ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the strategic building of war memorials during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos to reveal how these structures were used to sculpt national memory and reinforce Marcos's self-styled image as a war hero. It argues that these memorials, under the guise of honoring Filipino soldiers, subtly perpetuated Marcos's exaggerated war heroism, ingraining his version of history into the national psyche. The analysis reveals how these structures prioritize themes of glorified heroism and noble sacrifice while deliberately overshadowing the complex realities of war, civilian suffering, and genuine public mourning. By intertwining his questionable claims with potent symbols of nationalism, historical consciousness, and veteran advocacy, Marcos effectively blurred the boundaries between personal aggrandizement and national identity. This examination contextualizes the Marcos-era “edifice complex” within a broader pattern of political manipulation of memorial spaces, demonstrating how physical monuments can both perpetuate manufactured narratives and create opportunities for their contestation. As the Philippines continues to grapple with the political resurgence of the Marcos family and their largely successful rehabilitation efforts, understanding the material dimension of memory politics becomes crucial for fostering a more nuanced historical discourse, one that acknowledges the full spectrum of war experiences beyond the militaristic narratives etched in stone.
