies.( ( Gen(Z’s(role(is(pivotal.(As(digital(natives(born(between(1995(and(2010((Seemiller(&( Grace(2016),(they(shape(this(counterpublic(using(memes,(peer-based(language,(and(hybrid( storytelling.( Despite( generational( stereotypes( (Javate( 2018),( Gen( Z( is( emerging( as( a( politically( engaged( cohort.( Their( cultural( fluency( enables( them( to( translate( historical( memory(into(accessible(formats,(especially(for(their(peers.( ( DYUP(Sugbo(is(not(simply(a(media(outlet(but(a(generational(counterpublic.(Students( do(not(just(participate(in(oppositional(discourse,(they(create(it.(Their(work(constitutes(civic( and( ideological( labor,( narrating( Martial( Law( as( historical( warning( and( truth-telling( as( responsibility.( ( This(study(also(draws(from(cultural(memory((Assmann(and(Czaplicka(1995)(and(civic( media( frameworks( (Jenkins( et( al.( 2016),( but( counterpublic( theory( remains( central( to( understanding( how( student-led( media( acts( as( a( form( of( historical( resistance( and( democratic(agency.( ( ( 53# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester The)Research)Questions) ( It(is(established(in(this(paper(that(the(majority(of(the(voting(electorate(in(the(last( elections(were(part(of(the(Millennial(and(Gen(Z(generations((GMA(Integrated(News(2025).( Therefore,( it( is( crucial( to( highlight( how( important( their( voice( is( now( more( than( ever.( Although(it(is(worth(recognizing(that(they(have(elected(more(progressive(voices(to(key( positions(in(recent(elections,(many(conservatives(and(public(officials(who(backed(Marcos( have(also(secured(important(roles(in(institutions(such(as(the(Senate(and(Congress.(This( voting(bloc(is(not(a(monolith.( ( This(is(where(the(PS(21(students(come(in.(As(members(of(Gen(Z(themselves,(they( bring(insights(into(the(perspectives,(preferences,(and(media(habits(of(their(generational( peers,(particularly(within(the(context(of(the(UP(Cebu(student(community.(While(they(may( not(represent(the(entire(Gen(Z(population(in(the(Philippines,(their(lived(experiences(as(UP( students(offer(valuable,(localized(understanding(of(how(to(craft(messages(that(resonate( with( their( immediate( audience.( As( they( produce( the( radio( program( on( Martial( Law,( it( becomes(essential(for(them(to(consider(how(to(engage(fellow(Gen(Z(listeners(meaningfully( and(responsibly(through(content(that(is(relevant,(compelling,(and(grounded(in(historical( truth.( ( With(this,(the(paper(aims(to(answer(the(following(questions:( 1.( How( do( Gen( Z( students( conceptualize( and( frame( the( narrative( of( Philippine( Martial(Law(when(communicating(to(their(peers(through(campus(radio?( 2.(What(challenges(do(Gen(Z(students(face(in(communicating(the(complexities(of( Philippine( Martial( Law( to( their( peers( through( campus( radio,( and( how( do( they( address(these(challenges?( ( ( Methodology) ( To(address(the(research(questions,(48(students(enrolled(in(the(general(education( course( PS( 21( during( the( first( semester( of( Academic( Year( 2024–2025( were( invited( to( participate(in(an(asynchronous(online(interview.(Participation(was(voluntary,(and(informed( consent(was(obtained(prior(to(data(collection.(A(total(of(34(students(completed(the(survey,( which(was(administered(via(Google(Forms(between(November(25(and(29,(2024.(The(cohort( consisted( of( 20( Bachelor( of( Science( in( Statistics( students,( 11( Bachelor( of( Arts( in( Communication(students,(and(3(Bachelor(of(Science(in(Biology(students.( ( Although(the(study(did(not(collect(formal(demographic(information(such(as(age(or( enrollment(status,(the(course(is(typically(composed(of(undergraduate(students(aged(18(to( 22.(Based(on(institutional(norms,(it(is(reasonable(to(infer(that(most(participants(belong(to( Generation( Z.( However,( the( possibility( of( delayed( enrollees( or( students( outside( this( 54# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester generational( cohort( is( acknowledged.( Thus,( while( participants( are( framed( as( Gen( Z( communicators,( this( is( a( contextual( assumption( rather( than( a( formally( verified( demographic(claim.( ( The( interview( instrument( consisted( of( 12( structured,( open-ended( questions( delivered(asynchronously.(Each(question(was(designed(to(align(with(one(of(the(study’s(two( guiding(research(questions:((1)(How(do(students(frame(Martial(Law(narratives(for(their( fellow(Gen(Z(listeners?(and((2)(What(challenges(do(they(encounter(in(communicating(this( history(through(campus(radio?( ( To(explore(how(students(understand(and(frame(Martial(Law,(the(following(questions( were(asked:( ● How(do(you(personally(view(the(Martial(Law(era(in(the(Philippines?( ● What(factors(or(sources(have(shaped(your(perspective?( ● What( resources( or( materials( have( been( most( influential( in( forming( your( understanding(of(Martial(Law(and(its(impact(on(Philippine(history?( ● How(confident(are(you(in(your(ability(to(identify(disinformation(about(Martial(Law?( ● Can(you(share(any(experiences(where(you(encountered(conflicting(narratives(about( this(era?( ● How(has(access(to(technology(and(online(platforms(influenced(your(understanding( or(communication(of(Martial(Law’s(history?( ( To(examine(their(communication(strategies(and(challenges(as(student(broadcasters,( participants(were(asked:( ● What(considerations(do(you(prioritize(when(planning(a(radio(program(about(Martial( Law(for(your(peers?( ● What( specific( challenges( have( you( faced( in( communicating( the( complexities( of( Martial(Law(to(your(audience,(and(how(have(you(tried(to(overcome(them?( ● What(strategies(do(you(believe(are(effective(in(engaging(your(fellow(Gen(Z(students( in(discussions(about(Martial(Law?( ● How(do(you(decide(on(the(themes(or(narratives(to(highlight(in(your(radio(program( about(Martial(Law?(Do(you(aim(for(a(specific(tone(or(approach?( ● How(do(you(assess(whether(your(radio(program(successfully(informs(and(resonates( with(your(Gen(Z(peers(about(Martial(Law?( ● What(suggestions(would(you(offer(to(improve(the(reach(and(effectiveness(of(campus( radio(programs(in(communicating(historical(topics(like(Martial(Law?( ( While( not( intended( to( elicit( deep( personal( narratives,( some( responses( revealed( incidental( insights( into( family( influences,( prior( beliefs,( and( emotional( responses.( The( structured(format(allowed(students(to(reflect(on(their(roles(not(only(as(learners(but(as(active( knowledge-sharers(and(peer(educators.( ( 55# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester Thematic( analysis( followed( (Braun( and( Clarke( 2006;( Clarke( and( Braun( 2017)( a( reflexive(approach,(with(an(experiential(and(realist(orientation.(Themes(were(developed(to( represent(the(patterned(meanings(in(students’(responses,(grounded(in(what(participants( said(rather(than(how(they(said(it.(The(analysis(emphasized(semantic(content(over(latent( meaning(or(language(structure.(While(the(study(did(not(adopt(a(formal(discourse-analytic( lens,( the( researcher( drew( contextual( insights( from( course( content( such( as( conceptual( metaphor(theory(and(media(framing((Charteris-Black(2004;(Lakoff(and(Johnson(1980)(to( situate(student(perspectives(within(broader(meaning-making(practices.(These(frameworks( informed(the(interpretation(of(responses(but(did(not(drive(theme(generation.( ( To(support(the(early(stages(of(coding,(the(researcher(used(ChatGPT(as(a(technical( aid(to(manage(and( organize( the(large(volume(of(qualitative(data.( Anonymized( student( responses(were(entered(into(the(AI(platform,(and(prompts(were(used(to(surface(recurring( ideas,(suggest(initial(codes,(and(group(conceptually(related(responses.(This(process(aligned( with(Colaizzi’s((1978)(method(of(extracting(significant(statements(and(formulating(meaning( units.(However,(ChatGPT’s(role(was(strictly(limited(to(data(structuring.( ( Final(coding(and(interpretation(were(conducted(by(two(human(coders,(the(primary( researcher(and(a(peer(collaborator,(through(a(collaborative(and(iterative(process.(ChatGPT’s( outputs(were(reviewed(critically(and(modified(or(discarded(as(needed.(Only(codes(deemed( conceptually( sound( and( aligned( with( the( research( questions( were( retained.( The( final( thematic( map( was( developed( through( multiple( cycles( of( reflection,( discussion,( and( refinement,( ensuring( interpretive( depth( and( contextual( fit.( This( approach( aligns( with( emerging(best(practices(for(responsibly(integrating(AI(in(qualitative(workflows((Bijker(et(al.( 2024;(Nguyen-Trung(2025;(Yan(et(al.(2023).( ( Although(the(term(“collaborative”(is(used(to(describe(the(coding(process,(it(refers( specifically(to(the( collaboration( between(the(researcher( and(the(second( coder.( Student( participants( were( not( involved( in( the( analysis( or( interpretation( of( data.( There( was( no( member-checking,(co-analysis,(or(co-authorship,(in(line(with(ethical(protocols(for(research( involving(current(students.( ( To(enhance(analytic(transparency(and(align(the(study's(thematic(analysis(with(its( guiding( research( questions,( the( following( table( maps( each( research( question( to( the( corresponding( interview( prompts( and( emergent( themes.( This( framework( guided( the( thematic( coding( and( ensured( that( data( interpretation( remained( rooted( in( participants'( responses(and(the(study's(central(inquiry.( ( Research(Question( Interview(Question( Emergent(Themes( RQ1:#How#do#Gen#Z#students# ● How#do#you#personally# ● Students#moved#from# 56# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester conceptualize#and#frame#the# narrative#of#Philippine#Martial# Law#when#communicating#to# their#peers#through#campus# radio?# view#the#Martial#Law# era#in#the#Philippines?# ● What#factors#or# sources#have#shaped# your#perspective?# ● What#resources#or# materials#have#been# most#influential#in# forming#your# understanding#of# Martial#Law#and#its# impact#on#Philippine# history?# ● How#has#access#to# technology#and#online# platforms#influenced# your#understanding#or# communication#of# Martial#Law’s#history?# ● What#considerations# do#you#prioritize#when# planning#a#radio# program#about#Martial# Law#for#your#peers?# ● How#do#you#decide#on# the#themes#or# narratives#to#highlight# in#your#radio#program# about#Martial#Law?#Do# you#aim#for#a#specific# tone#or#approach?# inherited#myths#of# Martial#Law#as#a# “Golden#Age”#toward#a# critical,#evidencebased#recognition#of# its#violent#and# repressive#realities.# ● Students#adopted#an# empathetic,#neutral,# and#accessible#tone#to# foster#critical# reflection#without# alienating#their# audience#or# minimizing#the# trauma#of#Martial#Law.# ● Students#approached# campus#radio# production#as#a#civic# and#pedagogical#act,# designing#programs# that#were#factchecked,#emotionally# engaging,#and#relevant# to#Gen#Z#audiences.# RQ2:#What#challenges#do#Gen# Z#students#face#in# communicating#the# complexities#of#Philippine# Martial#Law#to#their#peers# through#campus#radio,#and# how#do#they#address#these# challenges?# ● How#confident#are#you# in#your#ability#to# identify# disinformation#about# Martial#Law?# ● Can#you#share#any# experiences#where#you# encountered# conflicting#narratives# about#this#era?# ● What#specific# challenges#have#you# faced#in# ● Despite#increased# confidence#in# evaluating#sources,# students’#media# literacy#was# continually#tested#by# the#scale,#speed,#and# emotional#appeal#of# Martial#Law# disinformation#online.# ● Engaging#peers#with# the#complex#history#of# Martial#Law#required# 63# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester ( Some(students(also(focused(on(the(legacy(of(youth(resistance,(seeing(in(it(a(mirror( for(their(own(generational(responsibilities.( ( “Our(themes(and(narratives(center(on(the(youth(resistance(in(Cebu(during( Martial(Law.(This(aligns(with(our(keynote(speaker,(a(youth(advocate,(to(ensure( relevance(and(resonance(with(our(target(audience.”((P17)( ( Another(participant(reflected:( ( “Highlighting(the(importance(of(youth(activism(during(Martial(Law(is(crucial,( as(it(parallels(current(struggles(against(authoritarian(tendencies,(such(as(the( implications(of(the(Anti-Terrorism(Act.”((P10)( ( To(make(these(themes(accessible(and(engaging,(students(proposed(using(interactive( media(strategies(such(as(social(media(teasers,(embedded(sound(clips,(live(Q&As,(and(guest( speakers.(These(methods(aimed(to(meet(their(generation(where(it(already(lives—online— and(to(create(a(participatory,(not(merely(consumptive,(learning(experience.( ( Overall,( these( efforts( reveal( a( thoughtful( and( politically( engaged( approach( to( educational(media(production.(For(the(students,(historical(communication(was(not(about( nostalgia( or( neutral( documentation.( It( was( a( form( of( activism,( a( way( to( contest( forgetfulness,(honor(the(memory(of(those(who(resisted,(and(reassert(the(role(of(the(youth( in(shaping(democratic(futures.( ( Engaging( peers( with( the( complex( history( of( Martial( Law( required( students( to( navigate( emotional( fatigue,( generational( resistance,( and( apathy( among( their( listeners.( & Students( encountered( a( range( of( emotional( and( interpersonal( barriers( while( communicating( the( realities( of( Martial( Law( through( campus( radio.( These( included( misinformation,(emotional(strain,(generational(resistance,(and(the(difficulty(of(capturing( and( holding( the( attention( of( an( audience( not( always( inclined( to( engage( deeply( with( historical(topics.( ( A( key( challenge( was( contending( with( the( persistent( spread( of( misleading( or( idealized(views(of(the(Martial(Law(era.(Many(students(described(how(inaccurate(narratives,( often(passed(down(through(generations(or(shared(widely(online,(made(it(difficult(to(present( a(truthful(and(balanced(perspective.(One(student(reflected:( ( “One(of(the(biggest(challenges(in(communicating(the(complexities(of(Martial( Law(is(dealing(with(misinformation(and(the(resistance(to(credible(information.( 64# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester Many(people(either(romanticize(the(era(or(dismiss(its(impact(entirely,(making( it(hard(to(present(a(balanced(view.”((P11)( ( Another(shared(a(more(personal(struggle,( ( “These(conflicts(also(arise(within(my(own(family.(My(mother,(aunts,(and(uncles( continue(to(believe(many(of(the(myths(surrounding(Martial(Law.(While(their( beliefs(can(be(frustrating,(I(approach(discussions(with(respect,(mindful(of(the( generational(gap(in(understanding(this(period.”((P20)( ( The(issue(of(apathy(or(disconnection(from(history(among(Gen(Z(peers(also(surfaced( as(a(significant(hurdle.(Students(noted(that(although(their(generation(has(greater(access(to( information,(that(access(does(not(always(translate(into(curiosity(or(understanding.(To(reach( these(peers,(many(emphasized(the(need(for(delivery(formats(that(are(both(relevant(and( emotionally(engaging.(One(participant(explained:( ( “This(isn't(the(first(time(people(have(heard(about(this(topic,(so(our(challenge(is( to(make(it(memorable.(We(want(to(present(the(information(in(a(way(that's( both( refreshing( and( captivating,( keeping( people( engaged.( However,( it's( a( double-edged(sword(because(the(topic(is(serious,(and(we(need(to(stay(on(track( with(our(program's(objectives.(Finding(a(way(to(make(it(fresh(and(engaging( while(staying(true(to(the(subject(matter(has(been(a(challenge.”((P27)( ( Tackling( traumatic( aspects( of( Martial( Law,( such( as( torture,( disappearances,( and( systemic(abuse,(introduced(emotional(challenges(of(its(own.(Students(expressed(how(heavy( the(material(could(be—not( just( for(the(audience,(but( also( for(themselves(as(hosts(and( creators.( ( “In( communicating( the( complexities( of( Martial( Law( to( our( audience,( we( encountered(several(challenges,(particularly(due(to(the(emotional(weight(and( sensitive( nature( of( the( topic.( Discussing( human( rights( violations,( enforced( disappearances,(and(the(suffering(endured(by(many(during(Martial(Law(can(be( overwhelming(for(both(the(audience(and(the(program(hosts.”((P33)( ( To( navigate( these( barriers,( students( employed( a( mix( of( empathy,( strategy,( and( creativity.(When(faced(with(opposing(or(misinformed(views,(they(responded(by(anchoring( their(content(in(evidence(while(maintaining(a(respectful(tone.( ( “One(specific(challenge(is(addressing(the(polarized(views(about(Martial(Law,( as(some(audiences(may(have(strong(biases(or(misinformation.(To(overcome( this,(I(focus(on(presenting(verified(facts(and(using(a(respectful(tone(to(foster( open(dialogue.”((P18)( 65# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester ( They( also( turned( to( storytelling( and( the( arts( to( evoke( empathy( and( deepen( engagement.( Testimonies( from( survivors,( as( well( as( poems( and( music,( were( used( to( humanize(history(and(create(emotional(entry(points(for(listeners(who(might(otherwise(tune( out.(In(addition,(students(worked(to(show(how(Martial(Law(was(not(a(closed(chapter(of(the( past(but(a(living(history(that(resonates(in(contemporary(struggles,(such(as(disinformation,( democratic(erosion,(and(ongoing(debates(about(civil(liberties.( ( Finally,(students(embraced(Gen(Z’s(digital(preferences.(They(proposed(the(use(of( interactive(and(visual(formats(like(polls,(quizzes,(multimedia(posts,(and(short-form(content( distributed(via(social(media.(These(tools(allowed(them(to(deliver(serious(content(in(more( digestible(forms(without(diluting(the(message.( ( Taken(together,(these(efforts(reveal(the(students’(nuanced(understanding(of(their( audience(and(the(historical(moment(they(are(speaking(into.(Their(work(illustrates(not(only( the(challenge(of(teaching(Martial(Law(history(to(a(distracted(or(resistant(generation,(but( also( the( creative,( emotionally( intelligent( ways( in( which( that( challenge( can( be( met.( In( confronting(emotional(fatigue,(misinformation,(and(generational(divides,(these(students( turned( campus( radio( into( a( space( for( critical( reflection,( collective( memory,( and( civic( education.( ( Students(employed(Gen(Z-native(strategies(like(humor,(memes,(short-form(videos,( and(peer(language(to(make( Martial(Law( memory(relatable( and(accessible( across( digital(platforms.( ( Recognizing( that( traditional( methods( of( historical( instruction( may( not( resonate( with( their( peers,( students( intentionally( designed( their( Martial( Law( communication( strategies( to( align( with( Gen( Z's( digital( habits,( media( preferences,( and( emotional( sensibilities.(They(emphasized(that(to(truly(engage(their(generation,(information(must(not( only(be(accurate(but(also(accessible,(visually(engaging,(and(emotionally(resonant.( ( A(central(strategy(involved(embracing(the(digital(platforms(that(dominate(Gen(Z’s( daily( lives.( Apps( like( TikTok,( Instagram,( and( YouTube( became( tools( not( just( for( entertainment,(but(for(political(education.(As(one(student(explained,( ( “One(effective(approach(in(engaging(my(fellow(Gen(Z(students(in(discussions( about(Martial(Law(is(leveraging(social(media(and(digital(platforms(like(TikTok,( Instagram,(and(YouTube(to(share(bite-sized,(visually(engaging(content,(such( as(infographics,(short(videos,(and(memes.(This(method(resonates(with(Gen(Z( because(they(spend(a(significant(amount(of(time(on(social(media,(and(their( short(attention(spans(are(best(suited(for(quick,(engaging(formats(like(reels,( 66# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester shorts,(or(TikTok(videos.(These(platforms(allow(me(to(present(information(in( a(digestible(way(that(captures(their(interest.”((P1)( ( Students(also(highlighted(the(importance(of(storytelling,(especially(when(rooted(in( firsthand( accounts.( They( believed( that( narrative,( whether( drawn( from( historical( documents,(interviews,(or(dramatized( scripts,( could(bridge(the( emotional( gap(between( their(generation(and(a(past(they(did(not(live(through.( ( “Relatable( storytelling( is( key.( Sharing( personal( stories( or( testimonies( from( people(who(lived(through(the(era(can(make(the(topic(more(impactful.”((P1)( ( Linking(historical(memory(to(contemporary(issues(was(another(tactic(for(making( Martial(Law(relevant.(By(identifying(parallels(between(past(abuses(of(power(and(current( political( concerns,( students( hoped( to( highlight( the( urgency( of( remembering( history( correctly.( ( “It’s(also(effective(to(link(the(past(to(current(issues,(showing(how(Martial(Law’s( legacy(influences(today’s(political(and(social(landscape.”((P8)( ( To(engage(a(generation(used(to(participatory(media,(students(proposed(interactive( and(playful(formats(like(digital(polls,(Q&A(sessions,(and(even(games.(Humor,(especially( when( channeled( through( memes,( was( also( viewed( as( a( legitimate( and( strategic( tool,( provided(it(did(not(trivialize(the(suffering(of(Martial(Law(victims.( ( “Involving(Gen(Z(students(in(discussions(regarding(Martial(Law(is(easiest(when( the( approach( is( viewed( as( accessible( and( relevant.( Posting( short( clips,( documentaries,(or(infographics(on(social(media(platforms(is(effective(because( they(have(visual(appeal(and(are(easy(to(understand.”((P26)( ( (“As(a(fellow(Gen(Z,(with(a(short(attention(span,(with(no(interest(in(radio((in( this(increasingly(digital(world),(I(believe(one(of(the(things(that(can(appeal(to( them,(especially(on(social(media,(is(through(humor(or(memes.(I(feel(like(most( Gen( Z( cope( through( humor.( But( not( humor( in( a( way( that( minimizes( the( experiences(of(those(who(were(tortured(and(killed,(but(humor(in(a(way(that( (factually)(criticizes(the(Marcoses.”((P34)( ( Students(were(also(mindful(of(the(emotional(demands(of(the(topic.(Martial(Law(is( not(just(a(historical(lesson;(it(is(a(wound(that(continues(to(be(felt(across(generations.(In(this( context,(students(saw(the(need(for(spaces(of(respectful(dialogue(and(empathetic(listening,( especially(when(disagreement(or(emotional(fatigue(arose.(By(pairing(rigorous(fact-checking( with(peer-oriented(communication(and(affective(sensitivity,(they(aimed(to(make(Martial( Law(education(both(intellectually(honest(and(emotionally(reachable.( 67# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester ( Together,(these(approaches(reflect(an(intentional,(values-driven(effort(to(reach(their( generation( where( they( are.( By( merging( credibility( with( creativity( and( emotional( connection,( these( students( transformed( digital( platforms( into( counterpublic( spaces,( informal( but( powerful( venues( for( reanimating( historical( memory( and( resisting( disinformation(in(ways(that(feel(urgent,(relevant,(and(authentically(Gen(Z.( ) Students( adopted( an( empathetic,( neutral,( and( accessible( tone( to( foster( critical( reflection(without(alienating(their(audience(or(minimizing(the(trauma(of(Martial( Law.( ( In(crafting(their(radio(programs(on(Martial(Law,(students(were(deeply(intentional( about( their( tone.( They( recognized( that( the( topic( carries( immense( emotional( weight,( particularly(for(survivors(and(families(affected(by(the(violence(and(repression(of(the(era.( For( this( reason,( they( sought( to( communicate( historical( truths( without( retraumatizing( listeners(or(alienating(peers(who(may(hold(conflicting(views.(Their(tone(was(designed(to(be( empathetic,(neutral,(and(accessible,(enabling(honest(engagement(with(a(painful(past.( ( Students(prioritized(emotional(sensitivity(and(respect(in(how(they(conveyed(their( message.( Rather( than( relying( on( sensationalism( or( aggressive( rhetoric,( they( chose( approaches(that(centered(on(truth,(care,(and(connection.(As(one(student(explained,( ( “We(aim(for(a(neutral(and(thoughtful(tone,(avoiding(sensationalism.(Our(goal( is(to(foster(understanding(rather(than(pushing(a(particular(agenda,(allowing( our(peers(to(form(their(own(perspectives(based(on(the(information(presented.”( (P4)( ( This( approach( was( not( about( minimizing( the( gravity( of( Martial( Law( but( about( making( the( conversation( possible.( Aware( that( some( listeners( may( feel( discomfort( or( defensiveness,( students( used( tone( as( a( bridge.( They( chose( words( and( formats( that( encouraged( openness( rather( than( confrontation,( understanding( that( reflection( requires( psychological(safety.( ( To( support( this,( students( integrated( storytelling,( poetry,( music,( and( firsthand( testimonies.(These(forms(added(emotional(dimension(to(historical(facts,(helping(listeners( connect( personally( with( the( content.( These( creative( methods( helped( move( the( conversation(from(abstract(data(to(lived(experience,(encouraging(listeners(to(imagine(what( it(felt(like(to(endure(those(years.( ( Accessibility(was(also(a(key(concern.(Students(intentionally(avoided(overly(academic( or(formal(language,(opting(instead(for(clear,(casual(phrasing(and(relatable(examples.(They( 68# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester understood(that(engaging(Gen(Z(requires(not(just(relevant(content(but(also(a(tone(and(style( that(feels(familiar(and(inclusive.(One(student(reflected:( ( “In(our(case,(we(chose(to(make(it(more(casual(and(not(seem(to(be(that(serious( so(that(our(audience(would(feel(safe(listening(to(our(radio(program.(Also,(we( specifically( add( examples( that( people( could( relate( to( so( that( they( could( somehow(feel(that(they(are(part(of(the(audience.”((P10)( ( Through(this(careful(balance,(fact-based(but(humanized,(critical(but(kind,(students( created(radio(programming(that(invited(conversation(rather(than(shut(it(down.(Their(tone( enabled( dialogue( about( one( of( the( most( contested( periods( in( Philippine( history,( while( upholding(the(dignity(of(those(who(suffered(and(the(right(of(their(generation(to(seek(truth( for(themselves.(By(fostering(a(safe,(inclusive,(and(reflective(listening(space,(they(modeled( how( history( can( be( taught( in( ways( that( are( both( emotionally( intelligent( and( socially( transformative.( ( ( Discussion) ( DYUP(Sugbo(as(a(Youth-Led(Counterpublic(in(the(Post-Authoritarian(Public(Sphere( ( The( radio( program( Batbat,( produced( and( aired( through( DYUP( Sugbo,( can( be( theorized( as( a( dynamic( counterpublic( space.( It( is( not( only( situated( outside( dominant( narratives(of(Philippine(history,(but(also(actively(pushes(against(them.(Michael(Warner( (2002)(defines(counterpublics(as(discursive(arenas(where(subordinated(social(groups(invent( and( circulate( counter-discourses( to( formulate( oppositional( interpretations( of( their( identities,(interests,(and(needs.(DYUP(Sugbo,(in(this(context,(is(not(merely(a(university-run( media(platform.(It(functions(as(a(generative,(youth-driven(site(of(ideological(struggle(where( suppressed(memories(of(Martial(Law(are(revived(and(rearticulated(through(a(Gen(Z(lens.( ( The( students( involved( in( Batbat( are( not( passive( participants( in( a( pre-existing( counterpublic;( they( are( shaping( it.( They( choose( the( stories( that( get( told,( foreground( testimonies( of( Martial( Law( survivors,( invite( non-mainstream( guests,( and( intentionally( frame(their(content(through(language(and(aesthetics(resonant(with(their(generation.(These( acts(of(curation(and(mediation(are(ideological.(As(they(determine(what(is(included,(what(is( emphasized,(and(how(it(is(delivered,(the(students(perform(what(Warner(calls("ideological( labor":( constructing( memory( that( resists( the( sanitized,( revisionist( scripts( promoted( in( mainstream(narratives.( ( The(counterpublic(character(of(Batbat(lies(not(only(in(its(oppositional(content(but( also(in(its(imagined(audience.(The(student(broadcasters(are(speaking(directly(to(their(peers,( fellow(Gen(Z(Filipinos,(who(may(not(have(lived(through(Martial(Law(but(must(contend(with( 69# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester its(afterlives(in(contemporary(politics.(By(addressing(their(generation(in(a(voice(and(format( they(understand,(the(students(call(a(specific(public(into(being.(This(is(not(a(passive(audience( of(information(recipients.(Rather,(it(is(a(community(of(listeners(engaged(in(an(emergent( form(of(horizontal(memory(transmission.( ( Gen(Z(Aesthetics(and(the(Emergence(of(a(New(Counterpublic(Register( ( The( generational( identity( of( the( student( broadcasters( profoundly( shapes( the( contours(of(DYUP(Sugbo(as(a(counterpublic.(As(digital(natives,(Gen(Z(students(possess(a( fluency(in(multimedia(expression(that(allows(them(to(create(hybrid(narrative(forms.(These( include(memes,(dramatizations,(testimonial(snippets,(affective(commentary,(and(even(pop( culture(references.(Such(forms( represent( a(novel(register( of( dissent(that(is( emotionally( resonant(and(accessible(to(their(peers.( ( Unlike(traditional(activist(communication,(which(may(emphasize(formal(rhetoric(or( ideological(slogans,(Batbat(adopts(an(aesthetic(marked(by(humor,(affect,(and(informality.( This(allows(for(emotional(proximity(between(storyteller(and(audience,(reinforcing(trust(and( relatability.(These(students(are(not(afraid(to( be(unpolished,(ironic,(or(emotionally(raw.( Their(storytelling(does(not(adhere(to(academic(detachment(or(state-sanctioned(neutrality.( Rather,(it(is(grounded(in(empathy,(urgency,(and(civic(imagination.( ( This(generation’s(participation(also(unsettles(the(stereotype(of(Gen(Z(as(apathetic(or( politically(disengaged.(The(labor(involved(in(producing(Batbat,(from(historical(research(and( scriptwriting(to(interviewing(survivors(and(shaping(content,(demonstrates(deep(emotional( investment(and(civic(commitment.(Far(from(being(passive(consumers(of(historical(content,( these(students(are(actively(producing(counter-memory(and(counter-narratives.( ( Despite( their( enthusiasm,( student( broadcasters( confronted( several( challenges( in( curating( Martial( Law( narratives.( The( emotional( weight( of( engaging( with( traumatic( histories,( the( threat( of( historical( revisionism,( and( the( difficulty( of( sustaining( peer( engagement(in(a(fast-paced(digital(culture(posed(significant(obstacles.(Rather(than(retreat( from(these(barriers,(the(students(met(them(with(generational(strategies:(blending(historical( accuracy(with(affective(storytelling,(translating(complex(themes(into(accessible(formats,( and(deploying(humor(and(irony(to(build(emotional(proximity(with(their(audience.(These( acts(of(adaptation(reflect(not(just(resilience,(but(a(deliberate(effort(to(ensure(the(memory( of(Martial(Law(remains(legible,(resonant,(and(resistant(to(erasure(within(contemporary( youth(discourse.( ( Becoming(Public(Through(Storytelling( ( In(narrating(Martial(Law,(the(students(are(not(merely(delivering(content.(They(are( becoming(political(actors.(Although(they(may(not(self-identify(as(activists,(their(actions(fall( 70# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester squarely( within( the( realm( of( civic( agency.( By( performing( public( memory( work,( they( participate(in(what(Warner((2002)(terms(the("becoming(public"(of(counterpublics,(creating( new(forms(of(community,(consciousness,(and(discourse.( ( Moreover,( their( storytelling( is( performative.( It( calls( into( being( an( imagined( community(of(young(Filipinos(who(reject(historical(distortion(and(refuse(amnesia.(This( horizontal(mode(of(memory(transmission(subverts(the(vertical,(top-down(flow(of(textbook( history.(It(asserts(that(Gen(Z,(despite(their(temporal(distance(from(Martial(Law,(has(both( the(right(and(the(responsibility(to(shape(the(narrative.( ( DYUP( Sugbo,( as( shaped( by( Gen( Z,( does( not( simply( oppose( dominant( historical( accounts.(It(offers(an(alternative(civic(pedagogy(grounded(in(peer-led(memory,(creative( dissent,(and(the(refusal(to(forget.(Through(these(acts(of(storytelling,(selection,(and(framing,( a(new(counterpublic(is(being(forged—not(in(the(streets,(but(on(airwaves,(through(scripts,( in(laughter,(and(in(remembrance.( ( These( findings( gain( added( urgency( in( light( of( ongoing( efforts( by( the( Philippine( government(to(revise(curriculum(content(related(to(Martial(Law(in(basic(education.(Recent( moves(by(the(Department(of(Education(under(the(administration(of(President(Ferdinand( Marcos(Jr.(have( included(proposals(to( reframe(or(soften( references(to(the( dictatorship,( particularly(by(replacing(terms(such(as("dictatorship"(with(more(neutral(language(in(social( studies(modules.(This(curriculum(shift(reflects(broader(attempts(to(recast(national(memory( and(is(part(of(what(some(scholars(have(termed("state-sponsored(revisionism"((Cayabyab( 2023).(Within(this(shifting(landscape,(student-led(programs(like(Batbat(on(DYUP(Sugbo( function( as( counterpublic( spaces( that( reclaim( historical( narratives,( foreground( the( experiences(of(victims(and(survivors,(and(resist(the(erasure(of(traumatic(pasts(through(civic( storytelling(and(performative(media.( ( ( Conclusion)) ) This( study( explored( how( a( group( of( Gen( Z( students( at( the( University( of( the( Philippines( Cebu( conceptualized( and( communicated( the( complexities( of( Martial( Law( through(DYUP(Sugbo,(the(university’s(campus(radio.(Anchored(in(counterpublic(theory,( the(findings(reveal(how(student-led(media,(situated(within(an(academic(framework,(can( function(as(a(generative(space(for(ideological(resistance(and(civic(engagement.(Through( Batbat,(students(constructed(alternative(narratives(that(foregrounded(survivor(testimonies,( emotional(truths,(and(peer-oriented(storytelling.(These(narratives(offered(an(accessible(and( affective(counterpoint(to(dominant(historical(accounts.( ( Rather(than(portraying(Gen(Z(in(broad(terms,(this(study(highlights(how(one(specific( cohort,( students( enrolled( in( the( PS( 21( course,( formed( a( youth-led( counterpublic( that( 71# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester contested(historical(revisionism(through(creative(media(work.(Their(choices(of(content,( tone,(and(platforms(reflect(a(localized(but(significant(intervention(in(historical(memorymaking.(As(digital(natives,(they(used(informal,(hybrid,(and(emotionally(resonant(strategies( to(call(their(peers(into(a(reflective(public.(In(doing(so,(they(transformed(a(course(project( into(a(civic(endeavor.( ( The( challenges( they( faced,( including( misinformation,( emotional( weight,( and( intergenerational(tensions,(were(met(with(thoughtful(and(platform-aware(strategies.(Social( media( and( pop( culture( were( not( distractions( but( tools( that( extended( the( reach( and( relevance(of(their(message.(DYUP(Sugbo(became(a(context-specific(counterpublic(sphere,( shaped(by(pedagogy,(generation,(and(place.( ( While(the(findings(cannot(be( generalized(to(all( Gen(Z( youth,(they(illustrate( the( pedagogical(value(of(integrating(critical(media(production(into(history(education.(In(the( context(of(looming(elections(and(increasing(historical(distortion,(the(Batbat(experience( suggests( that( carefully( designed( academic( spaces( can( nurture( democratic( memory( and( support(the(emergence(of(counterpublics(that(reframe(the(past(with(honesty,(empathy,(and( agency.( ( ( AI)Use)Declaration( ( Artificial(intelligence((AI)(tools(like(ChatGPT,(Grammarly,(and(NotebookLM(were( employed( during( the( writing( process( of( this( study( to( support( grammar( correction( and( ideation.(Specifically,(AI-assisted(platforms(were(used(to(refine(sentence(structure,(enhance( clarity,( and( ensure( academic( tone( consistency.( Additionally,( generative( AI( was( utilized( during(the(early(stages(of(writing(to(assist(in(brainstorming(and(organizing(initial(ideas.(All( content,(arguments,(and(interpretations(remain(the(original(work(of(the(author,(and(the( use(of(AI(did(not(influence(the(analysis,(data(interpretation,(or(the(study’s(conclusions.(The( author(maintained(full(intellectual(and(ethical(responsibility(throughout(the(research(and( writing(process.( ( ( References) ( ABS-CBN(News.(2020.(“Bongbong(Marcos(Requested(Cambridge(Analytica(to(Rebrand( Family(Image:(Whistleblower.”(ABS-CBN&News,(July(16.(https://www.abscbn.com/news/business/2025/5/27/over-100-electric-vehicle-charge-points-inmakati-seen-by-acmobility-for-sustainability-1858.( Arong,(Marie(Rose.(2022.(“PS(21(in(UP(Cebu.”(In(PS&21:&Wika,&Panitikan,&at&Kultura&Sa& Ilalim&Ng&Batas&Militar:&Aklat&Palihan.(Sentro(ng(Wikang(Filipino-(Unibersidad(ng( 72# Villaester Aguipo'Global'South'Journal#vol.#4,#2025,#48-74# # ISSN$2984-8342$ https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.17275595$ ©$Maurice$Jitty$Villaester Pilipinas(Diliman.( Assmann,(Jan,(and(John(Czaplicka.(1995.(“Collective(Memory(and(Cultural(Identity.”(New& German&Critique,(no.(65:(125.(https://doi.org/10.2307/488538.( Bijker,(Rimke,(Stephanie(S(Merkouris,(Nicki(A(Dowling,(and(Simone(N(Rodda.(2024.( “ChatGPT(for(Automated(Qualitative(Research:(Content(Analysis.”(Journal&of& Medical&Internet&Research(26((July):(e59050.(https://doi.org/10.2196/59050.( Braun,(Virginia,(and(Victoria(Clarke.(2006.(“Using(Thematic(Analysis(in(Psychology.”( Qualitative&Research&in&Psychology(3((2):(77–101.( https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.( Cayabyab,(Marc(Jayson.(2023.(“DepEd(Hit(for(Rebranding(of(Marcos(Dictatorship.”(The& Philippine&Star,(September(13.( https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/13/2295879/deped-hit-rebrandingmarcos-dictatorship.( Charteris-Black,(Jonathan.(2004.(“Critical(Metaphor(Analysis.”(In(Corpus&Approaches&to& Critical&Metaphor&Analysis,(by(Jonathan(Charteris-Black.(Palgrave(Macmillan(UK.( https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230000612_12.( Clarke,(Victoria,(and(Virginia(Braun.(2017.(“Thematic(Analysis.”(The&Journal&of&Positive& Psychology(12((3):(297–98.(https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1262613.( Colaizzi,(Paul.(1978.(“Psychological(Research(as(the(Phenomenologist(Views(It.”(In( Existential-Phenomenological&Alternatives&for&Psychology.(Oxford(University(Press.( Dios,(Emmanuel(S.(De,(Maria(Socorro(Gochoco-Bautista,(and(Jan(Carlo(Punongbayan.( 2021.(Martial&Law&and&the&Philippine&Economy.(UPSE(Discussion(Paper(2021–07.( University(of(the(Philippines,(School(of(Economics((UPSE).( https://hdl.handle.net/10419/266061.( Fraser,(Nancy.(1990.(“Rethinking(the(Public(Sphere:(A(Contribution(to(the(Critique(of( Actually(Existing(Democracy.”(Social&Text,(no.(25/26:(56.( https://doi.org/10.2307/466240.( GMA(Integrated(News.(2025.(“Millennials,(Gen(Z(Make(up(63%(of(Voting(Population.”( GMA&News&Online,(February(9.( https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/935726/millennials-gen-zmake-up-63-of-eleksyon-2025-voters/story/.( Hill,(Hal.(1982.(“The(Philippine(Economy(under(Marcos:(A(Balance(Sheet.”(Australian& Outlook(36((3):(32–39.(https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718208444792.( Ifurung,(Jeannette,(and(John(Red,(dirs.(1997.(Batas&Militar.(Documentary.(