“Tama na! Sobra na! Palitan na!”
These phrases we shouted thirty-seven years ago in the streets of EDSA, drawing an end to the oppressive Marcos regime. At a time when freedom of speech was repressed and the killing of innocents was prevalent, we made history after successfully ousting our leader in a peaceful revolution. The 1986 People Power Revolution would make a riveting tale of sacrifice, war, and redemption, with just a twinge of that heart-stopping plot twist. However, in recent years, the significance of the revolution to the people seems to have faded.
Indeed, come 2023, the new generation has found a new mantra: “BBM! BBM!” Filipinos welcomed the Marcoses back with a 58.74% win in last year’s national elections, seemingly rendering the revolution efforts futile. In truth, while the revolution succeeded in reforming leadership, its potential for change can go no further if we do not finish what our predecessors had already begun.
Unlike what others make it out to be, the Marcos Era was not the “Golden Age” of the Philippines; in fact, it was quite the opposite. Former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared Martial Law in September 1972 to respond to alleged threats to national security. Eventually, this led to proliferating corruption, one of the worst economic recessions the country has ever faced, and various human rights breaches. For instance, in 1977, ten student activists who were part of an anti-martial law group went missing. Their disappearance was believed to be linked to the government. This was not an isolated case, as many other activists were tortured using hot irons, sexually abused, electrically shocked, and many more.
Though Marcos Sr.’s term has ended, the situation has not changed. Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s term was also rife with extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses. The “war on drugs” saw over 12,000 Filipinos tortured and killed. It was common for police to falsify evidence to convict the innocent, proving that corruption is still a national issue. Meanwhile, though improving, our economy continues to fall in comparison to other countries, marked by rising inflation, high levels of poverty, and unemployment. Clearly, we, as people, have not learned to change our ways, as these problems continue to plague the terms of other presidents post-EDSA.
Thus, despite the People Power Revolution story, Filipinos eventually brought back the influence of the very leader they ousted. We seem to have forgotten the horrors of our past, and have been easily misled by misinformation and political propaganda, due in part to the failure of the post-EDSA administrations to improve the lives of the common Filipino. According to college professors Maria Rita Reyes Cucio and Jovy F. Cuadra, an increased number of students no longer appreciate the meaning of the EDSA revolution. To others, the revolution simply serves as another holiday. If we do not learn to effectively convey the revolution’s message to the next generation, we are bound to repeat past mistakes.
Democracy is built on the people and their ability to choose. During his inauguration, current President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. honored his father, making it clear that the late Marcos Sr. would always be an important figure during his term. And while the “son is not his father,” his term threatens to change the public perception of the EDSA revolution. Once the public forgets, change will go stagnant. Remembering is especially significant considering how this year's People Power Revolution Anniversary date (February 25, 2023) has been removed from its status as a holiday by the son of the man it ousted. Instead, the official celebration was moved to February 24, 2023, which has been declared a holiday for the same purpose as the original anniversary.
In truth, the 1986 People Power Revolution was not a failure, and it will never be one. EDSA is a cry against injustice, dictatorship, and fraud. It is a symbol of rebirth and hope. Even in the face of new leadership, may we never forget to “remember EDSA” and what it stands for. After all, this was never an Aquino-versus-Marcos, nor a Kakampink-versus-Uniteam. As our national hero Jose Rizal said so well in his novel, Noli Me Tangere, “this has always been a fight for our Inang Bayan to greet every sunrise with democracy in her bosom; a fight to keep remembering those who fell during the night.”
May the Filipino flame never die, but remain courageous and strong in the face of injustice, tyranny, and oppression.