Bj Patino’s Apo on the Wall is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the complexities of life under Martial Law in the Philippines. Through the eyes of a child, the poem explores themes of authority, fear, and the lingering presence of history in the lives of ordinary people. The "Apo" in the title refers to former President Ferdinand Marcos, whose portrait hangs on the wall, symbolizing an omnipresent and oppressive power. The child's innocent perspective juxtaposes with the stern tone of the father, a military officer, whose loyalty to Apo reflects the unquestioning obedience demanded during that era. This contrast highlights how even the private spaces of a home were shadowed by the pervasive reach of the dictatorship. One striking element of the poem is its subtle critique of power dynamics. The father’s reverence for Apo shows how deeply ingrained authority was in the psyche of those who served the regime. Yet, through the child’s eyes, we also see the vuln...