People Power Revolution Anniversary
Hundreds of thousands of people filling up Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), facing northbound towards the Boni Serrano Avenue-EDSA intersection.
(February 1986)
The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution, was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22–25, 1986. There was a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. The nonviolent revolution led to the departure of Ferdinand Marcos, the end of his 20-year presidential term and the restoration of democracy in the Philippines.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos at an armed forces full honor departure ceremony with Secretary of State, George Shultz, in attendence.
It is also referred to as the Yellow Revolution due to the presence of yellow ribbons during demonstrations (in reference to the Tony Orlando and Dawn song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree") following the assassination of Filipino senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. in August 1983 upon his return to the Philippines from exile. It was widely seen as a victory of the people against two decades of presidential rule by President Marcos, and made news headlines as "the revolution that surprised the world".
The majority of the demonstrations took place on a long stretch of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, more commonly known by its acronym EDSA, in Metro Manila from February 22–25, 1986. They involved over two million Filipino civilians, as well as several political and military groups, and religious groups led by Cardinal Jaime Sin, the Archbishop of Manila, along with Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines President Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, the Archbishop of Cebu. The protests, fueled by the resistance and opposition from years of governance by President Marcos and his cronies, culminated with the absolute ruler and his family fleeing Malacañang Palace to exile in Hawaii. Ninoy Aquino's widow, Corazon Aquino, was immediately installed as the eleventh President as a result of the revolution.
Corazon Aquino was inaugurated as the 11th president of the Philippines on February 25, 1986 at Sampaguita Hall.
Though sometimes described as a peaceful revolution, the People Power Revolution coincided with more militant and violent revolutionary movements that had formed during the Marcos dictatorship, namely the communist CPP–NPA–NDF rebellion and the Muslim independence movement of the Moro National Liberation Front.
L hand sign
The L hand symbol (done by extending the thumb and the index finger pointing up) may connote "loser" for Westerners. But for Filipinos, it stands for "laban" (to fight), and was the famous hand gesture of protesters during the People Power Revolution.
Laban also happens to be the acronym for Laban ng Bayan, a political coalition formed by former senator Benigno Aquino Jr in 1978. The symbol was first seen during that year's elections, and again during his funeral parade in 1983.
Radio Veritas
Radio Veritas, or dzRV, played a vital role in informing the public about events during the EDSA revolution. It became the vehicle for people to gather in 1986, after former Jaime Cardinal Sin made a public call for support through the radio station.
Radio Veritas also covered events that government-owned stations didn't cover: a live long distance interview with Aquino during his US exile, his assassination and funeral procession, the campaign of Cory Aquino for the snap elections, and the tally of election results.
The radio station was inaugurated in 1969, or 17 years before the People Power Revolution.
Salubong
The "salubong" is one of the most celebrated parts of the People Power Revolution. The term refers to the converging of military and security forces with the civilian attendees to join the protest against the administration.
The re-enactment of this part of the EDSA revolution is among the events included in the commemoration of the uprising.
EDSA Shrine
Also called Mary Queen of Peace Shrine, the shrine was constructed in honor of the Virgin Mary to give thanks for the peaceful EDSA revolution. It is located at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue and lies on a lot donated by Don Paco Ortigas and John Gokongwei.
The structure was designed by architect (and now National Artist) Francisco Mañosa and was completed in 1989 – 3 years after the revolution.
Robinsons Galleria, the mall just behind the shrine, was constructed and opened in 1990.
People Power Monument
Another structure built to commemorate the EDSA revolution is the People Power Monument, located at the corner of EDSA and White Plains Avenue, less than a kilometer away from the EDSA Shrine.
The monument was built by sculptor Eduardo Castrillo and was finished in 1993 – or 7 years after the revolution.
Club Filipino
Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan became notable for being the venue of Cory Aquino's presidential inauguration in 1986, and later the venue where her son announced his bid for the presidency in 2009.
The place was established as early as November 1898 and served as an exclusive social club for illustrados and politicians. It originally bore the name Club Filipino Independiente. Americans later renamed it Club International, then Club (pronounced "Cloob") Filipino.
Club Filipino was built with no official clubhouse, though. The structure in San Juan was inaugurated only in 1970.
Camp Aguinaldo
Camp Aguinaldo was one of the rallying points during the EDSA Revolution, with then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile defecting against the administration.
The camp was established in 1935 and was originally called Camp Murphy, in honor of the first American high commissioner Frank Murphy. It originally covered the current areas of both Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame.
The two camps were separated after World War II. Camp Murphy was renamed Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1965, after the country's first president.
Camp Crame
Camp Crame also was a significant point in the revolution, as then Defense Minister Enrile crossed from Camp Aguinaldo to Camp Crame to join then Philippine Constabulary chief Fidel Ramos.
The camp was named after Rafael Crame, the first Filipino brigadier general of the Philippine Constabulary, and was used as the headquarters of the Philippine Constabulary which was then part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
It now houses the Philippine National Police, which was established only in 1991 as an entity separate from the AFP.
Bayan Ko
"Bayan Ko" (My Country) is one of the most famous anthems of Marcos oppositionists, with folk singer Freddie Aguilar recording it in 1978.
The song was actually composed in 1928 by Constancio de Guzman and Jose Corazon de Jesus during the country's struggle for independence against the US.
When it emerged during Marcos' time, it was banned and was deemed seditious.
Other than during the EDSA revolution, the song was also sung during the funeral of senator Aquino.
Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo
Another EDSA revolution anthem is "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo" (The Gift of Filipinos to the World), a song composed by songwriter Jim Paredes and recorded by various Filipino artists two months after the revolution.
Magkaisa
Magkaisa (Unite) is another song made popular after the EDSA revolution. It was composed by now senator Vicente Sotto and was sung by Virna Lisa Loberiza.
Loberiza is now married and is living in the US with her husband and 3 children.