Dissecting the political platforms of the candidates inspiring us for support as the best leader to shepherd the country in the next six years, one of them appeared seemingly fearless using the catch phrase “together we will rise up again” plastered on his billboard in strategic areas around the metropolis.

The slogan embedded with the unity message has awakened me about the underlying objective of EDSA People Power, its 36^th year we are celebrating today.

Brings me humming “Magkaisa”, a song composed by now Senate President Tito Sotto, one of the three signature songs associated with People Power. Unity was the very foundation of that eventful day in our country’s history – the ouster of the dictator and the exile of his family.

History be told: who actually caused the slide in the country’s regional standing; put the country in the whirlpool of financial quagmire; and sent the national coffers into bankruptcy by virtually using it as if it’s their wallet.

Where were you when EDSA happened? I was a wet-behind-the-ears journalist then with fear in my eyes but overwhelmed with a desire to participate. Former Pilipinas Shell President Ed Chua, then a mid-tier manager of their company, co-Rotarians Milet Belicena and Marivic del Pilar were there as well. 

Out of curiosity and undaunted by security and personal safety, the inherently radical Ms. Milet likewise went to the Camp Aguinaldo side of EDSA, which was surrounded by what she described as members of the moneyed sector. “Unmistakable with their demeanor and clothing – simple polo shirt (Ralph Lauren) and slacks but the wearer spelled the home address.”

Ms. Marivic recounted the happy days she spent at that time. “I had fun biking from Pasig to EDSA corner Robinsons, with my dad, and watching the crowd. I was having fun buying cotton candy and popsicle ice cream sold by ambulant vendors along the vacant areas near Robinson’s Galleria. But, I got scared of the Sikorsky helicopters and the airplanes. And even more scared as I heard bullets from EDSA as far as Pasig.”

The EDSA euphoria resonated throughout the world with global leaders and their people marveling at the unity effort to overthrow what history described as a corrupt government through a bloodless revolution.

The Philippines is recognized as the first nation to oust a leader through non-violent revolution through sheer civil disobedience. The country’s People Power Revolution became a model of people’s unity, replicated by a number of countries such as Czechoslovakia with its Velvet revolution.

As a continuing student of business and politics, I still am astonished at the game of politics. The turn of events, amazing! The current political developments made me wonder if the underlying principle of EDSA fading? The political family is back into the mainstream of society and the political arena.

And surprisingly, one of the main enablers of EDSA is now listed as among the senatorial candidates under the Uniteam. I guess this confirms the saying that in politics there are no permanent enemies, no permanent friends but only permanent interests.

Despite the twist in the political arena, the value of EDSA for Mr. Ed remains. However, on a scale of one to ten, ten being the highest, he rated the country, 36 years after, at three.

The spirit and symbol of EDSA – the burning desire to change for the better –should be “rekindled.” The ember must be reignited. “It’s always there but we have to rekindle it because we’re almost back to where we were.” Mr. Ed was emphatic as he was among those who participated in the three-day civil disobedience.

Through EDSA, the wheels of business, after being waylaid, churned back on track. Deregulation became the order of business from telecommunications to air transportation, to privatization of government-owned and controlled corporations, including the handover of the management of essential businesses to the hands of the private sector.

In hindsight, post EDSA, the economy grinds to a better path.

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