PAGBABAGO Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid Again, it is time to recall the momentous events that led to the 1986 People Power Revolution. We who had joined protest rallies, vigils, prayer meetings, boycotts and other activities which had contributed to the gripping four-day phenomenon that ended a dictatorship, never stopped wondering how the Filipino people did it. Except to conclude that everything that happened was short of a miracle! My memories have of course been associated with the people and events around our neighborhood. At that time and for the next 43 years, we resided less than a kilometer away from the center of the four-day event. Our house, situated in Barangay Horseshoe was proximate to Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo. We marched arm-in-arm with friends, Ofie, Myrna, and the other ladies of Horseshoe Village with the “parliamentarians of the streets” during the martial law days. And we did this for about two years before EDSA. We walked from our village to Santo Domingo Church where we met the rest of the group and marched together to the Quirino Grandstand. I remembered the many times when we had to run fast as water canons were being aimed at us. Andy, my husband, was always prepared with a basin of warm water to soothe my tired bruised feet. And realizing how volatile the situation was, our goodbyes were often made with the knowledge that we may not see each other again. It was during those times when suspected militants who were active in anti-martial law activities were being harassed, intimidated or “invited.” On that fateful Saturday afternoon when news about resignations of both Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and AFP Vice-Chief Fidel V. Ramos arrived, we were at a meeting with Manindigan!, a group organized by some business and academic professionals. The meeting was about preparing the logistics of the boycott of business corporations owned by cronies of President Marcos. The call to gather at EDSA was made by Cardinal Sin. The following morning, our ladies from Horseshoe Village brought sandwiches and drinks to EDSA where about a million had already gathered. It was a lively sight as some had brought guitars as they sang patriotic songs to allay fears and panic that may arise. Yellow ribbons were tied around tents and cars. Powerful images were caught by cameras: A young lady offering flowers to a marine; a nun giving a rosary to a soldier. These stirring images were seen by the entire world including the people of Czechoslovakia who were inspired by our model in their Velvet Revolution which followed not too long after. It was early Tuesday when news arrived that a tank would be entering Santolan (now Boni Serrano) fronting Horseshoe Drive and C. Benitez, a few meters away from our house. The entire village was mobilized as we formed human and car barricades to block the entrance at Santolan. For five hours, we waited. Nothing happened. Then came the announcement on Radio Veritas that Marcos had left the country. Our entire village celebrated. When we reached home, we found three bullets that had pierced the wall of our garage. I still keep them together with other mementos of the four-day vigil at EDSA. My email, [email protected]