EDSA Revolution: A reminder for the old, a primer for the young
Published Feb 25, 2020 12:00 am
By Rizal Obanil
When we think about EDSA what often comes to mind is a “bloodless revolution” deemed by historians as responsible for unseating then-president Ferdinand Marcos.
A worker prunes the plants around the statue of Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. at the People Power Monument in Quezon City, ahead of the 34th anniversary of the former senator’s assassination on August 21, Monday. (Alvin Kasiban)
To an older generation that may be the case, but to some of the younger breed, EDSA People Power II was what they came to know as that “bloodless revolution” that saw then-president Joseph Estrada step down from office.
There was a time when the two historic events were recognized by government, causing some confusion to some who were not yet born or were not of a discerning age to know the difference between the two.
This article aims to serve as a refresher course for the older generation who may have forgotten some of their lessons in history, and a guide to the younger generation who quite possibly may not have witnessed any of the two EDSA revolutions, or were simply too young to care.
The tale of two EDSAs
To have a deeper understanding of the two historical events, it is important to know their similarities and differences.
First, EDSA 1 was the original People Power Revolution that happened from Feb. 22 to 25, 1986.
When we celebrated the “EDSA Revolution today (Feb. 25), we are in fact commemorating the event that occurred 34 years ago.
But when we refer to “EDSA II,” we are talking about events that happened from Jan. 16 to 20, 2001.
One more key difference between the two, aside from the fact that they are two decades apart, is that the first one toppled the Marcos administration while the latter unseated Estrada.
How are they alike
The two peaceful revolts got their names from the venue where they were staged -- that stretch of thoroughfare along EDSA and Ortigas Avenue, fronting the EDSA Shrine.
The two historic events are also alike because of the fact that both were spontaneous events, (although some may argue that EDSA II was planned), and by and large were rather peaceful protest actions.
They also share the same quality of having actually accomplished their goal, both EDSAs having been successful in unseating the then-ruling power.
What caused the two EDSAs
Many will go back and forth on what caused the two peaceful revolts but few will deny that both were manifestations of a people’s yearning for change.
Those against the first People Power would say it was merely caused by a need to protect then-Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and then-Philippine Constabulary chief (and later president) Fidel Ramos from perceived threats to their life.
The events that unfolded after the late Jaime Cardinal Sin made a radio announcement asking for people to come out and surround the place where the two prominent figures were, would show that it was much more than a need to protect Enrile or Ramos.
“Tama na, sobra na! Palitan na!” (Enough! It is too much! Replace him!) became the battlecry of those who participated in the massive demonstrations.
On the other hand, many believe EDSA II, also called “EDSA Dos,” was caused by an incident at the Senate when the senators were called to vote on whether or not to open the “Jose Velarde” bank account, which allegedly belonged to then-president Estrada.
The much-watched hearing ended with the majority of the senators voting not to open the controversial bank account.
Many of those who witnessed the hearing were moved upon seeing then-senator Loren Legarda crying after learning that those who voted “no” had succeeded in preventing government from opening the bank account.
Almost within minutes, news broke out that a group of people had gone to EDSA, with some motorists blaring their horns as they passed by, showing support for what was then perceived as a spontaneous protest action against the Senate decision.
Eventually, more people flocked to the historic thoroughfare, and the rest as they say is history.
Lessons of the past
They say that those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat it.
So far, there have been two EDSAs that have been successful in achieving their goal. A “third” EDSA supposedly was staged a few months after EDSA II ended but was unsuccessful in unseating the then newly-installed president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Some experts claimed that during that time, the Filipino people seemed too tired to go through another mass demonstration to bring about change in government.
Now, whether this observation still holds true to this day or if it was ever true to begin with, only time can tell.
For someone who has not only read about the two historic events but was actually among those who covered the events as a fledging field reporter, a lesson that can be had from it all is that if we put their hearts and minds to achieve a common goal, we can truly chart our own destiny, plot how we want the future to be, and what kind of country we want our children to inherit.
A worker prunes the plants around the statue of Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. at the People Power Monument in Quezon City, ahead of the 34th anniversary of the former senator’s assassination on August 21, Monday. (Alvin Kasiban)
To an older generation that may be the case, but to some of the younger breed, EDSA People Power II was what they came to know as that “bloodless revolution” that saw then-president Joseph Estrada step down from office.
There was a time when the two historic events were recognized by government, causing some confusion to some who were not yet born or were not of a discerning age to know the difference between the two.
This article aims to serve as a refresher course for the older generation who may have forgotten some of their lessons in history, and a guide to the younger generation who quite possibly may not have witnessed any of the two EDSA revolutions, or were simply too young to care.
The tale of two EDSAs
To have a deeper understanding of the two historical events, it is important to know their similarities and differences.
First, EDSA 1 was the original People Power Revolution that happened from Feb. 22 to 25, 1986.
When we celebrated the “EDSA Revolution today (Feb. 25), we are in fact commemorating the event that occurred 34 years ago.
But when we refer to “EDSA II,” we are talking about events that happened from Jan. 16 to 20, 2001.
One more key difference between the two, aside from the fact that they are two decades apart, is that the first one toppled the Marcos administration while the latter unseated Estrada.
How are they alike
The two peaceful revolts got their names from the venue where they were staged -- that stretch of thoroughfare along EDSA and Ortigas Avenue, fronting the EDSA Shrine.
The two historic events are also alike because of the fact that both were spontaneous events, (although some may argue that EDSA II was planned), and by and large were rather peaceful protest actions.
They also share the same quality of having actually accomplished their goal, both EDSAs having been successful in unseating the then-ruling power.
What caused the two EDSAs
Many will go back and forth on what caused the two peaceful revolts but few will deny that both were manifestations of a people’s yearning for change.
Those against the first People Power would say it was merely caused by a need to protect then-Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and then-Philippine Constabulary chief (and later president) Fidel Ramos from perceived threats to their life.
The events that unfolded after the late Jaime Cardinal Sin made a radio announcement asking for people to come out and surround the place where the two prominent figures were, would show that it was much more than a need to protect Enrile or Ramos.
“Tama na, sobra na! Palitan na!” (Enough! It is too much! Replace him!) became the battlecry of those who participated in the massive demonstrations.
On the other hand, many believe EDSA II, also called “EDSA Dos,” was caused by an incident at the Senate when the senators were called to vote on whether or not to open the “Jose Velarde” bank account, which allegedly belonged to then-president Estrada.
The much-watched hearing ended with the majority of the senators voting not to open the controversial bank account.
Many of those who witnessed the hearing were moved upon seeing then-senator Loren Legarda crying after learning that those who voted “no” had succeeded in preventing government from opening the bank account.
Almost within minutes, news broke out that a group of people had gone to EDSA, with some motorists blaring their horns as they passed by, showing support for what was then perceived as a spontaneous protest action against the Senate decision.
Eventually, more people flocked to the historic thoroughfare, and the rest as they say is history.
Lessons of the past
They say that those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat it.
So far, there have been two EDSAs that have been successful in achieving their goal. A “third” EDSA supposedly was staged a few months after EDSA II ended but was unsuccessful in unseating the then newly-installed president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Some experts claimed that during that time, the Filipino people seemed too tired to go through another mass demonstration to bring about change in government.
Now, whether this observation still holds true to this day or if it was ever true to begin with, only time can tell.
For someone who has not only read about the two historic events but was actually among those who covered the events as a fledging field reporter, a lesson that can be had from it all is that if we put their hearts and minds to achieve a common goal, we can truly chart our own destiny, plot how we want the future to be, and what kind of country we want our children to inherit.