‘The best rosary I’ve ever had’

Sister Teresita "Terry" Burias keeps a rosary that has a divine and historic significance to Filipinos. It was the one she used in leading the prayer during the first people power revolt which toppled the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos exactly 20 years ago.

"It was the best rosary I ever had in my entire life. We were in front of a crowd of people facing military cannons that were ready to shoot us," Burias said in narrating to The STAR her experience during the four-day vigil on Ortigas in EDSA.

Burias, a member of the Daughters of St. Paul, is now at a convent in Baguio City but she said the historic event was still fresh in her mind and, indeed, could never be forgotten.

The nun recalled joining the people who trooped to Cubao in EDSA on Feb. 22, 1986 to protest the dictatorship upon the call of then Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.

But before joining the massive street protest, Burias said they had already demonstrated their disapproval of the brutal Marcos regime by fasting for days.

"We gathered in Cubao (Quezon City) where we were met by six trucks of Marines. Then we marched to Ortigas after learning that tanks and cannons arrived there," Burias said.

She admitted being fearful with every step she took. "But what I could not explain was the inner calmness I felt when we started praying. Up to now, I still cannot figure where it came from."

As expected, the protesting people led by nuns and priests were soon face to face with armed troops loyal to Marcos.

Burias then brought out her rosary and started leading a prayer with companion Sister Porferia "Pingping" Ocariza.

"At that point, I did not care about dying as long as I died with the people," she stressed.

In a separate interview, Ocariza admitted that she also feared for her life while saying the response to the rosary in front of tanks. "But I wasn’t hysterical, just like most people with us. I also felt that inner calmness in me."

Ocariza recalled the crowds asked them to stay in front of the sea of humanity to block the tanks "because they said we don’t have family anyway, so it would be okay."

"While we were on the fifth or sorrowful mystery, the part on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a helicopter suddenly appeared. It was only later we learned that the chopper was meant to disperse us through grenades," she said.

The Air Force officers who manned the helicopter later told the nuns that they saw the people form the shape of the Cross. "And then they told me they saw the faces of their wives and children," Ocariza narrated.

Both nuns said they saw many signs of miracles during their vigil on EDSA — signs that sustained their courage and strength in leading the prayers of a crowd that was weeping with tears of fear.

"There were those who told us they saw a woman with a beautiful face in front of us during our prayer. Iba daw talaga ‘yung mukha nu’ng babae. Siguro nga si Blessed Mother yun," narrated Ocariza, who is now at a convent in Davao City.

Burias, for her part, said the miracles she saw were the "togetherness of priests, nuns, and civilians and the giving up of themselves for the love of God and their country."

"The faith of the Filipino people was really there. Together, we were able to prevent the conflict between military officers who had contrasting beliefs," she added.

Burias said when the peaceful revolution ended on Feb. 25, a Tuesday, the people approached and congratulated them "because they said they found courage in the prayer we led."

"We don’t consider ourselves heroes. Simpleng tao lang kami (We’re just ordinary people.) God used us as His instruments to help the people fight for their freedom," she stressed.

The nuns said the best example of bloodless revolution was shown in the unity of the Filipino people from all walks of life who shared their food and water during the four-day vigil.

The country is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the revolt that restored democracy to the country and inspired other nations to overthrow authoritarian regimes in Eastern Europe, eventually bringing down the Berlin Wall.

Various events have been organized by Roman Catholic Church to commemorate the historic revolution. Retired bishops concelebrated a Mass and distributed gifts to old and retired priests last Sunday.

On Friday, Bishop Gabriel Reyes of the diocese of Antipolo, will preside a 5:30 p.m. Mass, which will be followed by the launching of the Shrine’s Pilgrims’ desk, a procession and the traditional barrio fiesta (town celebration).

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales will be the main celebrant at the anniversary Mass at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow.