ILOILO City – Tonight at exactly 9:25 p.m., churches throughout the Archdiocese of Jaro will rill their bells to mark the 36th anniversary of the February 1986 People Power Revolution.
Why 9:25 p.m.?
It was the time 36 years ago when President Ferdinand Marcos fled the country together with his family and cronies, thus ending 20 years of dictatorship.
Prior to the tolling of bells, a “freedom rally” will be held at the provincial capitol grounds starting at 8 p.m. – the start of a “freedom countdown” to 9:25 p.m.
“We want to remember. We don’t want to forget. And we don’t want it to change,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
There will be a noise barrage, too, and fireworks display.
According to Defensor, this year’s celebration is “meant to safeguard the truth of history during the Martial Law years, and remember the struggle for freedom and democracy during those times,”
“People Power did not only happen in EDSA but all over the country and also in Iloilo,” he pointed out.
In compliance with a Department of Interior and Local Government memorandum mandating the celebration, Defensor on Monday issued Executive Order (EO) No. 165 detailing commemorative activities in the province.
“All government agencies, establishments, sectors and households are enjoined to participate in the People Power Noise Barrage, and all churches are earnestly requested to ring their church bells,” the EO stated.
After the noise barrage and fireworks display, vehicles joining the “freedom rally” will disperse for a motorcade to different points in the province and city of Iloilo.
“May this commemoration revive the spirit of this historic event that is a truthful witness of the nation’s struggle and victory for truth, freedom and democracy,” according to the Archdiocese of Jaro’s Commission on Social Communication in a statement.
The archdiocese has 92 parishes.
Governor Defensor said he would invite his predecessor and father, former governor Arthur Defensor Sr., and Iloilo City’s Major Jerry Treñas to the “freedom rally” and countdown. Both men served as opposition leaders during the Martial Law period.
He also clarified that the People Power commemoration is an official event and is free of political color.
It is an event “to preserve the legacy of People Power as an ultimate assertion of the will of the people that charted the course of the country’s history and restored democratic institutions,” he said.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is spearheading the celebration of the 36th EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary with the theme “EDSA 2022: Pagtutulungan Tungo sa Sama-Samang Pagbangon mula sa Pandemya.”
Minimum public health standards and safety protocols will be strictly observed during the event, stressed the governor. (With reports from the Philippine News Agency and Capitol news)/PN
