National Artist Nick Joaquin coined the phrase Quartet of the Tiger Moon to encapsulate the historic four days of the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986, the momentous event that transpired 40 years ago which we commemorated yesterday, Feb. 25.

While memory serves, I wish to share with readers my recollection of those fateful days and nights.

That ‘quartet’ event occurred from Saturday night, Feb. 22, to Tuesday night, Feb. 25. It began with the announcement of the Enrile-Ramos defection and ended with the news that the Marcoses had fled from Malacañang to Clark, before flying onward to forced exile in Hawaii.

On Sunday morning, Feb.23, I drove with my wife and four-year-old daughter to the vicinity of Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame on Santolan that I reached directly from Manila through Sta. Mesa and New Manila. From there we proceeded to my parents’ home in Makati.

We had just eaten lunch when we learned over radio that a faceoff had taken place between Marines aboard armored personnel carriers and a throng of demonstrators assembled at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas.

That site is now occupied by the shrine of Our Lady of EDSA, a Church located next to the Robinson’s Galleria mall and what is now the Crowne Plaza hotel.

The standoff must have lasted for about three hours. Before sunset, the soldiers sent to disperse the crowd opted not to force their way. And who stopped them? Nuns and priests were the frontliners, along with civilians bearing statues of Mama Mary and clutching rosary beads. This was the scenario that is forever etched in the collective memory of all of us who witnessed or participated directly in that event.

On Monday, Feb. 24, helicopter gunships belonging to the Philippine Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing headed by Col. Antonio Sotelo were reportedly headed toward Camp Crame. Initial fears that they would conduct an air strike were supplanted by loud cheers of welcome. Col. Sotelo and his men had chosen to join the Enrile-Ramos forces.

This marked another significant turning point.

On Tuesday morning, Feb.25, two oathtaking ceremonies took place at about the same time.

One was at a balcony of Malacañan Palace; the other at Club Filipino in Greenhills, adjacent to Camp Crame. Ferdinand Marcos’ swearing-in was witnessed by his family and a clutch of supporters. Corazon Aquino’s oathtaking at Club Filipino attracted the EDSA demonstrators.

By evening of that day, the same President who took his oath in Malacañan had fled with his family to Hawaii; the woman who was sworn in near Camp Crame became the 11th President of the Philippines.

Today, my eight-year-old grandson is twice older than when his mother rode with us to Camp Aguinaldo on Feb. 23, 1986. Through his persistent questioning, I have shared with him the foregoing narratives several times.

A few weeks ago, we brought him to the vicinity of Malacañang Palace to enable him to visualize the places of historical interest where his grandfather once worked for two generations of President Aquinos.

Beyond remembering, I am compelled to introspect and ask: What have I learned in the past four decades that I could pass on to my grandson?

I now wish to convey to my grandson the insights I have learned.

First, be mindful of what goes on around you. Your parents and elders are your most dependable and reliable sources of meaningful information. From your inner circle of family and close friends, create new arcs of friendships that enable you to appreciate the importance of community.

Second, cultivate your love for reading about the history of your country and countries of the world. As you may have learned from your travel experiences in Asia and America, there is much to learn from and about Chinese, Japanese and other citizens of the world.

Third, persist in discovering new places of interest that expand your learning horizons. Thanks to your curiosity, we visited the TeamLab Borderless, TeamLab Planet, the Cup Noodle museum, and the place where they make mochi in Japan. Continue to direct our attention toward exploring previously uncharted horizons that broaden our appreciation of our world and universe.

I, the erstwhile teacher, have become the learner. And yes, it feels gratifying to have a grandson from whom I have learned and continue to discover new knowledge.

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