So we asked our respondents: What historical event would you have wanted to be part of? And what event did you actually participate in? CORA J. MANIMBO, fashion designer: Even if it doesn’t mean anything anymore to a lot of people I will always remember being part of the Edsa Revolution. It’s where I met my husband Bernie.
RICKY DAVAO, director, Aktor ng Dekada Award winner given by PMPC Star Awards: I was part of the Edsa 1 People Power Revolution, for which I am glad. I can still remember the feeling I got when we saw the first plane leave and we thought it had Marcos in it, we were so happy. The best traits of the Pinoy came out.
I would have wanted to have been part of the first Philippine Independence because it was the first time we were granted independence. Three hundred years of Spanish rule and right after that the Americans – I’m curious about how the people felt then.
JESSIE SINCIOCO, chef, Le Souffle: I was part of the First People Power Revolution. I personally witnessed God’s greatest manifestation of His love for the Filipinos. It created a worldwide awareness that even the worst political problems can be resolved through peaceful means.
Ambassador NIDA VERA, Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican: It was the Edsa Revolution because during that time everybody was afraid what then president Marcos might do. But through the grace of God, we had a peaceful revolution which brought new hope to our country.
Former Tourism Secretary RICHARD GORDON, K4 Senatorial candidate: God has blessed me with the opportunity to have been part of many events that have shaped our country. In 1971, I was part of the Constitutional Convention, and as the youngest delegate, swore in Diosdado Macapagal, as president of the Concon. When Mount Pinatubo erupted, we were right in the midst of things, taking the lead in saving the lives of many Filipinos. When the US bases withdrew in 1992, we watched the American flag come down for the last time, and the largest ever Philippine flag was hoisted over Subic, signaling the start of our participation in the historic effort to reclaim the Freeport and turn it into the nation’s showcase of prosperity and development. It was a big challenge for the young volunteers, many of who came from the best educational institutions and corporations both here and abroad, to build the future of Subic and the Philippines.
Perhaps an event I would have wanted to be a part of was the Battle of Imus during the Philippine Revolution, during which my great grandfather, Col. Jose Tagle, turned the tide of the revolution by repelling Spanish forces in Cavite. It was the first victory for the Philippines in the revolution. This buoyed the spirits of the eight Philippine provinces who, little by little, were losing hope of winning. It is perhaps because of this heritage that we are compelled to play a role in turning things around for our country and our people.
ANTON BARRETTO, owner, Cereo Candles and Pineapple: I would have wanted to personally witness the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. For me it signified the beginning of peace and unity for a people who were long divided by fear, hate and politics. Sometimes it takes something dramatic to institute change. I hope we, like the Germans, can institute a positive change for our nation.
MERLINA MERTON, feng shui expert: The only one I can think of and which I was part of was Edsa 1, which was a really fantastic event that was extremely inspiring. I managed to spend one night there. There was so much energy, so much love. I had the good fortune of being where I wanted to be. It showed what man is capable of.
ANTHONY SUNTAY, sportscaster, Adidas Sports Camp manager: I would have wanted to be there when they buried the Yamashita Treasure. Seriously though, since I’m an avid sports buff, I would have wanted to be in Greece for the very first Olympics because I’ve read about what a beautiful occasion it was. It was after that when sports was elevated to a higher level.