THIS day marks the 34th commemoration of the People Power Revolution. Eventful were those four long days of February 1986 when millions of Filipinos flocked along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Metro Manila, and in cities all over the country, to show resistance against the dictatorial regime of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
After 34 years, there’s a question looming in the outskirts of history: Is People Power still relevant, most especially in this generation?
Sabi ng bata sa EDSA
Panay News saved a space for these individuals, especially the #Millenials, to unbox their insights on People Power.
What is EDSA People Power Revolution to you?
“Language and thoughts are what set us apart from animals. I believe this is best demonstrated in EDSA, February of 1986. The Filipino people demonstrated a revolution without resorting to violence. Language and thoughts help humans dominate, because no matter neither what we choose to fight for nor how we want to fight, the battle is shaped by these.” – Paul Aries Valera, student journalist of Silak, College of Education, West Visayas State University
“The triumph of EDSA people power revolution has been a manifestation of how peaceful protest can change the status quo. For 20 years of enduring the autocratic regime of Ferdinand Marcos it has finally come to an end. After the successful revolution many social changes has prospered, most especially the restoration of democracy where Filipinos are not anymore reprimanded and can fully exercise their freedom of expression. And it is something we, the millennials, should continuously embody. As we commemorate the 34th anniversary of the EDSA revolution we may continue to be critical thinkers to challenge the current administration. Let us always remember that the fight our fellow Filipinos has started and it should not end in ousting the dictator Marcos but should always continue to protect the welfare of the people and of the generations to come.” – Marnell Sularan, Editor-in-Chief, Pagbutlak, Official Student Publication of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas
“#EDSA was an eye opener for us that it is possible for us to succeed a challenge, no matter how big, if only we unite and understand. Commemorating EDSA Revolution also reminds us that in times when our rights are threatened, we should not feel inferior. That reason why they try to silence us is because we are loud and right. And we have to keep on going with our fights, because they aren’t just for us, but the greater Filipino community.” – Adrian Camposagrado, Chairperson, University Student Council, University of the Philippines Visayas
“While social media is a powerful tool to amplify our voices, nothing beats collective physical presence on the streets to voice our dissent, especially when oppression is already spitting on our faces. The EDSA People Power Revolution is a reminder of what collective action can do. May we learn from its important lessons.” – Early Sol A. Gadong, Assistant Professor, UP Visayas and President of All UP Academic Employees Union Iloilo
“EDSA will always be a reminder to us that dictatorship and leaders who don’t deserve to be in their position will not always stay long in power as long as we always make noise, criticize, and voice out our disdain towards evil regimes. The same revolution may not happen again but there will always be other ways to stand up against an oppressive leadership. Now that we are seeing again an impending threat to our freedom, we must remember that EDSA revolution was not only an uprising on streets. It was sparked by songs, poems, films, and artworks that spoke for people who can’t speak for themselves, and who were hungry for peace. As artists and writers today, it is always our responsibility to safeguard our freedom from oppressive regimes and EDSA will always be our inspiration.” – Michael Caesar Tubal, Instructor, College of Education, West Visayas State University
“It was almost four decades since the 1986 EDSA revolution but its impact ripples up to this day. Freedom, dream and hope captures what EDSA I had done to me. Freedom liberates my mind and my soul and gives me the ability to love my neighbor and my country. A dream sprouted at the core of my being because I am not a puppet of oprression and dictatorship. The ability to dream led me to self-discovery and self-actualization. And lastly, no matter how difficult my situation is, I still hope that there is something beautiful to look forward to just like how people of all walks of life in EDSA I peacefully fought for what they truly deserve. Yes, for what their grandchildren and the next deserve – freedom, dream, and hope.” – Kim Luden Salinas, BA Broadcasting Graduate, West Visayas State University, Teacher at Ang Dios Gugma
Sabi ng “batangEDSA”
Panay News had a talk with Aileen Feolog, a woman in her 40s, as spilled to us her experiences during the 1986 revolution. Aileen, 10 at that time, told us about her father being the head of a union or a progressive group of company workers in the Metro.
At a very young age, Aileen saw how her father stood against the “oppressive administration.” She said everytime there are propagandas that “contradict the interests of the public,” her father and his comrades would stage protests. She shared how the media was repressed, how the rights of the people were tarnished at that time.
On the fateful day of culmination which is the 25th, Aileen was just that tiny child in the midst of the crowd. She’s just one of those daughters and sons with their mothers and fathers – alongside the church people, media men, workers, youth… people in millions – all gathered to “express their hunger for freedom.”
She saw hopeful faces of the masses – people from different of walks of life with different stories of pakikibaka – brimming with tears and shouts, as the yearning for overthrowing continues.
And for her, that day marked a golden lesson – the power of collective action.
Upon witnessing and experiencing EDSA spirit at first-hand, she told us “Basta maghulugpong lang ang tanan, wala gid sing imposible.”
These 34 years have already hinted some strokes and strains, so how can one forget this part of history? Bruised once but with a singular pull from the forces of the people, altered was the course of the past.
This generation has spoken. Maybe with or without them in that very epicenter, one thing remains unhidden – they remember./PN
