EDSA remains alive and continues to be felt everywhere, albeit with the simpler ceremonies and lack of holiday celebrations that accompanied the Edsa People Power festivities in the past.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and officials of the Quezon City government, led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the People Power Monument in Quezon City yesterday in observance of the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno attended the event.
NHCP officials said their agency, which absorbed the functions of the Edsa People Power Commission, would continue to lead the annual commemorative rites whether the event is declared a holiday or not.
Ian Alfonso, supervising researcher of the NHCP’s Research, Publication and Heraldry Division, in an interview with ABS CBN, said the commemoration of EDSA should not be limited to the wreath and flag-raising ceremonies but its spirit should be kept alive in whatever we do.
“We re-live this every day. What is the spirit of EDSA? What has it resulted in? How has it benefited us? That should be highlighted and emphasized,” he said.
In Manila, a wreath was offered at the statue of the late President Corazon Aquino in Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila EDSA People Power, while in Makati City the Akbayan Party led over a hundred cyclists, skaters, and joggers at the Ayala Avenue for the “EDSA Freedom Ride.”
The EDSA Freedom Ride kicked off with a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., followed by a send-off of the yellow-clad participants who commemorated the EDSA Day and campaigned to protect the 1987 Constitution against any attempts to revise it.
Former Senator Rene Saguisag and Francis Aquino Dee, Deputy Executive Director of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) and grandson of the late president and senator, attended the event.
Members of Akbayan, Siklista Pilipino, Pilipinas Riders, the Makati Villages Council, Cycling Buddies, Pio4Leni, Skaters for Leni, Kalye Serye Mandaluyong, Akbayan Youth, Youth Resist, The Youth Alliance Against Charter Change (TAYO Against Cha-Cha), and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) also attended.
Dee, in an interview in Makati, said he felt a little confused when EDSA Day was not declared a holiday like in the past but said that regardless, he and his group would celebrate the event and make their commemorative activities orderly.
“These activities are not just about commemorating the past; they are about rekindling the spirit of unity and democracy that defined the People Power Revolution. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of EDSA amid efforts by those who want to undermine it by self-serving attempts to revise our constitution,” he said.
The Buhay ang Edsa Campaign Network led the Multimedia Musical Event “The EDSA Story: A People’s Victory, A Nation’s Glory” at Club Filipino where participants were treated to multimedia storytelling about the Filipino people’s fight for freedom and democracy and the events that led to the oath-taking of the late President Aquino.
“The EDSA Story” was directed by Floy Quintos and featured renowned artists Edru Abraham and Kontra Gapi, Bayang Barrios, Jaime Fabregas, Arman Ferrer, Jep Go, Ateneo Entablado, Xiao Chua, Macoy Dubs, and Mighty Magulang.
Present during the event were members of the 1986 Constitutional Framers led by Christian Monsod and Rene Sarmiento, former Cabinet secretaries of the two late Aquino presidents, and former Senators Rene Saguisag and Leila de Lima.
Dee, who was also present, led everyone in praying for the country and for Filipinos to remain strong in the latest crossroads they are facing following the unseating of a “dictator” 38 years ago.
He said the country is now faced with a storm that is stronger and darker than it has faced in the past.
“We ask for your pity, show us the right way to recover from this evil and danger brought by Charter Change,” Dee prayed.
He also prayed for Filipinos to find the light and love of the Lord and be guided to keep the spirit of People Power alive.”
In the evening, the “#EDSAKahitSaan Concert” was held at the People Power Monument along White Plains Avenue in Quezon City by Leo Rialp and produced by the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF), Buhay ang EDSA Campaign Network, and the Brgy. Artists 4 EDSA.
The performers included Anthony Rosaldo, Bayang Barrios, Bituin Escalante, Bo Cerrudo, Bodjie Pascua, Bree, Bullet Dumas, Buskers from the Busking Community PH, Elijah Canlas, Elmo and Arkin Magalona, Everywoman, Jaime Fabregas, Joel Saracho, Kathleen Quinto, Leah Navarro, Leo Martinez, Lyndon Malapad, Martin Riggs, Mass Appeal, Mitch Valdes, Nica del Rosario, SOS, Teatro Tao sa Tao, and The Company.
Former anti-poverty commission lead convenor and former peace adviser Teresita Ging Deles, also of the Buhay ang EDSA Campaign Network, said the spirit of EDSA remains alive and EDSA remains everywhere.
Deles said the convenors and families of the original EDSA players remain active and continue to celebrate the event annually in their own way.
She said that this year, however, they opted to come together amid the ongoing Charter change efforts and the government’s lack of celebration.
She said they also want to remind everyone that EDSA will always be alive.
SOLDIERS DEPLOYED
The military deployed soldiers for the commemoration of the 38th anniversary of the Edsa People’s Power Revolution at the Edsa People Power monument.
The soldiers included honor guards who welcomed officials of the National Historic Commission of the Philippines who led the wreath-laying ceremony.
The soldiers also included members of a military band that played during the event.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it deployed nearly 6,000 personnel to ensure peace during the commemoration of the event.
There was no untoward incident monitored as of yesterday morning.
As of 6:30 p.m., PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said the celebration of the EDSA revolution was generally peaceful so far.
“Edsa People Power-related activities are ongoing until now. But so far, (it’s) relatively peaceful as no untoward incident was reported,” said Fajardo.
“Based on the latest situation report coming from our ground commanders, it’s peaceful,” said Quezon City Police District director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan.
The PNP is continuing with its monitoring of the celebration until later yesterday.
The NCRPO monitored rallies in Quezon City, Manila, Makati City, Mandaluyong City, Caloocan City, Pasay City and Makati City. Some 710 individuals attended the rallies. — With Victor Reyes
