Irish Katherine M.
Jamora BAPS2
Thousands of voices are still unheard. Justice has not yet been served. Many Filipinos are
still blind to what is truth and who is the true leader. Do we really achieve the democracy that
our ancestors fought for to be free from those dictatorships? Definitely no, and sometimes
maybe yes. Were we really just confused by so many things? or we are just lacking knowledge
about this matter. We are so blind to the fact that we forgot those people who killed, tortured,
and disappeared because of cruelness to those in position. As a student who studied social
sciences, we are awake to the truth; we are free from those blindfolds that political dynasties
instilled in us on the very first day. We are fed up with government fraud and corruption. We
can't just disregard the effort and sacrifices of those more than two million people who fought
back and sacrificed their lives in order to restore our democracy. Therefore, I disagreed with
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as he did not officially declare a non-working holiday for the EDSA People
Power Revolution this February 25, 2025. It feels ironic how the constitution considered the
Chinese New Year and not commemorating the EDSA People’s Power Revolution.
February 25 is a remarkable date for every Filipino who commemorates this historic
event. EDSA People Power Revolution, a milestone that ended Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s
dictatorship and restored democracy. Millions of Filipinos gathered on EDSA in Metro Manila
using a nonviolent protest against electoral fraud, corruption, and human rights violations. The
revolution resulted in Marcos fleeing to exile in Hawaii and swearing-in Corazon Aquino, the
widow assassinated opposition leader Ninoy Aquino, as the new president of the Philippines.
Past Philippine presidents such as Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III
openly commemorated EDSA; therefore, why did Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not do the same and is
still quiet on this topic? Many of us probably ask why. There is a big question in our heads that
needs to be answered. So here’s the reason why, EDSA People Power Revolution has a direct
impact in their family legacy. It led to the downfall of Marcos Sr., forcing their family into exile,
this event reminding of the loss of political power of Marcoses and forced migration from the
Philippines. President Marcos Jr. avoids acknowledging this event because this view is negative
for his family due to the corruption, human rights violations, and martial law that occurred in
his father's administration. Lastly, Marcos family give a lot of effort to restore their reputation,
so why commemorating EDSA that can damage their political image.
Yes, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has his own reason why he avoids commemorating this
historical event, but he is that selfish enough to think only of his reputation and his family and
not the welfare of millions of Filipinos that depend on good government. Commemorating this
event reminds us of the unity, courage, and commitment of every Filipino to achieve the
democracy that everyone deserves. This event is an eye-opener to us and to the future
generation by understanding their struggle under the dictatorships. It also teaches us that we
shouldn’t settle for less; we have rights, and our rights are not to be violated, whoever they are.
Whether they are president or ordinary people, they have no right to violate the rights of every
individual. Therefore, likewise, as to those who fought for the democracy that now we
experience, we also need to fight and do the same as they did; we need to commemorate this
event that frees us from those people and gives us hope to start again. We should not forget the
extrajudicial killing and disappearances of so many people, torture, and killing of so many
civilians. They deserved justice as well as to be remembered as new heroes that gave their lives
just to open the eyes of every Filipino and wake up from the nightmare they experienced in the
hands of dictatorships. In conclusion, EDSA teaches us that change can be achieved peacefully
as long as there is unity and determination; the lessons and sacrifices of every person will not
be wasted, and the EDSA People Power Revolution will never be forgotten.