Where were you during the Edsa revolt?

“I just came back to Cebu. On that fateful day, we were home monitoring the developments in Manila via TV and radio. I recalled my late father saying ‘Why can’t they just not go, they have milked us anyway”. When the news came that Marcos was gone and people were streaming to Malacañang, I saw my father wiping his eyes. He shed tears of joy that finally the dawn of a new day has come. That was the first time I saw my father with tears in his eyes.” – Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of culture and heritage section of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

“During EDSA 1, I was yet a very young police lieutenant heading a Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police (PC-INP) detachment in Sogod, Cebu. I remember a that time that we were conducting checkpoints to prevent armed persons from moving to the city. What struck me most was that I had to receive two sets of orders, one emanating from General Fabian Ver’s group and from General Fidel V. Ramos’ group. We were also told to put the Philippine flag as a patch. It was an indication of a government actually crumbling and my first experience since I entered the service in 1983. Everything was chaotic but I had to be steadfast in knowing that its the people that we serve and not for any individual.” – Senior Supt. Patrocinio Commendador Jr., Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director

“I attended mass actions in the city, including a rally at Camp Sergio Osmeña supporting the revolution. While closely monitoring the events at EDSA, I marched with student activists that called on Cebuanos to support the anti-Marcos move. Some of us even carried a Philippine flag with the red side up, signifying the people power revolution. I was struck by the thought that this was going to be the culmination of all those years of struggle against the Marcos regime, something that could not have happened without the sacrifices of so many people who were jailed, tortured, or executed in the fight for freedom.”- Ahmed Cuizon, regional director, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board

“I was then assigned in Pagasa Manila as meteorologist. I was 30 years old at that time. I was very worried sa panghitabo. Nahadlok ko, for my country, my family in Cebu, my future. Rallies, demonstration. Gubot kaayo.” – Oscar Tabada, Pagasa Mactan bureau chief

“I was still in high school in Basay, Negros Oriental. Everybody was affected. We were very saddened because we were not updated with the activities going on in Manila. Right after EDSA, there was a series of activities conducted and the youth are already involved. I was in Dumaguete when we were requested to be there with the LGU and it was after the first time that I saw Cory. There was also a revamp of government officials. What really caught our attention was the sudden replacement of officials in the entire country.” – Dr Joelyza Miguel Arcilla, Principal of Lahug Elementary School

“I was at home monitoring on TV and on radio the live telecast of the EDSA revolution. I was horrified with the possible tragic outcome of the revolution. I can’t forget the great courage of the people especially those nuns who were at the forefront, armed only with rosaries and prayers. Wa gyud sila mahadlok. Nanimbawt gyud akong balhibo ato, when people gave flowers to Marcos’s soldiers and eventually their hearts were softened. –  Evelyn Gabutan Malinao, 52, employee of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)

“I was in Cebu at that time studying Accountancy at University of San-Jose Recoletos.  I was 17 going 18 when I recalled how powerful prayers were. Guns and cannons prevailed that toppled down the Marcos administration.” – Zenaida Brion Monera, 45, works as a secretary in Dubai, UAE Her hometown is in Borbon, Cebu. /Joy Cherry Quito, Christine Emily L. Pantaleon and Tweeny M. Malinao

Correspondents