Alejandro Ilagan Atienza, known professionally as Kim Atienza or Kuya Kim, recounted his dreadful experience during the regime of Ferdinand Marcos, the country’s president from 1965 to 1986.
Recently, on Twitter, Atienza shared two photos of an old newspaper which featured him in the news.
Based on the catchline of the newspaper, it reported that Atienza was locked in a bathroom of Manila Hotel and beaten up by four Marcos loyalists soldiers.
Aside from that, Atienza was also forced to admit he was a communist.
He shared, “Look what I found in my baul. #flashbackfriday 1986, In the failed Manila Hotel Coup d’ etat attempt.”
Despite experiencing so many close calls, the TV host was thankful that he is still alive today.
“I’ve had so many close calls and am still alive only by His grace. Thank you for this life Lord,” he wrote.
Look what I found in my baul. #flashbackfriday 1986, In the failed Manila Hotel Coup d' etat attempt.
I've had so many close calls and am still alive only by His grace. Thank you for this life Lord. pic.twitter.com/DS6jnEWI42
— kim atienza (@kuyakim_atienza) September 11, 2020
The failed Manila Hotel Coup d’ etat attempt in 1986 was one of the six plots devised to overthrow Philippine President Corazon Aquino which involved various members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Marcos’ authoritarian regime came under heavy criticism for its corruption and oppression of democracy in the country. The late dictator imposed martial law in 1972 which precipitated a large number of brutal killings of Filipinos.
Earlier, the House of Representatives approved House Bill (HB) 7137 which seeks to declare September 11 as “Marcos Day” in Ilocos Norte. This was viewed as a horrible move by many who believe that one of the most corrupt politicians in world history should not be celebrated.
