With the theme “EDSA 2019: Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Pambansang Kapayapaan,” guest speakers delivered speeches purposed to empower the Filipinos in once more committing themselves to the country in commemoration of the the 33rd anniversary of the 1986 People Power EDSA Revolution yesterday, February 25, at the EDSA People Power Monument, Quezon City.
Photos by Enrique Bejar and Ricardo Yan II
At the start of the program, former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos and Department of Education (DepEd) Curriculum and Instruction Undersecretary Lorna Dig-Dino headed the flag-raising rites. As for the wreath-laying rites, Dig-Dino and Ramos were joined by Rene R. Escalante, Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and EDSA People Power Commission (PPC).
Everyone has a role
Dig-Dino stated in her speech that the lessons learned from the said revolution are usap, unawa, at kalinga. Her point focused on the importance of providing child-friendly and proper education for children to become excellent citizens of the Philippines.
“Kahit maliit ka pa lang, pwede ka magmahal sa iyong bayan, kasi ikaw [ay] may pagmamalasakit. Bata ka pa, pwede ka nang gumawa para sa ating komunidad kahit [nasaan] ka pa man,” she said. “We are supposed to passionately love our country, not only in words but in deeds.”
Photos by Enrique Bejar and Ricardo Yan II
Moreover, The Benildean spoke with Dig-Dino about the purpose and significance of the EDSA People Power Revolution. She stated that everyone has a role to play regardless of their ‘socioeconomic’ status and positions in respective organizations.
“Kailangan lang talaga ay bawat isa, we need to perform our role of being excellent, na may pagmamalasakit sa kapwa, na may pagmamalasakit, pagmamahal sa Diyos, pagmamahal sa Bansa.” For Dig-Dino, it is a commemoration of people being unified for a common cause.
According to her, it is significant because, “keeping those lessons [taught by the event] alive would mean ‘let’s not just talk or read about it, let us make sure that each one would be able to reflect these in our day to day life.’ […] Hindi naman pwede magkaroon ng peace, growth at inclusive education kung wala sa aksyon ng mga ginagawa.”
Vice-Chairman of the EDSA PPC PA Joey Concepcion gave his welcoming remarks that was followed by an intermission number “Tagumpay Nating Lahat” performed by singer Kris Angelica.
Concepcion highlighted democracy from being a military ordeal to an economical one. He expressed hope that the citizens in the “bottom of the pyramid [the marginalized]” may work their way up to the middle class, since “Filipinos were never destined for poverty.” He terms that the next revolution is being transformed into an economic revolution from a military revolution with current President Rodrigo Duterte making way for peace in Mindanao’s military warfare. He said there should be peaceful revolution worldwide, and not just on a national-basis.
Special Guests from different sectors were given a chances to share their messages about the event; Sister Sara Manopol was the representative from the Religious Sector while General Antonio Sotelo represented the Military Sector.
Representative from the Civilian Sector Reli German shared that despite the country remembering the purpose of the event, Filipinos have become dependent on it in solving national problems.
Photos by Enrique Bejar and Ricardo Yan II
“Ang iniisip natin sa EDSA People Power Revolution, ito ang magdadala sa atin ng himala, ng instant solution doon sa mga problema […] ‘wag tayong umasa na ito ang maglulutas ng problema natin. […] Pinabayaan natin ang ating sarili, pinabayaan natin ang ating bansa, umasa tayo sa isang pangyayari,” German emphasized on why the country is still a long way to go before solving its issues that can be solved by working and sacrificing for its advancement.
This was followed by the conferring of the Freedom Awardees theater artist Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Marianne Hontiveros, and photojournalist Eufrosino Camarillo.
In an interview with The Benildean, Hontiveros explained the significance of EDSA People Power Revolution as “one of the finest moments of the Filipino people” due to its unifying power that “[toppled] a dictatorship in a peaceful manner.” She believes that in today’s society, people have the “power to change the course of destiny” if they stand together and do what is right; that the change is in the people rather than the government and the leaders.
In light of the millennials’ role for this revolution Hontiveros said, “We fought hard to regain freedom of speech, we fought hard to free ourselves from a ruthless dictatorship. And you have it now, so you’ve got to guard it. You must make sure that no dictator ever comes again, and you have to make sure that the hard-fought right to free speech is protected, but that also comes with the responsibility of you, young millennials, who have social media you’re free to speak whatever you speak very important that you always shine a light to the truth. You’ve got all the tools you need to find out what the truth is.”
The commemoration was concluded with singing of “Bayan Ko/Magkaisa/Ako’y Pilipino” performed by Renz Verano and “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” performed by Kris Angelica and Edwin Cando, while confetti shots were fired as people cheered.
