Through occasional news reports, he and his elder brother Romulo began becoming aware of the abuses of the Marcos regime, which led to them having regular discussions at their house with friends after school.

[1] He was particularly keen on activist drama - helping to organize and present street plays, leading in the singing of protest songs and the recitation of poetry in an effort to build awareness of the injustices inherent to Philippine society under the Marcos regime.

[6] After the political turbulence of 1970 and 1971 - which saw the FQS Protests, the Diliman Commune, the Plaza Miranda Bombing, and the suspension of the writ - the Palabay Brothers decided to take a break from their studies and go back home to San Fernando.

[3][6] Soon after the announcement of Martial Law, Armando and Romulo Palabay were both picked up by Marcos forces, and detained for half a year at Camp Olivas in Pampanga where they were both subjected to torture.

[8] He was honored that year alongside activists Manuel Bautista, Jennifer Cariño, and Jessica Sales, as well as entrepreneur Jaime V. Ongpin, and historian Renato Constantino.