- It was the end of martial law -- Marie, 24
- Let's continue to remind others -- Kennette, 22
- It's one of the reasons why we are free -- Charlie, 26
- It's a holiday, says Angie, 24, and Reynilyn, 20
- It was a commotion -- Daniella, 22
- Remembering Ninoy and Cory Aquino -- Annie, 23
(officialgazette.gov.ph /MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
On Feb. 25, the country will pause for a holiday to commemorate the EDSA People Power Revolution and to reflect on how a peaceful movement brought democracy back to the Philippines after 14 years of martial law under the late former president Ferdinand E. Marcos.
The People Power Revolution, which lasted for four days, took the attention of the world because of the non-violent form of revolt where millions of Filipinos gathered along EDSA in Metro Manila which the Official Gazette (2016) describes "as a demonstration of discontent that began with the parliament of the streets during Marcos’ totalitarian rule and as immediate response to the rigged results of the snap elections.”
Thirty-seven years after that event, what do the young generation know – or think – of People Power Revolution?
Manila Bulletin asked eight Filipinos in their early 20s about how that event should sit in Philippine history.
‘MY MOTHER SAW THE RALLIES’
A 23-year-old Medical Technology student from National University, Sofia Salvador, was proud to say that her mother witnessed the People’s Power Revolution.
“My mom saw the rallies and told me there were huge crowds of people. There were also people who were giving food to rallyists,” Salvador said in Filipino.
“Imbes na makalimot, sana alalahanin natin at maging proud tayo sa katapangan ng mga Pilipinong lumaban para sa kapwa nila. bayani sila kung tutuusin kasi niligtas nila tayo sa kalupitan ng diktador (Instead of forgetting, I wish we Filipinos would remember and be proud of those who fought for their fellow countrymen. They should be considered heroes because they saved us from dictatorship),” she said.
‘THE END OF MARTIAL LAW’
Marie (who declined to give her family name), 24, who works at a call center, said: “Sa panahon na ‘yon, doon din nag-end ‘yung martial law. Kung ‘di dahil sa People Power, maraming tao pa rin naghihirap dahil sa martial law (That was the time martial law finally ended. If it were not for People Power, many people would still be suffering).
To her, the images that come with People Power are: The courage and kindness of nuns who gave flowers to military men despite the presence of armored tanks and firearms; and thousands of Filipinos uniting to oust the dictator without bloodshed.
‘CONTINUE TO REMIND OTHERS’
Kennette Kye Agullana, a 22-year-old law student from San Beda University, related what she knew about martial law and what caused People Power.
“At these times when people forget the past too easily, we should strive and continue to remind others about the truth of the past and its gruesome reality,” Agullana said in Filipino.
“Many lives were lost during martial law. Building infrastructures alone cannot conceal the human rights violations,” she said apparently referring to what others have called martial law as the “golden era” for the many structures built during the regime.
REMEMBERING NINOY AND CORY
Annie Endonila, a 23-year-old freelance artist from Makati, recalled Ninoy and Cory Aquino when asked about the People Power Revolution. She points to the assassination of Ninoy Aquino upon his arrival at the Manila International Airport Filipinos as the beginning of that peaceful revolution.
“Of course, dapat natin maalala yan. Maraming namatay para lang ipaglaban natin ang ating kalayaan sa rehimen ng diktador (Of course, we should remember it. Many people died just to fight for freedom),” she said.
She said the threat of historical revisionism should motivate people to reflect on the past.
‘WE HAVE FREEDOM’
Charlie Magne Decena, 26, a call center agent, said that since the 1986 People Power Revolution which has always been commemorated for years as the event that restored the freedom of Filipinos, it should remain as a day remembered by all.
“Isa sa rason bakit tayo malaya (It is one of the reasons why we’re free),” Decena said on the value of remembering it.
‘JUST A HOLIDAY’
There were others though who did not have an answer to the question on what People Power is all about. Daniela, 22, said Feb. 25 is a holiday where employees can either go to work for extra pay or not go to work. She described the People Power Revolution as a “commotion” but agreed that the event should still be commemorated every year.
Like her, Reynilyn, 20, and Angie, 24, could not say much about the event except that it is a holiday and should still be remembered.
The celebration of the 37th EDSA People Power anniversary can give Filipinos a chance to look back at how history was written by peace, patriotism, and a call for change. (Patricia Dela Roca)