“The Philippines has come a long way since 1986• We regained our freedom, national pride, and will to get the country growing. Somewhere along the way, we became complacent. People Power gained a partisan meaning which started to divide the nation once again.”
— President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

The above quotation is taken from PGMA’s speech last 22 February, the first day of the 4-day EDSA People Power Revolution, read for her by SND Norberto Gonzales at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. In that speech, she also complained that the country had become weak because of ineptitude and corruption. The Philippine Star (Feb. 23) quoted PGMA:

“‘A dysfunctional government resulted in insufficient investments in healthcare, education, even the basic amenities of clean water and electricity to remote barangays,’ she said, apparently referring to the Estrada Administration. The political instability eventually triggered EDSA II, propelling her to the Presidency.”

However, PGMA paid high tribute to the people at EDSA and the rebels of the MND (led by Minister Juan Ponce Enrile) and AFP: “EDSA I is a testament to the courage of ordinary people in 1986. It is a tribute to the 1986 soldiers who recognized that true power come from the people and not from the barrel of a gun. It is also the guide to today’s soldiers who make great sacrifices to defend the freedoms of ordinary Filipino.”

Presidential Proclamation 1224 (s–2007), “Declaring February 22 to 25 Every Year ‘EDSA People Power Commemoration Week,’” mandates:

“All agencies of government, civil society, professional and religious organizations, mass media, and the citizenry are called upon to actively participate in all commemoration activities and programs of the EDSA People Power Commission, the Spirit of EDSA Foundation and other similar private sector groups, relative to this yearly commemoration.

“All provincial governments are also hereby enjoined to actively participate in the yearly commemoration activities, in coordination with the EDSA People Power Commission, with the widest media coverage possible.”

“Diwa Ng Edsa, Gabay Sa Ating Kinabukasan”

In the renewed nationwide solidarity that burst to the forefront during those four EDSA days, Filipinos redeemed the sacrifices of our past heroes in order to regain our birthright of freedom, justice and national pride.

We became united in our purpose and determination, not merely to throw out an authoritarian regime that failed to govern democratically, but to win a better future.

EDSA I has a much deeper meaning. Filipinos were galvanized to direct action by their desire to reestablish a society of human dignity and liberty, a land not torn apart by strife and at peace with itself, representative government that is effective/accountable, and a dynamic and bountiful nation.
Today, our collective hope still is that, from EDSA, we learn lessons of UNITY of Purpose, SOLIDARITY in Values, and TEAMWORK in Nation-Building (U-S-T).

Our continuing revolution

To most, it may seem paradoxical that it is the soldier/policeman who yearn for peace more than others because our public servants in uniform know from firsthand experience the cruelties of war and violence – what sufferings are inflicted upon combatants, their families, and innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

As a retired soldier who was privileged to be your President and Commander-in-Chief, so too am I equally an ardent advocate of enduring peace that will accelerate our nation’s progress toward sustainable development. Filipinos should take great pride in that the power of the people and our Spirit of EDSA touched off similar uprisings for liberation and justice around the world.

Last February 25, during the traditional flag-raising ceremony at the People Power Monument, PGMA reiterated a similar message to everyone.

The Philippine example inspired peoples in oppressed societies in the unending quest to resolve conflicts that have exacted from humankind heavy tolls of lives and suffering.

EDSA was not a one-day event, neither just a four-day phenomenon. EDSA straddles several generations of heroic struggle. EDSA is a continuing revolution – an unfulfilled vision that we must win without further delay. Its most significant result was the God-given opportunity to infuse our people with strengthened resolve in nation-building.

Our Sacred Freedom Trail: Pugad Lawin, Bataan, EDSA

Since becoming a nation 112 years ago, Filipinos have strived to live in independence and freedom, and win for ourselves spiritual well-being, material prosperity and a place of respect in the community of nations.

At Pugad Lawin in August, 1896, Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan triggered the Philippine Revolution and Emilio Aguinaldo declared our independence from Spain in June, 1898. Jose Rizal visualized in his essay, “The Philippines A Centenary Hence,”: “The new Filipinas would generate a breed of Filipinos who would derive energy from their pre-colonial past. They would create a future by their labor; work the land, the mines; and revive the maritime and trading skills of their forefathers. In the process, they would be strengthened by a recovery of their old virtues, and ultimately attain a prosperous and independent existence.”

This brighter future is shared by generations of Filipinos – living and dead – who fought for freedom, dignity and prosperity.

Three defining beacons in Philippine history should guide Filipinos: the revolutionary Spirit of 1896 at Pugad Lawin; the patriotic Spirit of 1942 at Bataan and Corregidor; and the liberating Spirit of 1986 at EDSA.

The Fall of Bataan on 09 April 1942 was memorialized in this stirring tribute by Captain Salvador Lopez – later U.P. President and Secretary of Foreign Affairs:

“Bataan has fallen.

We have done all that human endurance could bear.

What sustained us was a force more than merely physical.
It was the force of an unconquerable faith,
It is the thought of native land.”

Responsible Citizens, Responsible Governance

The Spirit of EDSA, therefore, reminds Filipinos that we too can live the lives of heroes by being responsible citizens who, through their daily work, contribute to community welfare and nation-building.

Citizenship is not measured by heroic acts alone. A nation needs not only responsible leaders, but also responsible citizens – who protect the environment, pay taxes, obey laws, vote wisely, help the needy, raise quality families and, above all, love our own Philippines.

EDSA has taught us that responsible citizenship means caring for others, sharing what the Almighty has given each of us, and daring to attain a better future for country and people. These values are especially required of those who govern us.
Unity, Solidarity And Teamwork

The evident lack of interest, much less enthusiasm, in our 24th Anniversary Celebration of EDSA is deplorable – and inexcusable for officials elected to positions of responsibility in Government.

Those who were direct participants in the events of February, 1986 – millions of audacious civilians and the rebel military – would have wanted to see our 24th EDSA Anniversary devoted to nationwide thanksgiving and people empowerment activities like: Teaching younger Filipinos the true meaning of EDSA through programs and other educational opportunities; agricultural and job fairs; SME exhibits; sports competitions; bonding in military camps between civilians and soldiers/policemen, etc. All these should be undertaken faithfully in all provinces, cities, and towns – as we used to do during the years 1987 to 1998.

Unfortunately, there are those who continue to be cynical of the EDSA experience, who say that the Spirit of EDSA has been lost. Let me now reach out to them – despite their narrow, short-sighted attitudes – to join in our people’s crusade and aspiration to move our blessed Philippines faster forward and take the lead.

Yes, Caring, Sharing and Daring Filipinos won the struggles at EDSA Uno in 1986 and EDSA Dos in 2001, but we have yet to overcome – through our U-S-T – poverty, inequity, lawlessness, injustice, and corruption.

EDSA’s Legacy

For those who staked their lives and futures for the cause of freedom, none can ever abandon the Spirit of EDSA, nor ever forget what EDSA stands for.

The Spirit of EDSA belongs to the people, particularly to younger Filipinos and our impoverished kababayans. It is not the exclusive property of any military commander, neither any religious personality, neither any political leader. It does not belong to any single political party, neither any favored cluster of elites.

The Spirit of EDSA is the legacy of hope from those who fought dictatorship 24 years ago that has been handed over to all Filipinos – past, present and future. EDSA is not the sole proprietorship of any single family or institution because it belongs to all filipinos, including muslims, lumads, ofws, dual citizens, balikbayans, and generations yet to come.

Next year will be EDSA’s landmark 25th Anniversary. Let us all make that event a real people’s commemoration and insure that the Spirit of EDSA is continually revered by our entire nation as a defining, admirable epic of Philippine history.

Please send any comments to fvr@rpdev.org. Copies of articles are available at www.rpdev.org.