THE 37th commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution, the first under a Marcos presidency, should serve as a reminder that the Filipino people “can still do extraordinary things,” according to a youth group. 

Akbayan Youth also said there is a need to keep the spirit of EDSA alive while reminding Filipinos that they can still pursue their dreams. 

This is the first time that the Philippines commemorated the anniversary of 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution under the leadership of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. overthrown by the Filipino people during the peaceful demonstrations on EDSA in February 1986.

The Aquino family, who played key roles in events leading to the ouster of the Marcoses, said the spirit of EDSA remains alive to this day.

“It is that same spirit that guards and protects our democracy, confronting those who attempt to deceive us and undermine our rights and liberties,” the family said in a statement. 

The President, for his part, offered a “hand of reconciliation to those with different political persuasions to come together as one in forging a better society.” 

Marcos Jr. described the EDSA People Power Revolution as “a time in history that divided the Filipino people,” and said the country became united and stronger because of the experience. 

Marcos also offered a wreath at the EDSA People Power monument amid the commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Remembering EDSA

On Saturday, several Filipinos and progressive groups flocked to the EDSA People Power monument to remember the uprising that led to the new era of democratic government that Filipinos have today.

The 1986 EDSA People Power revolution is a series of demonstrations of millions of Filipinos calling for reform amid the violence and intolerance that happened during martial rule.

Justine Balane, 27, Chairperson of Akbayan Youth and one of the organizers of today’s events, said the first EDSA People Power commemoration following the return of the Marcoses to Malacañang shows that people have to keep EDSA spirit alive.

It should also remind them to pursue their dreams and that “they can still do extraordinary things,” Balane said.  

“EDSA is a realization of ordinary people ready to dream and aspire again, and the victory of Marcos back to Malacanang is one of the signs that the memory of EDSA really has to be kept aflame,” he told republicasia.

The challenges

But  ensuring that people, especially the youth, will understand the significance of the People Power revolution is not that easy.

Balane said that aside from the Marcose being back in power, another challenge  faced by youth movements now is how to make the commemoration relevant to the young people today, as the promises of EDSA have yet to be fully realized. 

There is a need to fix the present structural inequalities that affect poor Filipino families, he said. 

Never forget

The 27-year-old youth leader also said that groups should be able to engage with the public “creatively and culturally” to let them realize the significance of the commemoration, and so that they would not forget the essence of the EDSA People Power Revolution. 

But there is still a glimmer of hope. Balane said the recent Social Weather Stations survey which revealed that 62 percent of Filipinos believe the spirit of the EDSA People Power revolution still lives is “a sign of hope to keep the aspirations of EDSA alive.”

He said Filipinos can expect that even after the anniversary celebration, more initiatives would be conducted to educate the younger generation about the significance of studying and remembering Philippine history.

“Nothing can change the historical fact that on February 25, it’s the anniversary of when ordinary working class Filipinos took control of their future and their aspirations beyond the historical abuses and the poor state that the country was in during the Marcos dictatorship,” he said.

During the celebration, they organized the “Tao sa Tao” program where participants shared their experiences about EDSA People Power and gave away leaflets that tackle the historical events that transpired during the People Power uprising.

“We have to be able to engage with them creatively, culturally, we need to be able to speak to them in their language and reach out to them wherever they are present to make sure na hindi nila makakalimutan ang message ng commemoration under Marcos administration,” he said.

EDSA is about people’s heroism

The Aquino family paid tribute to the  “heroism of the Filipino people” in fighting for the restoration of Philippine democracy, adding that the peaceful uprising showed that “it was possible for a courageous and truly unified people to reclaim the freedom that a dictatorship had denied them.”

“Nakikiisa tayo sa lahat ng mga tumututol sa pagbalik ng diktadurya at sa pagrerebisa sa ating nagkakaisang alaala. Nakiiisa tayo sa lahat ng naglilingkod para sa isang mas maginhawa at mas malayang bukas para sa ating bansa. Nakikiisa tayo sa lahat ng kumikilos para isabuhay ang diwa ng EDSA. Walang duda: buhay ang diwa ng EDSA,” it said. 

The late Corazon Aquino assumed office in 1986 following the removal of the late strongman Marcos Sr. from the presidency.