From Collecting to Tracing Documentary Realities: The Intertextuality of “New Society”

Abstract

State-produced published documents during Martial Law in the Philippines from 1972-1981 are examined through intertextuality. Under the regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, his vaunted ideology of Bagong Lipunan or New Society was foisted on the Philippines. Until now, this period is still highly contested. Opposing views and memories of this era have emerged. Through the engagement of librarians in bringing forth new knowledge and social memory, they are transforming their role from being keepers and collectors of information to mediators and educators that help raise public awareness. This paper demonstrates how librarians can take part in the discourse by analysing documents, especially those that are considered crucial for the reconstruction of memory and history.