Capitol invites Cebuanos to EDSA fete tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Government is inviting the Cebuano people to witness the Salubongan, or the reenactment of the EDSA People Power Revolution, tomorrow at the Capitol grounds.

Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera said the event is open to all those who want to join, and encouraged the people to wear can wear yellow shirts.

Yellow is the favorite color of Cory Aquino, the widow of Philippine hero Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. who was catapulted to the presidency by the memorable event.

 â€œIt is historic for Cebu to host the celebration 28 years after the EDSA event in 1986,” said Natera.

 President Benigno Aquino III, Ninoy and Cory’s son, is expected to deliver a speech during the activity.

Since the president is attending, security would be tight, with the portion of Osmeña Blvd. from Fuente Osmeña rotunda to the corner of N. Escario St. and the portion of N. Escario Street, from the corner of M. Velez St. to that of Gorordo Ave. would be closed starting at the noon today until the end of the activity tomorrow.

Cebu Vice Gov.  Agnes Magpale earlier said they are expecting at least 5, 000 people.

Aside from the president, his cousin Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, cabinet secretaries, and business group leaders are also expected to join in the celebration.

Actors Ogie Alcasid and Dingdong Dantes are also coming to add glamour to the celebration.

Natera said everything is set for the commemoration, which will be held in Cebu for the very first time.

“So far, the EDSA People Power Commission has been satisfied with the preparations. It will be the first time for the Davide administration to host an event like this but preparations are going on smoothly,” she said.

The event would start with a flag raising at 8 a.m., followed by Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III’s welcome address and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.’s opening remarks. President Aquino would then deliver his address.

 The Salubongan, where civilians give flowers to soldiers in EDSA during the bloodless revolution, would happen next.

 Dantes would portray the role of then Philippine Constabulary (now Philippine National Police) chief Fidel V. Ramos during the Salubong.

In the reenactment, Dantes, together with the “military”, would march from the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish (Capitol Parish) three blocks away to the Capitol grounds.

On the other hand, Senator Aquino and 3,000 University of Cebu, Cebu Normal University, and Cebu Technological University students would act as “civilians” and start their march from the vicinity of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 office also to the Capitol grounds, where the two groups would meet and give each other flowers and miniatures of Philippine flags.

 After the celebration, the president would then visit Bantayan town, one of the worst hit areas of super typhoon Yolanda, before going to Palo, Leyte.

Capitol department heads and working committees are convening today for a coordination meeting.

Davide, who just arrived from Japan, inspected the preparations at the Capitol yesterday, would lead the meeting.

Also, Provincial Chief of Security Loy Madrigal disclosed that access to the Capitol building is controlled starting today, while parking at the Capitol grounds tomorrow would no longer be allowed.

He, however, said those people in the guest list can gain access to the parking area.

He added that the Civil Security Unit would be working with military personnel and Presidential Security (PSG) Group in securing Capitol premises and controlling crowd.

Also, Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) appealed for respect and cooperation, acknowledging the possibility of protesters coming to the event.

 â€”/RHM (FREEMAN)