Filipinos were praised worldwide when a bloodless revolution in 1986 erupted in the country to oust a tyrant from his throne. It was Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.’s death which ignited the flame of nationalism in the Filipinos that led them to start the crusade. The four-day series of prayerful mass demonstrations and peaceful revolutions was later on called the EDSA People Power Revolution, after the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) where the non-violent revolt was held. It toppled the Marcos dictatorship and installed Corazon “Cory” Aquino, Aquino’s wife, as president of the Philippines.
It was a revolution that changed the life of every Filipino. A revolution that liberated the oppressed from a dictator. A revolution that brought back democracy to the nation. A revolution that became the forerunner of other peaceful revolts in the world. A revolution that moved people worldwide because of the solidarity a nation has shown. A revolution that exemplified the truth of the saying “In unity, there is strength.”
After twenty-five years, people gathered in EDSA Shrine once again to commemorate that fateful day. People wore yellow as a sign of support to the Aquinos, yellow being the campaign color of Corazon Aquino. The word “Laban” was chanted by the crowd as the song “Magkaisa” was simultaneously played from the speakers. Some even wore shirts that have Cory and Ninoy’s faces on them. Although the heat of the sun was unbearable, the crowd stayed to celebrate the commemoration of their fought-for democracy.
But are shirts and songs enough to manifest the true meaning of this event? What is the Philippines now 25 years after the EDSA Revolution? Is it now a distant memory from the past? Does the youth today see it only as a work and school-free holiday? Have the people’s lives changed after gaining freedom?
According to IBON foundation, a research-education-information and advocacy organization that seeks to contribute to people’s empowerment by generating and collecting socio-economic data and analyses, the country has achieved little progress 25 years after EDSA Revolution. According to IBON’s estimates, the unemployment rate rose to an average 11% in the period 2005-2010 from the 10.6% posted in the pre-People Power crisis period from 1981-1986, as shown in the illustration.[1] The 2.6 million number of unemployed Filipinos in 1896 rose to 4.4 million in 2010.
The latest revised number of poor in the Philippines was estimated to be at 23.1 million in 2009 or six out of ten Filipinos trying to survive. IBON said that the anniversary of People Power 1 is a time to reflect on how the nation is 25 years after. The organization further explained that there was an explosion of optimism for change in 1986, but it was followed by decades of missed opportunities. Is this now enough reason for Sen. Bongbong Marcos to conclude that indeed, his father could have turned the Philippines into another Singapore? Twenty-five years have passed after the revolution, but the condition of the country, according to IBON’s statistics, worsened.
With the celebration of the Filipino’s democracy, corruption is still present in the society. In the last few weeks, the stigma of corruption has hung over the armed forces. Sen. Gregorio "Gringo'' Honasan II said “"There is a need for transparency not only in the AFP but in all government-related transactions, and the need for us to protect what we term as whistle-blowers, who take the risk and develop the courage to testify, and present evidence."[2] Does this justify the notion that too much freedom can lead to abuse of power?
Twenty-five years after, how has EDSA Revolution affected the way Filipinos live? What is its value to the modern nation? According to a political blogger, Mon Casiple, this event taught the citizens three lessons. He said, “The first lesson in Philippine experience is to democratize the state, government and society. The second lesson is to strengthen this democratization to full democracy enjoyed by all the people. The third lesson is to realize that democracy is a never-ending work that requires constant vigilance and attention.”[3] Democracy is a double-edged sword; people can enjoy the freedom as long as they strive to be worthy of that liberty.
A quarter of a century later, what happened to the lives of the peaceful revolutionists? However it may have affected their lives, it still continues to inspire them to become better citizens of the nation of the people, by the people and for the people.
[1] Alegado, A 2011, ‘Little Progress achieved 25 years after EDSA revolution –IBON,’ Business World Online, viewed 1 March 2011, <http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?title=Little%20progress%20achieved%2025%20years%20after%20EDSA%20Revolution%20--%20IBON&id=27060>.
[2] Burgonio, TJ 2011, ‘Senator confident Armed Forces will survive corruption crisis’, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 20 February
[3] Casiple, M 2011, ‘EDSA After 25 Years’, viewed 28 February, <http://moncasiple.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/edsa-after-25-years/>
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