The silver anniversarry of Bloodless Revolution



    

     The late and first woman President of the Philippines, Cory Aquino once said, “The entire world wondered as they witnessed... a people lift themselves from humiliation to the greatest pride.”

     A long time ago maybe, but for those who were a part of that history, the memories are vivid. The People power Revolution of 1986 is not something one forgets. It changed not only our country but also the world.

     In 1986, the Philippines was admired when the so-called bloodless revolution exploded, labeled as EDSA People Power’s Revolution. This marked a historic event that has been carved in the hearts and minds of every Filipino. This part of Philippine history has given us a strong sense of pride especially that other nations had followed what we have shown the world the true power of democracy. The true empowerment of democracy was demonstrated in EDSA by its thriving efforts to oust a tyrant without violence and bloodshed. Prayers and rosaries were the only weapons Filipinos used to recover their freedom from President Ferdinand Marcos’s iron hands.

     For us, who were not born yet at that time, we really do not know what happened during EDSA Revolution but only some random events through our Philippine History subject. We really do not appreciate its value and we really do not have this strong emotional involvement with this historical event. We only know some facts that the revolution was an effect of the exploitation of freedom and the life threatening violence executed by the Marcos’ government which is the Martial Law; that over 2,000,000 Filipino civilians as well as several political, military, and religious figures were involved during that event; and that the protests, fueled by a struggle of years of corrupt governance by Marcos, took place from February 22–25, 1986, when Marcos fled to Hawaii and had made Corazon Aquino as the lawful President of the Philippines.

     As the nation celebrates People Power every year, the stories of those four days in February 1986 has always been retold, some stories perhaps blurry, but the feeling of pride, of nationhood, of bravery even just on a small extent, of making a stand, of fighting for something that was sure would be worthy and righteous would always come flooding back.

     Imagining that historical event is indeed amazing because people went to EDSA not thinking of the consequences or the possible circumstances, because probably if they did, very few would have gone. On these four days, the pinoy sense of pakikisama was empowered. My mom said that people who were there on that historical event said that newspapers was the people’s bed for the night and the pan de sal that was offered by the vendor for free was the best breakfast they have ever had.  They also cannot but believe that it was not a purely human endeavor, that a divine hand had guided the people and planned that historical event to save the Filipinos from agony

     Some call it “Revolution with a smile” because it was an opposite from a bloodshed revolution. By day and night, for four days of twenty five years ago, the people stood on their belief, demanding change, and defending freedom. With People Power, the military and civilian who was opponent were reconciled as one people- one Filipino to fight for freedom and change.

     Through People Power, the world was amazed, surprised how it all happened. In 1986, there was no example, nothing like People Power had ever been witnessed anyplace in the world. People Power and the Filipinos became the model for other nation to oust their corrupt leaders. And now, as we celebrate the 25^th anniversary of People Power on 1986, a nation far away changed its leadership in much the same way- without violence and with people crying out for change.

     Even though we were not there twenty five years ago, and whether or not we join the annual day celebrations at EDSA and somewhere else, let us share in the joy of those days and try to envision what it means to be a Filipino, to have fought for and won our freedom and regained our dignity. People Power had not happened only because of one person but because thousands upon thousands of Filipino moved as one to show the true power of people and the real sense of democracy to fight for what they believe is just and for the equality of everyone.