Some people may think there’s no point in celebrating EDSA I revolution anymore. But like anything that’s a part of history, it serves as a reminder — a reminder of what it took to be the free nation that we are today.
It may not exactly feel that way right now in light of all the partisanship that the country has been subjected to lately, but it also doesn’t mean all hope is lost.
EDSA I Revolution was a four-day protest that happened from February 22 to February 25, 1986 along the streets of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) where millions of Filipinos joined together to oust then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos from office.
When Corazon C. Aquino was sworn in as the new elected President of the Philippines on February 25, 1986, democracy was reinstated in the country, which ultimately put an end to Marcos’ dictatorship over the nation.
However, the restoration of democracy in the country isn’t the only thing we are reminded of on this day.
On February 22, 2020, about 100 people, of which were members of anti-Duterte groups, gathered at the People Power Monument in Quezon City to protest against President Duterte and call for his ouster according to a report on Super Radyo dzBB.
LOOK: Mga anti-Duterte group, nagtipon-tipon ngayon sa People Power Monument sa Quezon City. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/hqf7TshXBI
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 22, 2020
The groups, namely the Coalition Against Federalism in the Philippines and Kilusang Kontra Tsina, held up placards that read “Duterte resign now” and handed out flyers to passersby.
Member of Kilusang Kontra Tsina Rey Abad said that they were protesting in commemoration of the People Power Revolution anniversary. Abad said that they were calling for President Duterte’s resignation because of his partiality towards China and the extrajudicial killings he set in motion.
The protest Abad and his group did may not have been as big as the one that took place in 1986 but here is why it matters.
According to lawyer and 1st District Representative of Albay Edcel Lagman “EDSA’s legacy must not be sacrificed to personal grievances and partisan intolerance.”
When we celebrate EDSA Revolution I, we are reminded that we once had the power to oust a dictator out of office using our voice. And when we remember that we have been empowered with a voice, we can use again to practice our rights as the people of this nation.
What took place on this day in 1986 didn’t happen just so we could be a free country — it happened so we will always be reminded of the the voice that we have been given and it’s something no one can ever take away unless we single-handedly hand it over to those in power.
