Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 25) — The legacy of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution lives on as Filipinos continue to embody unity and love of country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo both expressed Friday.
“It has been 36 years, but the events of the People Power Revolution remain vivid in our memory, when millions of Filipinos gathered at EDSA to reclaim our nation’s democracy,” President Duterte’s message read.
“This celebration serves as a strong reminder that with unity, cooperation and faith, there is nothing that we cannot collectively achieve for the greater good of our country,” he further said.
President Rodrigo Duterte on the 36th anniversary of the People Power Revolution: This celebration serves as a strong reminder that with unity, cooperation and faith, there is nothing that we cannot collectively achieve for the greater good of our country. pic.twitter.com/AUUzOQWpKz
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) February 25, 2022
Meanwhile, Vice President Robredo stressed that the revolution’s essence goes beyond the surnames of those involved in it.
“Ang kuwento ng EDSA, kuwento ng pagtindig at paglaban para sa pangarap ng paglaya. Kuwento ito ng pagkakaisa ng kabataan at matatanda, ng buong bansa, ng mga madreng lumuluhod sa harap ng baril at sa mga sundalong di mapigilang maluha nang sabitan ng rosary ang mga baril na ito. Kuwento ito ng pagmamahal,” said Robredo.
[Translation: The story of EDSA is one of standing up for the country’s dream of freedom. It is a story of unity of the young and the old, the entire country, the nuns who knelt in front of guns, and the soldiers who couldn’t help but cry when rosaries were hung on these guns. It is a story of love.]
Both leaders reminded that the spirit of the first People Power in the Philippines remains alive as reflected through the honest and helping acts of some people whether in the government, in the medical field, and calamity-ravaged places.
“Let us emulate their heroism, selflessness and compassion as we strive to recover from our present challenges and march forward to a better Philippines for all,” Duterte expressed.
The EDSA People Power Revolution restored the nation’s democracy after Filipinos from all walks of life stormed the streets and forced the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who fleed with his family to Hawaii in exile.
Vice President Leni Robredo on EDSA People Power Revolution 36th anniversary: Higit pa sa pangalan o apelyido ang diwa ng araw na ito. Ang kuwento ng EDSA, kuwento ng pagtindig at paglaban para sa pangarap ng paglaya. | @anjocalimario pic.twitter.com/yme0k0BxJK
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) February 24, 2022
