EVERY February 25, the country commemorates the anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution, the bloodless demonstration that took millions of people to the streets to call for the end of the Marcos dictatorship.
Kids nowadays may just know it as a holiday; a no-class, no-work day. But back then, the crucial moments of February 22-25, 1986 were what freed the country from the two-decade, iron fist rule of the former dictator.
Majority of the demonstrations happened along the stretch of EDSA. It was attended by over two million civilians, including political, military and religious groups who were all eager to reclaim democracy.
It was the revolt that successfully pushed the Marcos family out of Malacañang and out of the country.
For the young ones who want to see how it really was back then, here are some films and documentaries that showcased the crucial moments of the famous EDSA People Power Revolution:
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- A Dangerous Life
This 1988 Australian television show talks about the love affair and journey of an American foreign correspondent filmed during the final years of the Marcos dictatorship.
The story touched on the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1983, leading to the People Power Revolution in 1986, as well as other key events that led to the ouster of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.. It starred Tessie Tomas as Former First Lady Imelda Marcos and Laurice Guillen as former President Cory Aquino.
- Imelda documentary
“Imelda” is a 2003 documentary about the life of the former first lady. Beginning with her childhood, the film documents her marriage to the future president of the Philippines, her rule and role in the dictatorship, until her family’s exile and return to the country.
- Liway
“Liway” is a 2018 independent film which talks about the experiences of Dakip, a young boy who grew up in a prison as the son of anti-Marcos dissident Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, better known as Commander Liway.
The film was set during the waning days of the Marcos dictatorship..
- Ako si Ninoy
The musical film “Ako si Ninoy” opened in cinemas on Wednesday, exactly a week before the premiere of the Marcos film “Martyr or Murderer.”
Despite the title, the movie is not a biopic of the late senator. Instead, it features eleven ordinary Filipinos whose lives resonated with that of Aquino.
- Batas Militar
Billed as “Batas Militar: A Documentary on Martial Law in the Philippines,” this work talks about martial law under President Marcos and the ouster movement against him, which culminated in the EDSA People Power revolution.
It featured human rights violations during martial rule, the country’s economic status under Marcos’ command, and the lives of the late dictator, the former First Lady Imelda Marcos, and the martyred Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
- The Final Hours: EDSA People Power Revolution | Need to Know
Old photographs, video and news clippings exposing the final hours of the revolution were featured in a 9-minute documentary by GMA.
Historian and defense analyst Jose Antonio Custodio and Professor Ed Garcia, who is one of the framers of the 1987 constitution, explained the moments leading up to the victory of the Filipino people.
- EDSA 20 ‘Isang Larawan’
EDSA 20 ‘Isang Larawan’ is a 52-minute Inquirer-produced documentary made to mark the 20th anniversary of the peaceful revolt.
It featured actual people from both the Marcos and Aquino camps, including army colonel Gringo Honasan, then radio anchor June Keithley, former air squadron commander Charles Hotchkiss, singer-songwriter Jim Paredes, and Srs. Terry Burias and Ping Ocariza.
- 1986 People Power EDSA History
Produced by the Department of National Defense, this 25-minute documentary provides a glimpse into the military side of the revolt.
Among the personalities who shared their stories were Captain Alex Sembrano (son-in-law and military aide to General Fidel Ramos), former minister for national defense Juan Ponce Enrile and his daughter Katrina Enrile, Philippine Navy commodore Rex Robles, and more.
- I-Witness: “Byaheng EDSA” by Howie Severino
Aired in 2006, award-winning broadcast journalist and documentarist Howie Severino studied the changes that happened in EDSA since the 1986 revolution in this 33-minute documentary.
- Coup d’Etat: The Philippines Revolt
Produced by Australian network ABC News and Public Affairs, the 57-minute documentary chronicles the moments that led up to the exile of the Marcos family and the victory of the Filipino people.
It to showed raw footage from the demonstration as well as discussions on why it became successful.
