EXACTLY 37 years ago, the world became witness to how the Filipino people resisted the reign of terror and used their tired but hopeful voices to oust a tyrant from his seat of power.

What happened on February 25, 1986 will constantly serve as a reminder to many Filipinos that once there was a time when the heavens heard the pleas of the abused and the helpless, with the stars conspiring to grant the Philippines what she had been deprived of — freedom.

READ: DECODE: How the EDSA People Power Revolution changed the course of history

READ: The importance of dissent, according to a Gen Z rights defender

While many still remember the events post-martial law, the Filipinos of the new generation weren’t on the streets when this pivotal event took place. But because of the availability of resources about the People Power and martial law online, Gen Zs are not empty-handed when it comes to factual and accurate information about this peaceful revolution.

READ: Curious about People Power? Here’s where you can read about the 1986 EDSA revolution

republicasia asked different Gen Zs of what the 1986 EDSA People Power means to them and how this historical movement has shaped the society they live in today.

EDSA Revolution means freedom

For college students Danielle Justiniano and Jenny Gerona, the 1986 People Power is equivalent to freedom.

“I might not [have been] there [during the EDSA Revolution] but knowing [that] these people have bravely fought for the freedom that they deserve is such a proud moment for me as a GenZ,” Jenny told republicasia.

The education student also mentioned that without the Filipino people who stood against tyranny on EDSA, she wouldn’t be able to freely express her thoughts and “silent protests” against the wrongdoings of the present and previous administrations.

Meanwhile, Danielle, an engineering student, said the EDSA Revolution is the “embodiment of true unity.”

This unity showed by those who marched along EDSA, according to the 22-year-old, has resulted in the freedom people have been basking in since 1986.

People Power is not red vs yellow

For Maureene Dancalan, the 1986 uprising was not a war between two families, but rather a story of the Filipino people who valiantly stood up against facism and grievances that inflicted pain on their countrymen.

“EDSA People Power 1 has always been a topic commonly discussed between two political families — the Aquinos and the Marcoses,” the psychology student said.

“However, to a Gen Z like me, it is a story of a battle cry among the Filipinos who fought against tyranny, oppression, and injustices back then,” she added.

Never again to martial law

Danielle is also reminded that it is not impossible to topple a dictator because the Philippines already made it possible 37 years ago.

“Nagiging constant reminder po [‘yung] EDSA People Power na we once stood fearlessly against dictatorship, and we will, again, if needed,” she said.

This is also what Excel Villanueva, another engineering student, told republicasia in an interview.

According to her, it is not impossible to oust an oppressor as long as the Filipino people share a collective stance against abuse and injustice.

“Ang EDSA People Power 1 ay isang paalala na hindi imposibleng magpatalsik ng isang mapang-abusong diktador kung magkakaisa at magsasama-sama ang mga tao,” said Excel.

She added that it helps people remember that the masses hold the true power to change the fate of the country according to their desires.

“Pinapaalala nito sa akin na nasa masa ang totoong kapangyarihang baguhin ang takbo ng bansang kinalalagyan nya kung gugustuhin at aaksyunan ito ng lahat o nakararami,” she continued.

Maureene also believes that through the EDSA revolution, Filipinos may be able to reflect and realize that what happened in the past should remain in the past — if the masses had succumbed to becoming victims during martial law, it should, in any way, never happen again in the present time.

The 22-year-old also underscored the importance of the public having a collective stance as it helps the country fight off atrocities and maltreatment of the Filipino people.

“It is also a collective lesson that teaches us how pertinent it is to have a collective stance against the atrocities occurring in our society,” she added.

Above all else, the EDSA revolution is a narrative that recounts the courage and hope of the Filipinos, that despite the uncertainties and anxieties they’ve battled, the roars of liberty and their unparalleled love for their nation became their source of strength to persist and resist the reign of terror.