Dominant thoughts re Edsa One: We wasted it

The Edsa jump.   Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce-Enrile jubillant as they announced defections of Marcos people to the rebels' side.

The Edsa jump. Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce-Enrile jubillant as they announced defections of Marcos people to the rebels’ side.

Edsa30 celebration has revived memories of that important event in our history as a freedom-loving people.

From the recollections, one can glean a deep sense of disappointment, of our failure not to have used our regained freedom into building genuine democracy- wherein people would have the opportunities to pursue their dreams of a better life.

Mark Lopez shared his insights of EDSA One in Facebook: “I was 17 when EDSA 1 happened and my family and I were there, together with the millions who want change. It was surreal and it was indeed a triumphant moment when news of Marcos family fleeing was confirmed. In the immediate aftermath, all I could think of was that our country will now be on the cusp of true progress and development. Of course the foremost celebration was for the reinstatement of democracy and freedom to be a Filipino.

“”Thirty years after, I now cringe at what went by after EDSA1. I really don’t know what it is in our psyche that we continue to celebrate democracy but we also embraced mediocrity, especially in governance.

“We may be free, but we are still slaves to indifference, to corruption, and to greed. Do we really deserve this?”

Cesar Caoili emailed his recollection: “I was there in Edsa on the very first day when it all began. I was employed in one of the companies of the Yuchengco’s. After our morning sales meeting, me and my co-employees went to Edsa upon hearing that Enrile and Ramos have broken away from Marcos.

Nuns manning the barricades.

Nuns manning the barricades.

“The mood in the area was very festive. Most of the people I talked with do not even know why they were there except looking for free food. Cigarette vendors, ambulant vendors abound. There was no critical mass in the area. People were converging in front of Tropical Hut since there were rumors that the store is going to give away food and drinks, I and my co-employees went back to Makati in the afternoon tired and we went to Pasay Road to go one into one of the watering holes that was popular during that time. I think it was chicken in a basket.

“I told my friends during that time that the Edsa revolution as it is being called is the revolution of the oligarchs who are against Marcos and nothing will change. The lives of the poor Filipinos will not improve except the lives of the old oligarchs. Also, the freedom that these people are extolling that will be given back to the Filipinos was freedom to be poor and hungry. Indeed, freedom of the press was restored and that’s it.”

The irony of EDSA People Power is captured by JB Baylon in an article he wrote for VERA Files: “Imagine that: free elections that are the fruits of EDSA may very end up restoring a Marcos into the highest echelons of government! That’s the price we pay for democracy?”

Cory takes his oath as president before Justice Claudio Teehankee. Dona Aurora Aquino looks on.

Cory takes his oath as president before Justice Claudio Teehankee. Dona Aurora Aquino looks on.


The film, EDSA XXX by renowned avant-garde filmmaker, KHAVN also tackles where we are now after 30 years. It opened last Wednesday City as part of the 4th edition of the Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival. It is still showing up to Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Cinema 4 of Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Mall, Mandaluyong

The festival theme is “truth X imagination.”

Festival Director Leni Velasco said, “We commemorate EDSA every year because 30 years ago, the nation saw truth and acted on it. The truth is 30 years after, we have forgotten this truth because we have been facing other truths as well, truths that we live with every day of our lives – the truth in the face of children living in the streets; of a mother whose child has disappeared; of women sexually abused or trafficked; of people discriminated because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression; of families torn apart by the need to look for greener pastures abroad; of workers living on deplorable working conditions; of parents who can barely provide food in their family’s tables; of farmers suffering from the impacts of climate change; of commuters losing their productivity and dignity in the horrible traffic situation; of public servants who makes corruption a sustainable living, of this May 2016 elections where the changes in leadership means nothing to ordinary Filipinos; of a government who has failed to live up to the promise of EDSA.”

Velasco said Active Vista explores the recurring questions “30 Years after EDSA, has nothing really changed? Are we better off now than we were before?” through a political satirical musical dedicated to “Filipinos who know how to live for love of freedom and liberty.”

For screening schedules, check out www.activevista.ph or call Kai 09151780240.

EDSA30 EDSA30

It has been 30 years since that one shining moment in Philippine history when the people came together to put an end to tyranny.

Rebel soldier reading Malaya. Photo by Joe Galvez.

Rebel soldier reading Malaya. Photo by Joe Galvez.

As Che Francisco, a colleague in Ang Pahayagang Malaya, remarked , “Parang kelan lang.”

On this day, Feb. 24, we, in Malaya were covering the fast-changing events non-stop. I was sleeping in the office. Malaya editors were working in a safe house as rumors were swirling about raids of newspapers unfriendly to Marcos.

In the evening after the editorial work, we would go to Camp Crame where Fidel V. Ramos, then the chief of the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police and then Defense Secretary Juan Ponce-Enrile, were holding fort together with the rebel soldiers and police officers after they declared on Feb. 22 that they were breaking away from then President Ferdinand Marcos who had been in power for 20 years.

I had come from a very moving and exhausting coverage of the burial of Evelio Javier, former governor of Antique and one of the leaders of Cory Aquino, who was killed on Feb. 11 while monitoring the canvassing of the results of the Feb. 7 presidential snap election in Antique.

Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile pressconThe noontime murder of Javier – the assassin run after him across the town plaza and finally caught up with him in the bathroom of one of the stores nearby- added to the already tense situation in the country.

There were reports of massive election irregularities in areas controlled by Marcos. Comelec tabulators walked out declaring that they do not want to be a party to cheating. Early election results as tabulated by the citizens’ quick count, NAMFREL, put Cory Aquino winning but the lead was slowly being eroded as votes from Marcos bailiwicks were coming in.

Cory called for civil disobedience if the people’s will would be frustrated by election results. Then Ramos and Enrile’s coup d’état which they called “the People’s Revolution.”

Noontime of Feb. 25, there were two inauguration of winners of the 1986 snap election. Marcos took his oath at the Malacanang balcony surrounded by grim-looking members of his family. Cory Aquino took her oath at Club Filipino in Greenhills before a jubilant crowd.

Evening of Feb. 25, Marcos and his family boarded a helicopter provided by the U.S. government from Malacanang grounds. They were brought to Clark Air Base where a C-130 was waiting which brought them to Hawaii.

Cory takes his oath as president before Justice Claudio Teehankee. Dona Aurora Aquino looks on.

Cory takes his oath as president before Justice Claudio Teehankee. Dona Aurora Aquino looks on.

That paved the way for Cory Aquino’s ascent to Malacanang. She declared a Revolutionary Government and disposed of the Constitution written under the Marcos regime. A new Constitution was written.

Four presidents have been elected – Ramos, Joseph Estrada (his term was cut short by another People Power), Gloria Arroyo, and Benigno Aquino III- under the 1987 Constitution.

It is significant that we are celebrating EDSA 30 with Cory Aquino’s son presiding the celebration. It’s like coming full circle.

The question frequently asked is, “Has life for the Filipino people changed for the better because of EDSA One?”

Whatever is said about EDSA One especially the fact that poverty remains a heavy burden for many Filipinos, we are better as a nation because of that four days in February that we stood up to end the Marcos dictatorship. Foremost is the restoration of democracy.

How we handled our regained freedom is all up to us.

Palitan na lang kaya ng dilaw ang watawat ng Pilipinas

Sen. Bongbong Marcos after delivering the sponsorship speech to name Iloilo highways after parents of President Aquino and Leyte highway after his uncle.

Sen. Bongbong Marcos after delivering the sponsorship speech to name Iloilo highways after parents of President Aquino and Leyte highway after his uncle.

Siguro naman seryoso si Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. sa kanyang pag-sponsor ng mga batas na ipangalan sa maa magulang ni Pangulong Aquino ang dalawang kalsada doon sa Panay.

Ang dalawang batas ay ideya ng mga kongresista na sina Arcadio H. Garriceta, Ronald M. Cosalan, Jerry P. Treñas, Arthur R. Defensor Jr., Neil C. Tiupas, Oscar “Richard” S. Garin Jr., atd Hernan G. Biron Jr. na nakasaad sa House Bills HB 4400 at HB 4398.

Nakasaad sa HB4400 na ipapangalan kay dating Pangulong Cory Aquino ang apat na lane na circumferential road simula sa kanto ng Iloilo-Dumangas Coastal Road sa Balabago, Jaro District, Iloilo City, papunta sa Buhang, Jaro, Tacas, Jaro at UngKa II, Pavia hanggang sa Mandurriao District, Iloilo City-Pavia-San Miguel . Aabot ang kalsada sa malapit Arevalo District sa Iloilo-Antique Road . Magiging “President Cory C. Aquino Avenue” ang kalsada.

Sa HB 4398 naman, gagawing “Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr” Avenue ang buong haba ng national highway sakop ang Iloilo Diversion Road/Iloilo Capiz Road na nagsisimula sa kanto ng General Luna hanggang sa gate ng Iloilo International Airport. Dadaan ang kalsada sa bayan ng Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, at Iloilo City.
Hindi lang naman ang mga magulang ni Pangulong Aquino ang nasa-isip ni Sen. Marcos. Inisip din niya ang ang kanyang tiyo na si Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, dating gubernador ng Leyte at ambassador ng Pilipinas sa United States.

Ipinasa sa mababang kapulungan ang HB 1042 na ginawa nina Conmgressman Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez at Ronald M. Cosalan.

Ayun daw kasi sa National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), maaring ipangalan sa mga kalsada na may “historical and cultural significance” ay makadagdag sa ating pagpahangala ng ating pagmamahal at pagmamalaki sa bayan. Kailangan daw hindi bababa sa sampung taon nang namayapa ang taong bigyan ng dangal sa pagpapangalan sa kanya ng kalsada.

Sorry, hindi pa tayo magkakaroon ng Kris Aquino Boulevard o Bimby Aquino Yap Boulevard.

Kamakailan lang inaprubahan na ang House committee on public works and highways na palitan ang pangalan ng North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) ng President Corazon C. Aquino Expressway (CAEX).

Sa Bicol naman,sabi ni Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson na ang ginagawa nilang highway sa Camarines Norte ay magiging “President Cory Aquino Boulevard.”

New Ant species named after former Pres. Cory Aquino. From ABS-CBN.

New Ant species named after former Pres. Cory Aquino. From ABS-CBN.


Hindi lang kalsada ang ipinapangalanan sa mga magulang ni Pangulong Aquino. Ipinangalanan din ng Museum of National History of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) ang bagong species ng langgam na kanilang nadiskubre sa kagubatan ng Palawan kay dating Pangulong Cory Aquino.

Kulang pa yata yan. Palitan na lang kaya natin ng dilaw ang ating watawat.

Palitan na lang kaya ng dilaw ang watawat ng Pilipinas

Sen. Bongbong Marcos after delivering the sponsorship speech to name Iloilo highways after parents of President Aquino and Leyte highway after his uncle.

Sen. Bongbong Marcos after delivering the sponsorship speech to name Iloilo highways after parents of President Aquino and Leyte highway after his uncle.

Siguro naman seryoso si Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. sa kanyang pag-sponsor ng mga batas na ipangalan sa maa magulang ni Pangulong Aquino ang dalawang kalsada doon sa Panay.

Ang dalawang batas ay ideya ng mga kongresista na sina Arcadio H. Garriceta, Ronald M. Cosalan, Jerry P. Treñas, Arthur R. Defensor Jr., Neil C. Tiupas, Oscar “Richard” S. Garin Jr., atd Hernan G. Biron Jr. na nakasaad sa House Bills HB 4400 at HB 4398.

Nakasaad sa HB4400 na ipapangalan kay dating Pangulong Cory Aquino ang apat na lane na circumferential road simula sa kanto ng Iloilo-Dumangas Coastal Road sa Balabago, Jaro District, Iloilo City, papunta sa Buhang, Jaro, Tacas, Jaro at UngKa II, Pavia hanggang sa Mandurriao District, Iloilo City-Pavia-San Miguel . Aabot ang kalsada sa malapit Arevalo District sa Iloilo-Antique Road . Magiging “President Cory C. Aquino Avenue” ang kalsada.

Sa HB 4398 naman, gagawing “Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr” Avenue ang buong haba ng national highway sakop ang Iloilo Diversion Road/Iloilo Capiz Road na nagsisimula sa kanto ng General Luna hanggang sa gate ng Iloilo International Airport. Dadaan ang kalsada sa bayan ng Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, at Iloilo City.
Hindi lang naman ang mga magulang ni Pangulong Aquino ang nasa-isip ni Sen. Marcos. Inisip din niya ang ang kanyang tiyo na si Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, dating gubernador ng Leyte at ambassador ng Pilipinas sa United States.

Ipinasa sa mababang kapulungan ang HB 1042 na ginawa nina Conmgressman Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez at Ronald M. Cosalan.

Ayun daw kasi sa National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), maaring ipangalan sa mga kalsada na may “historical and cultural significance” ay makadagdag sa ating pagpahangala ng ating pagmamahal at pagmamalaki sa bayan. Kailangan daw hindi bababa sa sampung taon nang namayapa ang taong bigyan ng dangal sa pagpapangalan sa kanya ng kalsada.

Sorry, hindi pa tayo magkakaroon ng Kris Aquino Boulevard o Bimby Aquino Yap Boulevard.

Kamakailan lang inaprubahan na ang House committee on public works and highways na palitan ang pangalan ng North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) ng President Corazon C. Aquino Expressway (CAEX).

Sa Bicol naman,sabi ni Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson na ang ginagawa nilang highway sa Camarines Norte ay magiging “President Cory Aquino Boulevard.”

New Ant species named after former Pres. Cory Aquino. From ABS-CBN.

New Ant species named after former Pres. Cory Aquino. From ABS-CBN.


Hindi lang kalsada ang ipinapangalanan sa mga magulang ni Pangulong Aquino. Ipinangalanan din ng Museum of National History of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) ang bagong species ng langgam na kanilang nadiskubre sa kagubatan ng Palawan kay dating Pangulong Cory Aquino.

Kulang pa yata yan. Palitan na lang kaya natin ng dilaw ang ating watawat.

Palitan na lang kaya ng dilaw ang watawat ng Pilipinas

Sen. Bongbong Marcos after delivering the sponsorship speech to name Iloilo highways after parents of President Aquino and Leyte highway after his uncle.

Sen. Bongbong Marcos after delivering the sponsorship speech to name Iloilo highways after parents of President Aquino and Leyte highway after his uncle.

Siguro naman seryoso si Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. sa kanyang pag-sponsor ng mga batas na ipangalan sa maa magulang ni Pangulong Aquino ang dalawang kalsada doon sa Panay.

Ang dalawang batas ay ideya ng mga kongresista na sina Arcadio H. Garriceta, Ronald M. Cosalan, Jerry P. Treñas, Arthur R. Defensor Jr., Neil C. Tiupas, Oscar “Richard” S. Garin Jr., atd Hernan G. Biron Jr. na nakasaad sa House Bills HB 4400 at HB 4398.

Nakasaad sa HB4400 na ipapangalan kay dating Pangulong Cory Aquino ang apat na lane na circumferential road simula sa kanto ng Iloilo-Dumangas Coastal Road sa Balabago, Jaro District, Iloilo City, papunta sa Buhang, Jaro, Tacas, Jaro at UngKa II, Pavia hanggang sa Mandurriao District, Iloilo City-Pavia-San Miguel . Aabot ang kalsada sa malapit Arevalo District sa Iloilo-Antique Road . Magiging “President Cory C. Aquino Avenue” ang kalsada.

Sa HB 4398 naman, gagawing “Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr” Avenue ang buong haba ng national highway sakop ang Iloilo Diversion Road/Iloilo Capiz Road na nagsisimula sa kanto ng General Luna hanggang sa gate ng Iloilo International Airport. Dadaan ang kalsada sa bayan ng Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, at Iloilo City.
Hindi lang naman ang mga magulang ni Pangulong Aquino ang nasa-isip ni Sen. Marcos. Inisip din niya ang ang kanyang tiyo na si Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, dating gubernador ng Leyte at ambassador ng Pilipinas sa United States.

Ipinasa sa mababang kapulungan ang HB 1042 na ginawa nina Conmgressman Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez at Ronald M. Cosalan.

Ayun daw kasi sa National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), maaring ipangalan sa mga kalsada na may “historical and cultural significance” ay makadagdag sa ating pagpahangala ng ating pagmamahal at pagmamalaki sa bayan. Kailangan daw hindi bababa sa sampung taon nang namayapa ang taong bigyan ng dangal sa pagpapangalan sa kanya ng kalsada.

Sorry, hindi pa tayo magkakaroon ng Kris Aquino Boulevard o Bimby Aquino Yap Boulevard.

Kamakailan lang inaprubahan na ang House committee on public works and highways na palitan ang pangalan ng North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) ng President Corazon C. Aquino Expressway (CAEX).

Sa Bicol naman,sabi ni Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson na ang ginagawa nilang highway sa Camarines Norte ay magiging “President Cory Aquino Boulevard.”

New Ant species named after former Pres. Cory Aquino. From ABS-CBN.

New Ant species named after former Pres. Cory Aquino. From ABS-CBN.


Hindi lang kalsada ang ipinapangalanan sa mga magulang ni Pangulong Aquino. Ipinangalanan din ng Museum of National History of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) ang bagong species ng langgam na kanilang nadiskubre sa kagubatan ng Palawan kay dating Pangulong Cory Aquino.

Kulang pa yata yan. Palitan na lang kaya natin ng dilaw ang ating watawat.