UP Cebu ‘1081 Exhibit’ tackles AI, tech in historical distortion 

The University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu’s Communication Program launched the 1081 Exhibit 2026 under the theme “Ang Kamatuoran Taliwala sa Kangitngit” (The Truth Amidst the Darkness) on September 16, centering this ninth installment on combating how artificial intelligence and attention-driven digital platforms contribute to historical distortion and information manipulation. 

Marking the fifth UP system-wide Martial Law Day of Remembrance, the student-led initiative confronts the growing risks AI inaccuracies and corporate algorithm bias pose to collective memory.

Spearheaded by the Communicators of UP (COMMUP), the program serves as a crucial defense against historical revisionism and attempts to rebrand the Martial Law era as a “Golden Era” to justify political power returns.

Centerpiece events for the student-driven commemoration are scheduled on selected dates from September 7 to 21, 2026, featuring main exhibit activities from September 16 to 18 and culminating in a university-wide demonstration and candle-lighting activity on September 21. 

Educational discussions

Prior to the opening ceremony, main activities kicked off on September 1 with the Media Law Literacy Month Launch at the UP Cebu Library, followed by a series of 1081 Exhibit Educational Discussions (ED) across campus to build political awareness and historical context. 

Early sessions at the Admin Kiosk examined the First Quarter Storm on September 7 and the UP Cebu Situationer on September 11. 

Discussions then moved to the AS Building’s Old Student Council Office, focusing on the Anatomy of Philippine Politics on September 14 and the Social Basis of the Fascist State on September 15. 

Main events of the Exhibit

Commemoration programming went into full swing on September 16, with the All UP Academic Employees Union Cebu Chapter – Militante, Progresibo, ug Makinasudnong Unyonismo (MPMU) Orientation at UP Cebu AVR 1. 

Concurrently, the Performing Arts Hall hosted the official 1081 Exhibit Opening Program and Panel Discussion, alongside the unveiling of the Multimedia Exhibit at the Jose Joya Gallery.

Mid-week engagements expanded beyond the UP Cebu campus on September 17 for a film showing at the University of San Carlos (USC) Talamban Campus SAFAD Theatre, the only activity hosted off-site. 

All remaining events will return to UP Cebu, continuing the afternoon with an educational forum at the Performing Arts Hall. 

Activities on September 18 will feature a Public Forum of Lanog, the student publication of the College of Communication, Arts and Design (CCAD) at Lawak Sinehan, followed by an evening Cultural Night at the Admin Building. 

Protest and remembrance will converge on September 21 at Oblation Square, with a university-wide demonstration, leading directly into an evening candle-lighting activity.

Events associated with the commemoration will continue through late September in conjunction with Cebu Press Freedom Week. 

Behind the efforts

Vince Xyrex Aglosolos, Vice Chairperson for External Affairs of COMMUP, Partnerships Head for the 1081 Exhibit, and Cultural Night Program Co-Head stated that the organization’s biggest challenge during preparations was balancing strict time constraints with personal and academic demands.

According to Aglosolos, organizing the multi-day, system-wide initiative required extensive effort that began immediately upon taking office for the term.

“Nag-start na mi’g planning sa theme, unsay mahitabo, sa mga partnerships. Bisan gani naglisod gihapon mi sa time, I can say nga na-clutched jud namo siya, and we got a lot of partners, and our event programs are okay na, and naa na sad mi mga speakers,” Aglosolos said. 

(We already started planning the theme, what will happen, and the partnerships. Even though we still struggled with time, I can say that we really managed to pull it off, and we got a lot of partners, our event programs are set, and we also already have speakers.) 

He affirmed that despite the hectic schedule and conflicting priorities, the organizing body was fully prepared for this year’s 1081 Exhibit.

Originally founded at UP Cebu in 2018, the 1081 Exhibit derived its name from Proclamation No. 1081, which placed the Philippines under Martial Law in 1972. 

Following last year’s theme, “Ang Kamatuoran Sa Mata Nga Nagamatyag” (The Truth through the Eye that Closely Observes), which called on the public to safeguard the truths witnessed during the Martial Law era, the annual initiative continues to stand as a sustained effort to defend democratic principles and preserve collective memory in the face of modern challenges.