MANILA, Philippines — Former President Fidel Ramos challenged Filipinos on the eve of the 35th anniversary celebration of the Edsa uprising to “keep ablaze the flame of nationalism and continue to embody the unparalleled spirit of the People Power revolution.”

“The revolution is not over and the work remains unfinished until every Filipino enjoys the freedoms and rights embodied in our Constitution, our democracy secure, and we regain our seat at the table of the community of nations,” Ramos, one of the key figures in the 1986 event, said in a statement.

The celebration on Thursday would be as simple as last year’s 12-minute program and with fewer people expected due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Celebration theme

This year’s theme is: “Edsa 2021: Kapayapaan, Paghilom, Pagbangon (Peace, Healing, Recovery),” apparently referring to national efforts in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the event “will have minimal attendees, adhering to the prescribed health standards or guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force (for the Management of) Emerging Infectious Diseases.”

Last year’s program lasted only 12 minutes and reduced to flag-raising and wreath-laying rites without the usual speeches by personalities.

Ramos, now 92, has been absent from the rites in the last two years due to health reasons, but on Wednesday, he stressed the importance of celebrating the Edsa uprising in his statement.

“The 1986 revolution remains our nation’s resplendent moment for it represents the best of Filipinos,” he said. He described it as “our opportunity to make things right, to do things right, for what we hold in our hearts as true and just.”

According to Ramos, the nation owes future generations the true story of Edsa 1986 and its legacy.

“Our nation’s destiny remains uncertain but her history is evidence that we always succeed in achieving our shared aspirations when we work together,” he said.