Thirty-nine years ago today, the stories and memories of the EDSA People Power Revolution remain fresh and clear, etched in the minds of its witnesses.
Gino Castillo, a 60-year-old father from Camalig, Albay, who was barely out of his teenage years at the time of the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986, shared how his sudden involvement in the protest opened his eyes to the cruel dictatorship of late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.
“I was in Valenzuela when my friends invited me. We just wanted to watch, but by the time we got to Quezon Boulevard, there were already so many people,” he recalled.
As he stepped onto EDSA, the electrifying energy of the crowd pulled him in. People from all walks of life—nuns, office workers, families, and students like him—stood side by side against a dictator.
Marcos Sr. claimed victory after the snap election on February 7, 1986, which was later deemed a blatant manipulation of votes, robbing Corazon “Cory” Aquino of the presidency. This ignited public outrage and fueled the movement for democracy.
The Avenue of Solidarity
The nation’s growing unrest fueled key government officials to defect from Marcos’ administration and secretly form an alliance against him. Among them were then-Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and former Armed Forces Chief General Fidel Ramos, both of whom played crucial roles in challenging the dictator’s rule.
Religious leaders also joined the movement, with the Catholic Church taking a stand for democracy. Cardinal Jaime Sin, then-Archbishop of Manila, used the influential voice of Radyo Veritas to call on the public to participate in the movement.
From February 22 to 25, 1986, Filipinos endured hunger, thirst, and a whirlwind of emotions as they gathered along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). United by a common cause, they stood against a two-decade-long dictatorship that refused to relinquish power.
The cold floor of the avenue for those sleepless nights is a picture of resilience that nothing could break but the guarantee of change. Millions of protesters formed human barricades, determined to prevent military tanks from advancing—despite the looming threat of violence.
Soon, the lines between the protesters and the military began to blur. Yet, soldiers were met not with aggression but with prayers, flowers, and songs, urging them to side with the people rather than uphold a regime that ruled through fear and oppression.
“Some soldiers were exhausted and hungry. We gave them food and water,” Castillo recounted.
In that moment, the protest became more than just a political demonstration—it became a testament to the power of humanity and unity.
The rallying cry inspired millions, strengthening the people’s resolve until the dictatorship finally crumbled, and the Marcos regime was forced to flee the palace.
Ballots of Democracy
Just as democracy was once threatened by electoral fraud, it was also weakened by the suppression of press freedom.
During Martial Law, independent media were silenced, journalists were arrested, and only government-controlled propaganda was allowed. The truth was hidden from the people, preventing them from making informed choices.
“During Marcos’ time, the media was almost non-existent, and on top of that, he was able to suppress it. Anyone who went against him was silenced,” Castillo added.
Today, while the media landscape has changed, the threat of misinformation and manipulation persists, making vigilance more crucial than ever. The democracy we have achieved requires a continuous fight for the protection of a free press.
More importantly, as the Philippine government approaches another crucial election, the spirit of the EDSA Revolution calls on Filipinos once again—not to fill the streets, but to fill the ballot boxes with informed and conscious votes.
“We should vote wisely, not be influenced by material gifts, nor trade our votes,” said Bayani Yulo, a resident of Naga, Camarines Sur, in Bicol.
As the EDSA People Power Revolution marks its 39th anniversary, it stands as a powerful reminder to entrust our votes to qualified and well-informed leaders—those who uphold justice, embody integrity, and truly listen to the voices of the people they serve, without resorting to violence or oppression. It calls for leaders who honor the sacrifices of the past and safeguard the true history of Philippine democracy, free from historical revisionism and manipulation.I Erica Monilla Razo, Helen Grace Balean, Nicole Castillo