FREE ASEAN | FREE PHILIPPINES | EDSA PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION – Feb 25 1986 – “Flashback”

 

Over 4,000 people convened at the EDSA People Power Monument to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the People Power Uprising – when the Filipino people united to oust dictator and plunderer Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Multisectoral people’s alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN/New Patriotic Alliance) highlighted the importance of People Power especially now with the prevalence of disinformation.

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“Higit na makabuluhan ang pagbabalik-tanaw sa diwa ng pagbabalikwas sa EDSA dahil sa mas pinatinding disimpormasyon na pinapakalat ng pamilya Marcos na walang kahihiyang nais pa ring makabalik sa kapangyarihan kahit pinatalsik na sila ng taumbayan noong 1986,” the group said in a statement.

(Now more than ever is it meaningful to look back on the spirit of the EDSA Uprising because of the intensified disinformation being spread by the Marcos family who shamelessly want to return to power even if they were ousted by the people in 1986.)

A “teach-in” – a series of educational discussions – was done in White Plains Avenue educating people about the concrete conditions of the Marcos regime.

They also convened to celebrate the “widening mass movement of Filipinos who fight for genuine change.”

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“Okayson din ito para ipagdiwang ang sumusulong at lumalawak na pagkilos ng mamamayan para sa tunay na pagbabago, na hindi nagapi sa kabila ng papatinding atake ng pasistang rehimeng Duterte,” they added.

(This is also an occasion to celebrate the expanding people’s movement for genuine change, who refuse to be overpowered despite the worsening attacks of the fascist Duterte regime.)

A program was organized to retell the country’s situation during Martial Law, which was led by Martial Law victims, educators, workers, farmers, economists, and even lawyers.

Among the speakers included Martial Law survivors Boni Ilagan, Neri Colmenares, lawyers Ricky Tomotorgo and Howard Calleja, economist JC Punongbayan, labor leader Elmer “Bong” Labog, and peasant leader Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chair Jonathan de Santos, and Prof. Gerry Lanuza.

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Former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno gave a video message in solidarity, where she discussed Marcos-convicted cases. Senator Leila de Lima also gave a video message.

Included in the program were two satirical performances: (1) an impersonation of Willie Nepomuceno and Mae Paner as Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, where they sang “Dahil sa Iyo”, a song that the couple is fond of, and (2) a “live selling” of Marcos jewels.

The program concluded with the attendees singing “Bayan Ko” and taking a picture in front of the monument.

Mark Ernest Famatigan is a news writer who focuses on Philippine politics. He is an advocate for press freedom and regularly follows developments in the Philippine economy. The views expressed are his own.