EDSA People Power Revolution

With the son now in Malacañang 37 years after the February 25, 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution toppled his father, dictator Marcos Sr., it will be interesting to watch how this year’s anniversary will turn out.

Presidential Proclamation No. 42 was amended very late Thursday evening through Proclamation 167 which moved the February 25 holiday to February 24 for “our countrymen to benefit from a longer weekend as long as the historical significance of the EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary is maintained."

Was the motive really to remember the historic People Power Revolution or was it intended for Filipinos to focus on the long weekend holiday instead? Or to forestall protest like the anti-Kadiwa Dam Protest rally?

Will there be anti- and pro-Marcos rallies and other forms of protest anniversary events at EDSA and elsewhere throughout the nation today?

Who will join the rallies/events? Which group will have more participants?

Who will be the prominent personalities at the anti and pro-Marcos events today?

Will the so-claimed 31 million Marcos Jr.’s voters take to the streets nationwide and abroad?

Will there also be anti-Marcos activities among overseas Filipinos for this year’s People Power anniversary?

Leading to this day, Ateneo University Press, in cooperation with other organizations, shared a line-up of events for Filipinos to “remember the legacy of EDSA People Power Revolution and to help collectively reclaim EDSA as a historical event.”

Last February 21, Ateneo de Manila launched “Martial Law in the Philippines: Lessons and Legacies, 1972-2022” held at the Ateneo School of Government and online.

Edited by Edilberto C. de Jesus and Ivyrose S. Baysic, the book carries essays written by various authors like professors Mary Racelis, Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong, and Jayeel S. Cornelio of Ateneo de Manila University.

Yesterday, February 24, JC Punongbayan’s book, “False Nostalgia: The Marcos Golden Age Myths and How to Debunk Them” was launched at the School of Economics, University of the Philippines.

Using “hard facts and data, the book deep dives into various aspects of the Marcosian economy and presents rebuttals for every common myth or misconception about Marcos Sr.’s martial law and its economic aspects.”

The following discussants also joined this book launch: Maria Serena “Maris” Diokno for a historical perspective, journalist/author Marites Danguilan Vitug for journalism, and economist and UP Professor Emeritus Emmanuel de Dios.

Also, a digital edition of “People Power: An Eyewitness History: The Philippine Revolution of 1986” was launched.

This photo book has “statements by participants and observers of the non-violent people power revolution, capturing the Filipino people’s awakening.”

The 247 pictures in the book, many taken by amateurs, show and describe events chronologically, from Ninoy Aquino’s return to Manila in August, 1983 and ending with his widow, Cory Aquino addressing an “ecstatic” crowd.

Included in this photo book are the historic “shots of citizens guarding ballot boxes against government goons, crowds shielding reformist soldiers from loyalist task forces and people attempting to disarm the Marcos troops with flowers.”

For those interested, an EDSA anniversary book sale will be offered from February 25 to February 27 by Lazada and Shopee stores.

All these events have been lined up so the Filipino people will always remember not to forget this historic event of 1986 when Filipinos demonstrated to themselves and to the whole world that a peaceful People Power revolution genuinely removed Marcos Sr. and ended his abusive authoritarian regime.

May the Filipino people remember the truth, the facts, not the myths and lies, about the February 25th People Power Revolution at EDSA in 1986.

May more Filipinos continue to carry and pass on the legacy of this authentic historic event.

May Filipinos always strive to fight for truth and freedom for our people and our country.