Despite the scorching heat and traffic, many Filipinos were festive and optimistic as they gathered in EDSA to celebrate the 25th People Power I anniversary.
Daisy Banaoag, an 18 yr old UST student, said that although she was unable to witness firsthand the People Power Revolution, she feels euphoric as she celebrates with the rest of the Filipinos.
She said, “iba yung feeling na andito ka mismo sa EDSA, nakakaluha sa saya lalo na noong nireinact nila ang salubungan.”
Banaoag added, “kahit hindi pa tayo pinapanganak noong 1986, we must still acknowledge yung ginawa ng mga tao noon for us dahil kung hindi sa kanila, hindi natin maeexperience yung freedom na meron tayo ngayon.”
Lope Bisnar, a 57 yr old housing agent from Cavite, said, “iba yung pakiramdam na nandito mismo ngayon, parang nananatili pa rin yung pakiramdam ng pag-asa.”
Bisnar said that despite the problems faced by the country today, he still remains hopeful that the promise of EDSA will be fulfilled someday.
“Pagkatapos ng 25 taon, naniniwala’t umaasa pa rin ako sa pagbabago,” he said.
Policarpio Martiga, a 71 yr old civil rights activist from Bulacan, added, “bagamat hopeless sa pagbabago ang karamihan sa atin, nais ko pa rin ituloy ang pagbabagong nasimulan namin noon.”
Martiga, an advocate of non-violence activism, said that there has always been hope but prays that people will begin to see it and fight for it.
"Kaya kami nandito ngayon kasama ang pamilya namin para buhayin ang kasaysayan, buhayin ang pag-asa at ang diwa ng EDSA,” he said.
Jocelyn Gumban, a 43 yr old street vendor who has been selling yellow shirts and ribbons since 1986, said that the celebration this year seems to be more festive unlike the previous years.
“Mas okay ngayon, mas buhay, mas masaya, mas ginugunita natin ngayon yung nangyari noon,” she said.
Gumban disclosed that she has earned more this year compared with the previous EDSA anniversaries, particularly during former President Gloria Arroyo’s time.
Sis. Maxima Pilaez, however, said that it isn’t as celebrated and as meaningful unlike before.
“Most of the people who are here today don’t really know the meaning of the EDSA Revolution,” she said.
Sis. Pilaez added that many of those who visited were just compelled to visit EDSA like the students, the military and even the MMDA.
Moreover she said, “it’s sad to see that the young don’t really care anymore. Kaya dapat buhayin ang spirit ng EDSA,”
However, Sis. Pilaez said that despite of such national apathy, she is thankful for the freedom that the Lord has given to the Filipinos.
PO1 Joey Pedro also said, “parang normal lang na fiesta at normal lang na work day ngayon.”
He said that the police was just required to go to EDSA in commemoration of the event.
But Pedro added, “mukhang successful naman yung event ngayon dahil wala naman masyadong gulo… peaceful at secured.”
Lorna Hinautan, a 30 yr old MMDA official, also said that the celebration is like any other holiday.
“Required lang rin kami pumunta… kung hindi required, hindi naman ako pupunta,” she added.
According to a source, around 30,000 people joined the celebration.
The People Power Revoliton ended the 21-year dictatorial rule of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. #
Note: This is also an article I wrote for my Journalism class. I have been enjoying writing news lately.
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