By Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA
MANILA — More than a thousand Filipinos gathered on Monday at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
Multi-sectorial groups, officials and personnel of government agencies, religious groups, academe, students, civic and other non-government organizations attended the event to commemorate the historic event, which ended the two-decade leadership of the late president Ferdinand Marcos.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines led the commemorative program, which included the flag-raising rites, ecumenical prayer, wreath-laying rites, conferment of Freedom Awards and Spirit of EDSA and Good Citizenship Movement Awards, and singing of patriotic songs.
In his speech, Joey Concepcion, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and EDSA People Power Commission vice president, said the People Power Revolution instilled in the youth — at that time — the kind of courage that pushes them to rise up and fulfill their dreams.
“Today, there is a different kind of revolution, which is creating inclusivity for all Filipino people. Our President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is to create an inclusive road making every Filipino a part of a growing country,” he said.
Concepcion added that real democracy has to be translated into real economic democracy “where the country is not controlled by the rich and where those at the bottom of the pyramid and the middle-class are aspiring to be wealthy”.
Meanwhile, public relations practitioner Reli German said most Filipinos have a wrong understanding of the real message of the 1986 EDSA Revolution.
“Marami sa atin ang nag-iisip na ito ay magdadala sa atin ng himala, na ito ay magdadala ng instant solution sa mga problema ng bansa pagkatapos ng Feb. 25, 1986 revolution ay mawawala na ang kahirapaan, katiwalian, traditional politicians, hindi iyan mangyayari sa loob ng ilang buwan o taon (Many among us think that it will give us a miracle, that it will give an instant solution to our country’s problems … that after February 25, 1986 revolution there’ll be no nore poverty, corruption, traditional politicians, that won’t happen in a few months or years),” he said.
German urged the public to decide on “creating such miracle in a day-to-day basis” for the fulfillment of national goals.
On the other hand, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction, Lorna Dig-Dino, said the revolution promoted “usap, unawa at kalinga (communication, understanding and care)” back then.
“Sa pagkakalinga, may pagmamalasakit sa kapwa (In caring, there is compassion for others). All our schools are child-friendly schools so that our students may learn peace, they do something for our country even if they’re still young” she said, adding that the DepEd promotes school activities, which help students think of solutions to problems and serve the country in any way they can.
