𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡 | 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

February 22, 1986, marked the first day of what will be known to be as the EDSA People Power Revolt that toppled the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Then-Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin called upon the people to protect the rebelling former Marcos allies, Juan Ponce Enrile and Fidel V. Ramos, which the people did exactly—a movement of resistance against Marcos Sr. and his regime. 

On February 25, 1986, after more than two decades of reign, the Marcos empire fell apart within days after losing military support and US backing, then fled into exile in Hawaii, USA. 

The “People Power” movement was admired worldwide and replicated by various nations. Its impact on our history is undeniably profound, and that is why we celebrate and commemorate one of our country’s greatest moments. For these reasons, it had always been a non-working holiday—until President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reclassified it as a special working holiday.

The decision to break tradition in recognizing its importance through class and work suspension is in itself a denial of history—something the Marcoses have committed many times in the past until today. 

In a twist of history repeating itself, religious blocs, especially the Catholics, found themselves, once again, at the forefront of resisting another Marcos Administration. 

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) has urged its member schools to suspend classes in commemoration of the upcoming 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. 

Caritas Philippines and the Church Leaders Council for National Transformation (CLCNT) will organize a protest at the People Power Monument on Tuesday, February 25, to “Make Marcos Jr. accountable, hold [Rodrigo] Duterte responsible, and convict Sara Duterte [of her impeachment in the Senate].” 

Aside from this, rights group activists have planned to protest—not just for EDSA—but about present social illnesses. For youth groups such as the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and the Kabataan Partylist (KPL), the groups plan to protest against tuition fee hikes in colleges and universities.

The EDSA Spirit is evidently alive. Upholding historical truths of the past while raising critical issues of the present are testaments to this. Even if the 25th of February remains a working day for some, the act of remembrance itself is a form of resistance. Remember.

#EDSA39

#TheTemplar