Last October 14, 2023, the son of the former president and dictator and now the President of the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., dropped the anniversary of the People Power Revolution of 1986 from the listed public holidays in the country. Nothing expresses guilt than downplaying the atrocities committed towards the Filipino people. This blatant attempt to whitewash their family's history is futile as today, the burning flame that sparked the revolution is still celebrated and commemorated throughout the country, only to prove to those who attempt to remove this significant event in the history of the Filipino people that we never forget.
Here are some of the events and activities that never forgot what happened 39 years ago :
In Quezon City, the National Historical Commission led a wreath-laying and flag-raising at the People Power Monument. After the ceremony, the Human Rights Violation Victims' Memorial Commission conducted a program.
At the Palma Hall at the University of the Philippines Diliman, "Anuna Pilipinas? 39 Years After People Power 1", a forum that examined the return of the Marcoses to power was led by the "Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law."
Our fellow students and friends in Diliman, Katipunan, and Taft also highlight the importance of the EDSA revolution:
The sight was blood red and black on campus as various organizations and student formations gathered at the University of the Philippines Diliman as they prepared the march going to EDSA to join the mobilization.
Ateneo de Manila University encouraged their students to wear yellow, white, or blue as they had a procession and recitation of the Holy Rosary, which was followed by a university mass to remember and celebrate the People Power Revolution. Furthermore, political organizations in the university conducted a noise barrage before joining the mobilization at the People Power Monument.
De La Salle University also mobilized the commemoration program at the EDSA Shrine. La Sallians also tied yellow ribbons in front of St. La Salle Hall to join the EDSA People Power Revolution celebration.
Earlier this day, Thomasian activists protested at the front of the Arch of the Centuries as part of their EDSA anniversary commemoration.
"EDSA 39: Di ka nag-iisa", one of the featured themes for this year's commemoration, exhibits the willingness to remember and to remind the people who survived, who fought, and who lost their loved ones that we will always remember what they have done for our country and its people. It is a reminder for those who will continue the fight that despite the attempts to erase, we will persevere until everyone remembers the bloodshed, the injustices, and the corruption that filled the Filipinos with rage, uniting them as one to stand up against the dictator fearlessly. Lastly, it is a warning to those who seek to deliberately distort history and the minds of our citizens that we never forget and refuse to forget: dahil ang tao, ang bayan, itutuloy ang laban!
(Photo by Mikyla Rosette C. Bernabe/ The Varsitarian)
