Tags: People Power and Edsa, Public Holidays and Celebration
By Marjorie Gorospe
MANILA, METRO MANILA — How well do people of this age remember EDSA 1 and its contribution to Philippine history?
The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Revolution first took place in 1986. It was also known as the People Power Revolution, a series of peaceful street demonstrations conducted to oust then-president Ferdinand Marcos who for years controlled the country through Martial Law.
As we recall it today, the current administration declared a non-working holiday on Monday, that day being the closest to a weekend and the February 25 celebration. This gave way for the Filipino community to honor the historical event which also inspired the non-violent demonstration against the communist dictatorships of Eastern Europe.
As I strolled around the streets of Manila, I asked some common folk about what they know about EDSA and what they think is its best contribution to our history.
Edwin Norasa, a parking guard near the City Hall, said that he was just a kid back then but he knew about the lives that were lost during martial law. As he was saying this, behind him was a tomb of the people who died under the Marcos regime located near the Bonifacio Shrine.
A group of students from the University de Manila said they remember EDSA because of the late president Cory Aquino. “We weren’t born yet at that time but the death of Cory Aquino last year gave way for us to have a much deeper understanding about it.”
Communication graduate Henrick Chiu said it was because of EDSA why we are freely exercising the freedom of assembly and of the press as well. “If not for EDSA, maybe we wouldn’t be enjoying the freedom to speak out and express ourselves — be it grievances against the government through art such as theater.”
56-year-old Nieves Suaverdez meanwhile, recalled the triumph of EDSA, witnessing an iron hand of the Marcos government. Suaverdez said she was just a student during martial law when a group of military personnel and students came rushing to Adelina street in Manila. “The police were after the students of the University of Santo Tomas. I saw one brutally killed bathing in his own blood.” But then after EDSA Revolution, she was able to go out the streets without any fear.
Street vendor Aling Elisa said she recalls EDSA everytime she sees the yellow ribbons tied on the street lights of Manila. “It reminded me that the celebration is held this month.” She said she knows the brutality brought by Martial Law and that People Power ended this brutality, but that the MMDA sometimes reminds her of the martial law, whenever they try to push her away from the street, being a street vendor.
On the commemoration of its 24th anniversary, the administration held the wreath laying ceremony for at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City led by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales. Some locals meanwhile took advantage of the long weekend and some went to the malls with their family.
While there are yellow ribbons tied to trees, cars and streetlight in Manila, big streamers of EDSA were posted along the major byways of Quezon City. Tarpaulins with the photos of Cory and Ninoy Aquino constantly remind us: “Remember EDSA, February 22-25, The spirit lives on.”
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