Edsa People Power of 1986: ‘A proud moment for Filipinos’ – senators
FILE PHOTO: Philippine Air Force SF-260 jets fly in formation during the 30th anniversary celebration of the Edsa People Power revolt at the People Power Monument in Quezon City. INQUIRER/RAFFY LERMA
MANILA, Philippines — Several senators, some of whom personally participated in the Edsa People Power, on Friday looked back on how Filipinos stood against injustice and ousted a dictator 36 years ago.
Celebrating her 20th birthday, Senator Risa Hontiveros recalled standing among the Filipino masses during the Edsa People Power revolt in 1986.
“I was there at umaapaw ang puso ko sa saya dahil nanaig ang pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino [and my heart was overflowing with joy because Filipinos’ unity prevailed]. Edsa was such a proud moment for Filipinos— we stood tall in the eyes of the world,” Hontiveros said in a statement on the 36th anniversary of the popular bloodless uprising against the Marcos dictatorship.
“Paulit ulit mang tangkain na burahin sa kasaysayan ang Edsa, hindi mababago ang katotohanang pinagkaisa tayo para sa pangarap na mabuhay ng may dignidad, karapatan at demokrasya sa sarili nating bayan,” she added.
(While there are repeated attempts to omit the history of Edsa, the truth that we were united by a dream to live with dignity, rights, and democracy in our own land will never change.)
Article continues after this advertisementShe then told Filipinos that it is still possible to experience overflowing hope similar to what happened along Edsa in February 1986.
Article continues after this advertisement“Nagawa na natin ito noon, walang duda na magagawa ulit natin ito ngayon [We did it before, no doubt we can do it again today],” she added.
“Hindi pwedeng hanggang ngayon ay stranded pa rin tayo sa alaala ng nakaraan. Kailangan nating magkapit-bisig muli, kasama ang mga kabataan ng bagong henerasyon. Dahil — sa gitna ng paglapastangan sa ating mga batas at karapatan — naniniwala pa rin akong may puwang pa para sa mas malawak na pagkakaisa,” she added.
(We should not remain stranded in memories of the past. We should link arms with the youth of the new generation. Because – amid the violation of our laws and rights – I believe there is space for wider unity.)
She urged fellow Filipinos to continue fighting against lies.
“Muli tayong magkaisa at isulong ang diwa ng Edsa – para sa kalayaan, katarungan, at kaunlaran [Let us unite again and advance the spirit of Edsa – for freedom, justice, and prosperity],” Hontiveros added.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, for his part, remembered being with fellow student activists. He said they brought food for soldiers defecting from the dictator.
“Yung iba sa aming mga aktibista na dati hindi pinapayagan ng mga magulang sumama sa rally, yung mga nanay pa nila gumagawa ng sandwich nung Edsa [Some of the activists who were initially not allowed by their parents to join the rally, their mothers were eventually the ones making sandwiches during Edsa],” he said.
“Magulo. Masaya. May kaba. Kasi hindi mo alam kung ano ang nangyayari o mangyayari [It was chaotic. Filled with joy. But there was worry. Because you don’t know what is happening and what will happen],” Pangilinan said of his experience.
He described the Edsa People Power as the “culmination of a long, bloody struggle against the dictatorship that started small but ballooned – went viral in today’s language – almost overnight.”
“Edsa was the rebirth of our nation,” he added, noting that the revolt was “peaceful.”
“Parang himala. Parang tinadhana. Hindi mo aakalain na pwede kang magpatalsik ng diktador [It’s like a miracle. It’s like it was destined. Who would have thought we could topple a dictator],” he also said.
Senator Leila de Lima hailed the Filipino heroes who “stepped forward and stood against injustice.”
“In the face of insurmountable challenge, the Filipino masses emerged victorious. Because of the People Power Revolution, we toppled the abusive dictatorship and gave the sovereign power back to our people, where it rightly belongs,” she added.
In commemorating the Edsa People Power, De Lima highlighted the right of Filipinos to elect the country’s leader and to speak out against a government’s wrongdoings and abuses.
“Nitong nakalipas na halos anim na taon, muling bumalik ang korapsyon, karahasan, at pang-aabuso. Muling pinatahimik ang mga nagsasalita ng katotohanan. Muling pinigil ang malayang pamamahayag [These past six years, corruption returned, as well as abuses. Those speaking out the truth were silenced again. Freedom of the press took a hit],” she said
“Dapat tayong magising muli. Hanapin natin muli sa ating puso ang demokrasya at buong tapang natin itong ipaglaban [Let’s wake up again. Let’s find it in our hearts to once again fight for democracy without fear.] Let us all say ‘Never again!’ again!” she added.
“Gamitin natin ang ating boto at boses upang ipahayag ang ating paninindigan. Patuloy tayong lumaban para sa mabuting kinabukasan ng ating bayan at kalayaan at karapatan ng mga Pilipino at ng mga susunod na henerasyon [Let’s use our vote and voice to express what we stand for. Let’s continue fighting for our country’s better future, the freedom and rights of the Filipino people and the next generation],” she added.
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