Imagine! What could have happened at about this time in 1986 had the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, the archbishop of Manila, not called on Filipinos to support the protest series across the country to restore democracy. This nationwide plea was announced via the renegade Catholic Radio Veritas that operated clandestinely when all media networks were shutdown.
Picture that that was when the then dictator had already alerted the military to repress the disillusioned demonstrators by whatever means just when busloads of protesters were trying to enter Metro Manila to join at EDSA and other spots. Even fire trucks were deployed ready with water canons and pressure hoses.
Rosaries and Roses
How can we forget the mammoth crowd that gathered in front and around Camps Aguinaldo and Crame on EDSA occupying up to Makati to as far as the Quezon City Memorial and the Welcome Rotonda on Espana?
Nuns and priests and other religious were the frontliners armed only with rosaries and roses. Prayers were their only other weapon against the ready-to-fire-on-signal military and government men.
With the great number increasing by the minute, no one ever got hungry or thirsty. As the immense horde joined the fray, food and drinks overflowed.
Never Again
Next week, culminating on Sunday, February 25, is the 38th commemoration of the bloodless People Power Revolution that ousted and drove the dictator and his cohorts out of the country.
As had been in the past, the nationwide observance this year is not a public holiday. It was previously a working holiday. Propitiously, the 25th falls on a Sunday when traffic is slow and significant people are free to join the tribute of this never-to-forget days.
No matter, majority of Filipinos will always remember these fateful days in 1986. No amount of modification or tampering of facts could ever change this part of Philippine history.
George Santayana, a prominent champion of critical realism, was quoted from his book "The Life of Reason": "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Never again!
'Dilawan' Tag
Are we going to see the flood of yellow or black-garbed citizens this year? Yellow has been the color identified with "followers" of the late Ninoy Aquino who was assassinated on the tarmac of the international airport on August 21, 1983.
Yellow was also the color of choice of Presidents Cory and Noynoy Aquino and of LABAN, the rival of the 1986 administration's political party.
LABAN is also a partner of the Liberal Party (LP) that was founded in 1946 by President Manuel Roxas, father of the late Senator Gerry Roxas and grandfather of former Senator Mar Roxas. Ninoy Aquino, Jovito Salonga and Gerry Roxas were its prominent leaders.
After 1986, LP and LABAN members and supporters were derogatorily tagged as "dilawan."
2024 Events
This year's celebration started with a press briefing on February 5. They introduced EDSA People Power series of events from the 22nd through the 25th.
For this commemoration, February 23 is known as the National Day of Prayer and Action for EDSA; 24th - Kapihan at Talakayan ng Naging Papel ng August 21 Movement noong People Power Revolution, and on the 25th, to be held are the Freedom Ride, Multimedia Assembly, and Concert. Venues are at the historic Club Filipino in San Juan City, Ayala Avenue in Makati, and at the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani in Quezon City.
The docu-flick "Dakila" will be shown nationwide in various theatres and auditoriums. This film by human rights advocates emphasizes the importance of being well-informed on any socio-political issue. This includes affixing signatures to any petition and encouraging public discussions.
Always at the fore, the Ateneo de Manila University will hold a mass on the 23rd with the theme, "Tayong Lahat Ay May Pananagutan sa Isa't Isa", as a celebration of unity and hope. Hashtags are #AteneoRemembers and #BuhayAngEDSA.
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