Mayla Gunday, an activist from the August 21 Movement, recalls her experiences during Martial Law and People Power. (Photo from Arnel Tacson)
MANILA, Philippines — An activist who lived through Martial Law and partook in the first Edsa Revolution to topple former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship now finds herself under the term of his son.
Mayla Gunday is a member of the August 21 Movement (Atom), a group founded by Agapito “Butz” Aquino, the brother of Benigno Aquino Jr. after the latter died. The group was named after the date Aquino was slain.
She recalled nearly being brought into Camp Crame for being out past curfew, but only being saved by the fact that she had a relative in the military.
“Yun nga ang masaklap, lumaban ako sa diktador noon, hanggang ngayon, hindi ko akalakin… na yung anak, uupo na presidente ngayon”
(What is worse is, I fought a dictator before, until now I did not think… that the son will seat as president.)
Gunday started as an activist at 14. At 65 years old, she still goes to People Power anniversaries annually. She is happy that the holiday is still recognized by both the government and the world.
“Nandito rin ako, veteran ng Edsa Revolution, kasi member ako ng August 21 Movement at sana, mayroon pang pag-asa na magpatuloy-tuloy ang naumpisahan sa Edsa Revolution,” she said.
(I am here, a veteran of the Edsa Revolution, because I am a member of the August 21 Movement and I wish that there is still hope that what we started in Edsa Revolution will continue.)