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The People Power Revolution in the Philippines in February 1986 marked the overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos after 21 years of brutal dictatorship.
The non-violent revolution that saw hundreds of thousands of unarmed Filipinos take to the streets is now the subject of Queensland Theatre’s award-winning play Malacanang Made Us, It has its world premiere this weekend.
Ferdinand Marcos with his wife Imelda next to him and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the far right. making powerful gestures from the balcony of Malacanang Palace in 1986.Credit: access point
“It’s about two Brisbane brothers, Martin and Ernie, who are revolutionaries, and Martin’s son wants to be an activist, but he has no idea about his father’s or his uncle’s past,” playwright Jordan Shea said.
Marcos and his wife, who went into exile in Hawaii, were accused of stealing billions of pesos from the Philippine government.
Shea said many people will remember Imelda Marcos and her famous collection of 1,000 pairs of shoes.
“Everyone remembers the shoes; what they don’t remember is that it represents 21 years of corruption, wealth and rule.”
Playwright Jordan Shea (right) rehearses his Queensland Theater production with actor Marty Alix.Credit: Morgan Roberts
Malou Aguilar, a Brisbane Filipino resident who consulted on the production, said she remembered making sandwiches and cardboard beds for protesters in Manila in 1986.
“Peaceful revolution is the Filipinos’ gift to the world, the young generation should know this,” he said.
The play will run at the Bille Brown Theater from October 18 to November 1.
