The legacy of EDSA People Power

It was a Tuesday morning, Feb. 25, 1986. I had been staying in EDSA since Saturday evening along with more than a million other Filipinos. That morning, I was told that Corazon Aquino was going to take her oath as president of the Republic of the Philippines. Finally, the 14-year Marcos dictatorship would come to an end.

I decided to walk to Club Filipino to witness this historical occasion. When I got there after walking from EDSA, the room where the oathtaking would be held was already overcrowded. The entire premises of Club Filipino was also jampacked. I waited on the street right beside the Greenhills Shopping Center, right in front of Club Filipino, for some companions who were fortunate to have found space in the crowded room.

Later, I was able to get a copy of the inaugural speech of President Cory Aquino. It was brief but has always communicated her message in a memorable way. Here is her speech:

“My brothers and sisters, I am grateful to the authority you have given me today and I promise to offer all that I can do to serve you.

It is fitting and proper that, as our people lost their rights and liberties at midnight 14 years ago, the people should formally recover those rights and liberties in the full light of day. Ninoy believed that only the united strength of the Filipino people would suffice to overturn a tyranny so evil and so well organized. The brutal murder of Ninoy created that unity and strength that has come to be known as Lakas ng Bayan – People Power.

“People Power shattered the dictatorship, protected those in the military that chose freedom and today has established a government dedicated to this protection and meaningful fulfillment over rights and liberties.

“We became exiles. We Filipinos who are at home only in freedom when Marcos destroyed the republic 14 years ago.

“Now by God’s grace and the power of the people, we are free again. We want to make a special appeal to those who have not yet joined us. Do not engage in any further action and instead, be among those who will lend a hand to rebuild the country.”

There is now a new generation of Filipinos who have very little knowledge of the Marcos dictatorship. Then there are those