JANGAS, JOVANNY COL HISTORY 101

BSN 111-K
EDSA REVOLUTION

Was EDSA a revolution? I am confused and doubt if it was a revolution. It might

be a reform since there was a changed and improvement by correcting faults, removing
inconsistencies and abuses. For many, Revolutions is the violent overthrow of the
reigning government, but EDSA was not a violent demonstration. However the term
revolution is generally accepted to mean replacing a prior regime through extraordinary
means. The EDSA revolution remains extraordinary, isn’t it? And there was a changed
in a political system which was dictatorship.
Many people wonder and asked why a revolution was successful? There are lots
of things contribute toward the success of EDSA revolution. It has been long
debated on how millions of people were able to topple down the dictatorship type
of government with almost no bloodshed. Many said it’s because the power of
prayer to their God’s. Some says it’s because of the Filipino character and
attitude, then what is that character and attitude? And others claim that because
of their presence in rallies. Some are in rallies not knowing of what they are
doing, because most people came here so I just join them, was it the right
character and attitude of a Filipino? That shows “katangahan”. Then what was
the reason behind or the driving force? A historian says it’s because of
negotiations between Marcos and US government. So if this is the reason, then
America matters a lot why EDSA revolution is successful. Was it enough? Others
claim that it was the CBCP involvement that ultimately led the revolution’s
success. Then either of them contributes toward the success of EDSA revolution.
No questions and no doubt that EDSA revolution illuminate clearly that no one
was defeated. It was a fight between a Filipino. The real enemies were not the
armed forces of the Philippines and the military but in the presidential residence.

February of 1986, when the Filipino people made a history by making a stand and fight
the oppressor. They express boldly their feelings and their convictions against Marcos
government, notwithstanding the danger facing the giant monster who invades the
fellow Filipino people and rule the country with greed and corruptions. Filipino people
believed that enough is enough, it is the time to oust the dictator who does selfish things
and for his own good.

It was a very remarkable phenomenon, not only throughout the Philippine history,
but also with the world history. Nowhere in this planet, in the past centuries, was such
similar exercise shown by any nation. It was a thrilling experience, with lots of
indescribable and mixed emotions. Filipino people were shouting to oust the reigning
president. Many were astonished that such a peaceful exercise would overthrow a
strongman President from his position. Peaceful, meaning no guns were used to unseat
him.

The whole stretch of EDSA was filled with happy scenery and moods. None such
event was in the country for the past decade due to suppression of martial law. And now
given a chance, everybody was enthusiastic and eager to participate in this one chance
in a lifetime event. In fact, many are at EDSA not because they wanted to unseat a
strong leader. It was what everybody was doing, isn’t it right? This is one of the
characters that we have and we cannot deny it. Many Filipino people participated rallies
to oust the reigning president but how about those Filipino people who are not in rallies,
are they part of success?

It would be very ridiculous to interpret that Filipinos at that time were politically
mature, given the setting of oppression of information about national concerns, with
some of the events in Philippine history revised to favor the incumbent, opposition
leaders being jailed and assassinated, news being reformatted so it would not destroy
the country’s image. It can be safely deduced that Filipinos at that time were politically
immature. But still, it would not be reasonable not to accept the fact that majority of the
mood was anti-Marcos, due to slow down of economy in which the common Filipino
would feel as increased in prices of basic commodities. It created doubt and many
people are suspicious regarding his government. Many hesitations enveloped the minds
of every Filipino. Was he the right president that I voted last election? This was the
question sunk in the mind of every individual. Until situations picture clearly of what is
happening to our country and began saying, he is not what he used to be, we need a
good leader to guide us. Then it led to the rise of crime and civil unrest around the
country and the formation of NPA and MILF.

But who were in front of the political stage? Marcos family and cronies
dominating the scenes and all the political scripts, vs. their political foes being
oppressed, jailed, silenced, and seeking political asylum with the United States some,
after shouting anti-US-Marcos regime in the street. It was a battle of positions, the anti-
US-Marcos regime claiming they were at the side of the masses, while in fact it was
their own interests, their properties, business interests and positions they were fighting
for. That’s how Marcos shows his true color.

The common Filipino was just watching uninterestingly, not knowing these events
affected his living. Unconsciously we are like this. There is no unity. Campaigns for the
coming snap elections were filled with anti-Marcos issues, with the head of Benigno
Aquino’s assassination, high inflation and unemployment rates, deflation of peso and
increasing poverty. Dominating mood, of course, is the spirit of “antis” as the common
Filipino attitude of “kontrabida” prevailed, with economic concerns at stake. Another
attitude of “maawain” came, as the widow of the oppressed and assassinated, Ninoy,
became the opponent of the strongman for the presidency. Of course, not to forget the
position of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, everything was in favor of the “antis”.

What sparked the spread of the “anti” mood was the obvious manipulation of the
result of the election. The Filipino, in his small capacity, would not want his right, his
right for suffrage, be trampled down. Still, Filipinos at that time were immature politically
and did not know what to do. After the election, the Marcos’ characters in the political
stage were replaced by their enemies, and the viewers were enjoying. Not only that
Marcos’ characters were replaced, the viewers were encouraged to join the stage and
participate with the story. The people enjoying the events, festivities were everywhere,
emotions were very high. And the main “antis” were very happy. Their “talent fees”
would be paid. They would finally regain their position. The viewers who joined the story
would get what? Freedom? This was the word shouted by the “antis” as the “prize” for
participating. And the common Filipino accepted it. And that was their mistake.

The EDSA Revolution is the first of its kind. No blood smeared in the streets,
nobody was hurt. The oppressor was ousted and the people rejoiced. There was
democracy once more. The Filipino people had made a stand and they stood firm by
their belief. For them, this event will forever be in the history books and never will it die,
for it embodies the true Filipino spirit alive in every individual Filipino. EDSA Revolution
brought back democratic government .The courage, sacrifices, and faith of the Filipinos
won. The admiration of the World .Our country served as an inspiration to other Asian
Countries. It showed that God answers the United Prayers of Christians and made a
miracle in the country. And free from the oppressor.

Who became free? Filipinos? From what? Everybody could buy what he wanted
as long as he could afford; no restrictions from the government. Anyone could travel
from Batanes to Jolo without interference from the police or the army. Anyone could
send their kids to whatever school they wanted, as long as they can pay the tuition fees.
What freedom was being talked about? Freedom to criticize the government. That was
the freedom the “antis” were after. It was not the concern of the common Filipino. The
concern of the common Filipino was economic freedom. Was that given after the so
called “People Power Revolution”? We should not be blinded by the success that we
had against the dictator. But we must question ourselves, are we improving after the
revolution? Then if you are, then do not fool yourself.