PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has learned and put to heart a lasting piece of advice from his grandmother, Doña Josefa Edralin Marcos — read everything.
Bongbong is now passing the same advice to all Filipinos, especially those interested in a no-nonsense study of history.
In the observance of the February 25 EDSA People Power Revolution last year, President Marcos had urged Filipinos to be conscious of what historical accounts they read or were taught, practice critical thinking, and digest history from as many original sources as possible.
It is understandably hurting for the son to “celebrate” the end of Marcos Sr.’s administration — and the beginning of their family’s US exile.
Still, Bongbong Marcos sent flowers and a unifying message to the people rather than scrap the EDSA Day itself, during the first People Power anniversary under his presidency in 2023.
`This was an offer of reconciliation, which some in the opposition and the Communist Party flatly declined.’
On the second observance under his watch, Bongbong talked about the “read everything” advice of his grandmother, without even mentioning the popular revolt in 1986.
Marcos pointed out then that “politics is a constant, but because of technology, it has become more difficult to determine which is true and which is fake news.”
“Do not just read one material. Read everything. My grandmother taught me to read anything and told me it would be up to me to gauge which is true and which is not. And that’s what you have to do. That’s what history can guide us with because we have experienced this before,” the President said.
While history is more or less written by the victors, and so obviously is somewhat biased in their favor, the President’s admonition to consider all sources, talk with the people who were there, is a valid one. It promotes critical thinking.
Two years ago, the President correctly described the EDSA uprising as a “polarizing and divisive” event, and that Filipinos must now unite and collaborate “to make things work better for all.” This was an offer of reconciliation, which some in the opposition and the Communist Party flatly declined.
“As we look back at this fateful moment in our country’s history, we remind ourselves that despite the polarizing and divisive nature of our politics, it is our capacity for peace, unity and reconciliation that made us great and worthy of global acclaim as a people,” Marcos said.
Meanwhile, it is interesting to note that former President Rodrigo Duterte never attended an EDSA commemorative event in the full six years of his incumbency, which showed the level of disdain he had for this celebration. This is something that Bongbong cannot do; else he might be criticized for selectively favoring one group of Filipinos over another.
This year, Malacañang downplayed the commemoration of the EDSA Revolution, declaring a “special working holiday” across the nation, although top universities like the University of Santo Tomas, La Salle, Ateneo, and the Ortigas group of schools have declared no classes to give students the chance for a full observance of EDSA Day. The University of the Philippines acted rather late with an announcement for an Alternative Learning Day on Feb. 25, whatever that means.
In the end, only the Ninoy Aquino-Cory Aquino loyalists, their families and other supporters would celebrate the law-mandated observance of the People Power revolution, as the event’s luster continues to fade through the years.
