In a Philippine context, the color yellow is so  powerful as it is so politically charged being the color that symbolized the advocacy and movement against the martial law imposed by Marcos’ administration. By the title alone,  ‘The Year to Remember’, dated 1983, gives the audience a very specific context of the work. August 21, 1983 was the exact date Ninoy Aquino was assassinated at the tarmac as he returned from exile. 

The primary subject matter of the painting is a large yellow cloth that is rumpled as if it were covering something; more specifically shaped as a body. In this case, I see it as a cloth covering Ninoy Aquino’s corpse as it is lifted up dominating the very dark space. It honestly reminds me of Christ’s resurrection story. The narrative that the painting gives me is one that is messianic, almost sacred. Looking at the upper part of the painting, we see what resembles yellow ribbons on top of  the red ribbons. This uplifting sort of movement, the feel of hope as the volume of yellow triumphs over the dark plane and the color of blood, often portrayed by the color red, is given rest by the bright yellow. 

Former senator Ninoy Aquino was, as one could recall – or research, was the ‘golden boy’ of the Filipino nation. He was someone who fervently fought for the nation; courageous and outspoken he was against the Marcos’ abuse of power. He was the voice of the forced-to-silence FIlipino nation. He was the modern hero. Challenging Marcos landed him to years of  imprisonment. The nation saw hope in Ninoy. In fact, yellow apparently was inspired by the song ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon’ by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown which is essentially about a prisoner hoping to be welcomed home. Except as much as he was welcomed by the people, Aquino met his tragic fate. Aquino’s death only instigated the unsilencing of the Filipino nation which led to the yellow-led, anti-Marcos movement that ended the infamous and violent  Marcos regime. 

The artist, Edgar Talusan Fernandez, is very known for works that help us not forget about the horrors and the sacrifices that took place during the Martial Law. I absolutely enjoyed his work not just because the People Power Revolution anniversary is drawing near but also because the elements were exceptionally compelling; the bright yellows, the sharp edges, and the mysterious feel the painting holds