Bantayog ni Ferdinand E. Marcos | |
 The monument at its present location at the Batac City Plaza. | |
 Interactive map of Daytoy ti Bannawag | |
| Location | Batac,Ilocos Norte, Philippines |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 18°03′18″N120°33′51″E / 18.05498°N 120.56417°E /18.05498; 120.56417 |
| Designer | Giuseppe Marinucci |
| Type | Bronze statue |
| Material | Bronze |
| Opening date | 1977 |
| Dedicated to | Ferdinand Marcos |
National Historical Landmarks | |
| Type | Structure, Monument |
| Designated | September 10, 2017; 8 years ago (2017-09-10) |
| Region | Ilocos Region |
| Marker | 2017 |
Daytoy ti Bannawag (English:This is the Dawn), also known as theFerdinand Marcos Monument, is a public statue located at the city plaza ofBatac,Ilocos Norte,Philippines. It depicts former Philippine presidentFerdinand Marcos and was inaugurated in 1977. The work is attributed to Italian modernist sculptor Giuseppe Marinucci (1925–1981), and is the only known statue by him in the Philippines.[1]
It should not be confused with theBust of Ferdinand Marcos inLa Union, a separate memorial completed in 1980 and later destroyed in 2002.[2]
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The monument is officially titledDaytoy ti Bannawag, which inIlocano translates toThis is the Dawn.[3] The phrase alludes to the idea of a “new beginning” or “awakening,” reflecting Marcos’s portrayal of his presidency as ushering in a period of national renewal. Critics, however, argue that the title functions as political propaganda, framing the authoritarian period under martial law as a dawn of progress rather than a time of repression.[4]
The monument was originally installed beside theFerdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center in Batac. It was subsequently transferred to the city plaza, where it stands today.[5]
The work is attributed to Italian modernist sculptorGiuseppe Marinucci (1925–1981), who was active in Rome in the mid-20th century. Marinucci produced a range of figurative and religious bronze works, often characterised by simplified human forms and monumental scale.[6] Daytoy ti Bannawag is the only known statue by Marinucci in the Philippines, making it a unique example of his international output.[7]
Scholars have noted that such monuments formed part of the Marcos regime’swider cult of personality, aimed at cultivating myths of national revival and strength under martial law.[8]
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In 2017, the monument was relocated and renovated as theNational Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) unveiled a historical marker for Ferdinand Marcos on 11 September to coincide with the centenary of his birth.[7][9] The marker formally recognises Marcos’s birth in Sarrat and his political career, but it has drawn criticism from historians and advocacy groups for contributing to state-sponsored historical distortion, as it omits references to human rights abuses, censorship, and corruption during his rule.[10]
Since assuming office in 2022, PresidentBongbong Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos’s son, has led annual wreath-laying ceremonies at the site every 11 September, now officially commemorated asMarcos Day inIlocos Norte.[11]
The monument, along with the annual Marcos Day commemorations in Ilocos Norte, has been the subject of controversy. Critics argue that such state-supported practices glorify an authoritarian regime responsible for corruption andhuman rights violations.[12]
According to a study by theUniversity of the Philippines Third World Studies Center (UP TWSC), the monument is one of 143 sites across Luzon dedicated to or named after Marcos and his family.[13] These are concentrated in the Ilocos Region and the National Capital Region, forming what scholars describe as a “landscape of memory” that reinforces the family’s political presence.[14]
The installation of the NHCP marker in 2017 was criticised by historians, civil society groups, and victims of themartial law regime, who described it as an act of state-sanctionedhistorical distortion.[7] The unveiling coincided with the Marcos centennial, which was marked by family-led ceremonies despite continuing public opposition.[15]
Legislation declaring 11 September as a special holiday in Ilocos Norte has also been contested in Congress and in public debate. Opponents argue that it legitimises the commemoration of Marcos despite his record of authoritarian rule, while proponents justify it as a matter of local tradition.[16]
Scholars and civic groups argue that these monuments perpetuate historical distortion by portraying the Marcos regime in a favourable light while ignoring or minimising martial law-era abuses.[17] The persistence of such memorials has been linked to the continued political influence of the Marcos family in Ilocos Norte and their rehabilitation in national politics, culminating in the election ofBongbong Marcos aspresident in 2022.[18]
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