Liliosa Hilao: Unveiling The Blooming Story Of A Brave Bicolana Activist

Blockage and danger are some of the words to describe water lilies in rivers and ponds. Ironically, Liliosa "Lilli" Hilao embodied the opposite of this description as she placed her life in danger to pave the way to destroying the societal blockage in the country during her time—Martial Law.

Her bravery, sacrifice, and compassion helped on achieving Filipinos’ freedom, by encouraging everyone to oppose the dictatorial system back then. Her painful demise perpetrated by the despotic government only enhanced her remembrance making her to be recorded as the earliest woman martyr during the struggle against despotism in the most desolate moments of Philippine past.

It was roughly a year ago when a theatrical play was held in tribute to her heroic deed. Sining Banwa showcased a theatrical play about the life story of a Bicolana activist whose roots were from Bulan, Sorsogon, and who continued a quarter of her life in Manila as a student.

Just like water lilies, Lilli also had her own phases of growth, which she used for the promotion of the common good—breathing, blooming, and blossoming.

Water lilies usually interfere with the oxygen exchange.

Lilli debunked this herself when she went the other way. Sickly as she might be described, Lilli was able to breathe through her pens and words, which she used as an edge to raise awareness and resistance at that time. In her early childhood, she had always been an honor student in elementary and high school, which always paved the way for her eyes opening to societal events.

On the 21st day of September 1972, Former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. imposed Martial Law under Presidential Proclamation No. 1081, which started a whole different system in the country. Mainstream and other forms of media were under the control of the government, and some journalists were tortured, killed—and some… are nowhere to be found.

Despite her asthmatic condition, it did not hinder her from voicing out and exposing the wrongdoings of the government during Martial Law. She was an associate editor of "Hasik," the official student publication of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), secretary of the Women's Club of Pamantasan, and an active organizer of the Communication Arts Club at the university.

Water lilies are spiritual symbols of enlightenment.
Lilli became the vibrant torch not just in her family but also in her organizations. Her small voice was heard in her manuscript and resonated in the ears of the individuals who were blinded by the masked system and the horrible government.

The writings she produced for her PLM student paper served as a vehicle for her thoughts. "The Vietnamization of the Philippines" and "Democracy is Dead in the Philippines Under Martial Law" are a couple of her works that reflect her opinions on martial law.

Being associated with a progressive group and being loud about her stance, she was arrested by the Philippine Constabulary headed by Lt. Arturo Castillo with no search order or warrant of arrest.

Later that night, Lt. Castillo brutally beat, tortured, and mistreated the victim. The unit threatened the family members, preventing them from trying to step in.

At that moment, the light of Lilli's life started to get dim—an indication of extreme violence that painted her white dress red.

Water lilies usually grow during summer and pre-fall.

On the 5th of April 1973, Lilli passed away during detention. Her brother-in-law, who was an army soldier, saw her weak body full of marks of torture and gang rape. Unfortunately, authorities released a statement that Lilli committed suicide by drinking muriatic acid, but the findings say otherwise.

With this tragic event, Lilli was known as a hero who used her passion in writing to unveil the wrongdoings of the government. During Lilli's graduation, she blossomed when her seat was kept empty, and the university acknowledged her bravery.

Her scarred past is what made her the bravest woman. Lilli's agony resulted in the country's happiness 13 years after her death—the historic People Power Revolution that overthrew the Marcos patriarch. One of the lawsuits filed against FEM was about Liliosa's case of torture.

The case might have gone long overdue, but in 1996, the court sided with Hilao resulting in a $2 billion charge to the Marcos family with over 10,000 human rights abuse cases.

After her death, Lilli's name began to blossom even today, and her bravery is still recognized by many. Her life is narrated through a theatrical performance depicting the sufferings, injustice, and the horrendous society. Aside from this, her name is written in the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, and a street in her hometown was named after her.

From asthma to society, Lilli's battle just symbolizes women breaking stereotypes, fighting through ink, and the courage and willingness to die for their own country. Thirteen rough years after her death, she had justice. Just like water lilies, the legacy she planted for the country remains until now.

Her story just shows that when you're a blockage at someone's atrocity, you will be in danger. Seems like she embodied being a living water lily back then—BLOCK. BLOOM. BLOSSOM.