Inside Philippine politics & beyond

PNoy cancels the 1986 Edsa People Power celebrations in Manila

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By Raïssa Robles

First they decided to change the venue. now they’ve decided to call the whole thing off.

I’ve just received official word that the traditional February 25 People Power commemoration, which was supposed to have been relocated from Edsa to inside Malacañang,  has been canceled. As in, forget it, folks, Don’t bother showing up. Ain’t gonna happen.

There will be no official People Power Celebration this year in Metro Manila.

According to the announcement, President Benigno Aquino III, son of the original icon of democracy Corazon Aquino who was propelled to the presidency by Edsa 1986, will instead “lead celebrations” in the disaster-stricken provinces.

Aquino will hold a “pulong bayan” (town hall meeting) in the provinces as a way of “bringing Edsa to the people,”  the press release said.

Wait a minute, correct me if I’m wrong in thinking this: Edsa IS the people. It is not Malacañang Palace, neither is it the Aquino family. So the phrase – “bring Edsa to the people” – is meaningless.

Actually, the whole thing started a few days back when Presidential Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma announced that the traditional February 25 rites this year would be moved from the Edsa People Power monument to the Palace grounds “to give consideration to commuters who use the said thoroughfare where various government infrastructure projects have already been initiated.”

If traffic is the reason for scrapping the commemoration, why not also cancel celebrating Christmas?  After all, it’s the biggest cause of traffic jams in Manila. Why, even previous  senior diplomats of the US Embassy  made fun of the Christmas gridlock. You can listen to the song they sang during one Foreign Correspondent Association of the Philippines Christmas party:

Of course, by now many people might no longer care about celebrating Edsa. And perhaps this administration has finally joined the ranks of those who think so.

Instead, though nobody in government wants to say it out loud – the reason this administration is cramming 15 road works projects is so that Aquino – when he steps down from office in 2016 – can point to all of them as his “legacy projects.”

I guess every president of the Philippines gets smitten by some sort of edifice complex sometime in his term.

Aquino wants to be remembered in history.

The man who had never accomplished much in his lifetime now wants to be remembered for 15 road projects.

I find that sad.

To me, as a student of history and politics, PNoy will be remembered as the first president who ever told Filipinos – “Kayo ang boss ko.”

He doesn’t seem to know it yet, but that is his biggest legacy.

That turns a century of Philippine politics and oppression on its head.

At times, even PNoy needs reminding of his own phrase, especially now with the introduction of criminal Internet libel in the nation’s statutes.

He recently justified his backing for online libel by saying –

“Kayo bilang mga responsableng mamamahayag, may mga karapatan kayo, meron din namang hangganan ang karapatan ng lahat ‘di ba? Ang turo sa atin noong tayo ay nag-aaral, your rights end where they impinge on the rights of others.”

I have made inquiries and learned that President Aquino is not at all familiar with Facebook, much less Twitter. So he is under the mistaken notion that the Internet is mainly used by journalists. So he talks about the rights and responsibilities of journalists.

But what about his “bosses” – the people.

He appears to tell them – “Ang turo sa atin noong tayo ay nag-aaral (We were taught in school), your rights end where they impinge on the rights of others.”

PNoy is aware that in the Philippines a powerful and rich few have more rights than the vast majority.

Now along comes this technological wonder called the Internet. It gives more rights to the ordinary person. Not just to the journalist but to anybody who can access the Internet. Today, that includes even taxi drivers, restaurant waiters and other blue collar workers.

Remember the fable about the Prince who wanted to know what was really happening in the Kingdom? One night,he slipped out of the Palace in disguise and went to a  tavern to drink. There he heard straight from the mouth of his subjects how they regarded his father the King, the Prince himself and how the Kingdom was run.

Today, political leaders can get first hand information on how ordinary voters really feel about their governance by going to Facebook and Twitter. Of course, they would have to be discerning but they will get a good idea.

This is the world that Internet libel wishes to control and reduce.

So when PNoy said, “your rights end where they impinge on the rights of others,” this really has to be placed in context of Philippine reality: The rich and the powerful have more rights. True, ordinary people on the Internet impinge on the rights of the rich and the powerful, but it is because they want to equalize the rights.

And isn’t that in our social contract – the 1987 Constitution?

Article XIII, Section 1 of the Constitution states that “The Congress shall give the highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably diffusing wealth and political power for the common good.”

Internet Libel – the way it is currently worded – does the exact opposite of reducing social, economic and political inequalities.

Internet libel mocks the 1986 Edsa people power and its promise to equalize opportunities.

Comments

  1. DZMM TV announces ‘FVR will lead EDSA Tuesday’…’Protest on Libel Law’ will be denounced!

    …Let Us Make This Happen…

    …See You Again This Time…at EDSA! Announce ‘n Denounce…A LOUD ‘n CLEAR

    …Exercise It All At EDSA…Free Speech, Free Press, Free Internet and Abolish Libel law ATBPA!

    • RAMOS …. just for the EDSA but he cant’ be trusted anymore…. A grafter always the 2nd cousin of MARCOS…..the emergency powers he had during his term give risebto the EPIRA LAW.

    • MANILA, Philippines – Former president and Edsa icon Fidel Valdez Ramos will lead the start of the Edsa People Power 1 celebration on Monday at the Heroes’ Cemetery (Libingan ng mga Bayani) in Fort Bonifacio, Malacañang said.

      The former head of the Philippine Constabulary will be at the helm of the flag raising and wreath laying event to pay respects to the martyrs and heroes of martial law.

      Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/580045/ramos-to-jump-start-edsa-celebration-on-monday-palace#ixzz2u7zR6d00
      ——————————————————————————————————————–
      this is our good chance na sabayan din natin si fvr sa kanyang activities by starting putting up for the meantime an improvise cross or markers, lay flowers and lighted candles sa plaza miranda, feati, naia, etc.

      Victin Luz says:
      February 14, 2014 at 6:44 am
      Santillan the student activies ( KM ) whose brain was blown by a pill box at FEATI

      vander anievas says:
      February 10, 2014 at 9:19 pm
      nice idea!
      can that be kickstarted here in cpm?
      to pool talents to lay out print on how to go about it?
      we can start with one simple flower bouquet and gather in naia one day…

      Dante Gutierrez says:
      February 11, 2014 at 5:54 am
      I agree 110%. Putting up a marker or cross in most all of the places of gruesome Marcos’ evil deeds would be a living and lasting testament..

      • call ako, sa NAIA.
        i’ll bring some flowers, i’ll tie a yellow ribbon.
        anyone going there?
        it’s a Tuesday.
        i’ll synchronize with the program in EDSA.
        will monitor via AM stations.

  2. “EDSA PEOPLE”S POWER”: let us not forget that the events in EDSA in 1986 started in Plaza Miranda, Liwasan then in Makati and in other major cities all over the country. What Marcos cronies failed to see then was the “over-pressurized silent majorities” who in the right moment just “exploded” and swelled the EDSA crowd more…

  3. Maybe let us digress a little bit from all the celebration of EDSA at EDSA for the past years, the EDSA story is becoming a story known by less and less people. If we support PNoy and go out to the different towns and cities and tell the story of EDSA then hopefully the likes of ENRILE, MARCOS and all those other people who were the reason for EDSA I will not be in peoples’ ballots come election time.

    • I dont think there is edsa celebration in the whole of ilocos region. bulwarte ni makoy yan. edsa is probably not even mention there at all with the marcoces controlling the munisipyos and town halls, maybe edsa is not even taught at schools in social studies there as well. that part of our history is most likely suppressed.

  5. A fellow newsman did tell me, after reading this piece, that the Edsa celebrations were canceled for security reasons.

    No further details and I don’t know how true that is.

    • yeah, there is edsa celebration but held in cebu and the prez will be there. I’m starting to notice that cebu is fast becoming the aquino’s bolthole. cory went to cebu too to weather the threat of coup that was at its ugliest.

      the plotters in manila just have to offer alternate edsa celebration, then maybe, move on to the palace and declare coup, the prez holed up in cebu and possibly not returning to the seat of power.

      I understand that last year, when PNoy was attending summit in indonesia where he was heckled by chinese journalist for not apologizing to hongkong, there was small pocket of retirees in the military planning a coup, they were well funded, but did not the get the backing of the military who stayed loyal to their commander in chief. and now, nag-aalbureto na naman sila. bet, these are the same people who once tried to topple cory.

      • I remember hearing tatay said that in 1962, president john f kennedy was told to detour his motorcade to texas as there was threat. but kennedy could not detour, people were already lining the streets, waiting and waving flags, eager to see the beautiful jackie kennedy, and security were already in place. and since kennedy did not want to lose face in case it was false alarm, he went on with the motorcade and ended up losing more than his face.

        • If the real reason for canceling EDSA celebration is security problems – then it’s justifiable. Powerful, well-connected and moneyed politicians are “more and more” being pushed to eternal damnation by the pork scam probes and the only action missing is the much-awaited filing by the Ombudsman of the plunder cases to the sandiganbayan. The public’s clamor for abolition of porks and punishment of the scammers are “less and less” losing hope that Lady Justice is really blindfolded.

          For the meantime, it is prudent for PNoy to make himself fully protected at all times and continue to lead the nation until his term expires in 2016.

  6. …a short story to tell:

    Jesus Christ…”You do not celebrate EDSA! Even once every year. If you do that by not celebrating Holy Mass every Sunday, what salvation can you think of getting?”

    “EDSA saved you…in EDSA and at EDSA!’ “ME: I save you everyday as everyday you are at the edge of condemnation! The Devil works not 24 hours but forever.”

    “EDSA was God’s performance with the people. I, stopped Marcos! Don’t still get it? It saved you!”

    “Ignore EDSA you ignore the reason for a repeat why it takes an EDSA. To save you requires something to honor, celebrate and remember. Not to heed these words there is no point in saving you. You will forget even you and your generations to come.”

    EDSA…enduring dictatorship surely again.

  7. It is obvious that PNoy doesn’t give much importance or significance to Edsa Uno, a momentous event in our history that saw the triumph of good over the evil regime of marcos.

    Is it because PNoy was never an active participant in the struggle against marcosism?

    Where was PNoy after the assassination of his brilliant father in August, 1983 while patriots in increasing number were demonstrating and dying to regain democracy that culminated in his mother being enthroned to malacanang?

    PNoy then, at age 23, had a short tenure as a member of the Philippine Business for Progress, working as an assistant to the executive director of PBSP. He later joined the Mondragon Industries as an assistant retail sales supervisor, and afterwards joined Nike Phils as assistant promotions manager. After his mother became President on February 25, 1986, PNoy was already working with Intra-Strata Assurance Corp., a company owned by his uncle, Antolin Oreta Jr, as vice president. (wikipedia)

    To the countless millions who were either killed, tortured, incarcerated and otherwise suffered during the martial law period, your heroism may no longer be celebrated in EDSA but it will be enshrined forever in the hearts of a grateful nation.

      • I second the motion raissa. there was a pact between father and son, and son did a good job of keeping himself well under the radar, not attracting undue attention to himself and went on the business of living. son did what he was told and keep the family together, endured the loneliness of having absent father palaging nakulong. had son disobeyed and became politically active early on, he might have been jailed, tortured, maybe gotten bullet in his head too, or made to disappear never to be seen again.

  8. The revolution that ended in the flight of Marcos to Hawaii on February 25, 1986 did not start on February 22, 1986 at EDSA where tens or maybe a hundred thousands of people gathered to save Enrile, Honasan and company. The revolution actually began on February 16, 1986 with the millions of people – mainly middle class – that gathered in Luneta for the Tagumpay ng Bayan Rally led by Cory. I believed then and now that the decision of the people to save Enrile and company merrily hastened the demise of the Marcos regime. Seeing, hearing and feeling the tremendous support of the middle class in the People’s Victory Rally, I smelled that the momentous event was just “around the corner.”

    http://library.thinkquest.org/15816/thebeginning.article8.html

    • “Marcos was proclaimed winner in the elections held on Feb. 7, 1986, amidst allegations of widespread fraud and violence. Aquino disputed the results in a Tagumpay ng Bayan (People’s Victory) rally at Rizal Park attended by at least four million supporters, where she vowed to lead a civil disobedience campaign and a boycott of crony-owned businesses to force Marcos to step down.”

      Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/579761/28-key-edsa-personalities#ixzz2u2ELgSdg

  9. Sometimes I think that the free press is too free in the Philippines. In the Philippines Lapu-lapu killed the one who brought Christianity, Rizal was softy and anti-Catholic too, Aginaldo killed Bonifatio and went with bribe money to Hong Kong, and so on up to 1986 EDSA run by the inventor of martial law complotter after that, the anti-corruption hero getting tarnished with DAP. Every juicy story gets so much more traction than an effort to drive progress or national unity.

    Other countries are better in creating a brave history, with untarnished heroes, with one dimensional courageous events. The dirty politics surrounding the history, the hidden agendas, the luck factors, all are left out of the narrative. Are their editors of the large news organizations choosing for the greater well being of the nation by not publishing what could blemish a hero or a heroic event? Isn’t it difficult to believe that they all had 100% pure heroes and unselfish politics?

    EDSA became a hollow concept for the other 96 million Filipinos that not lived through the 1986 EDSA People Power. The 80% born after 1970, too young to have a memory of the exceptional event and “elderly” outside Manila that only knew it from hearsay.

    EDUCTION. Where is the museum with the horrors of martial law? Where is the museum exhibiting the extravagant wealth of the Marcoses? Where is the teachers’ guideline with moving testimonies of the martial law victims? Where are the clear convincing statistics comparing the Philippine growth (economical, infrastructure, education, health…) with the surrounding countries?

    Didn’t remembering an event that became “hollow”, become “hollow” too?

    • Oh, Cmon, Joseph,
      Heroes aren’t black and white.

      Take Abraham Lincoln – he’s considered a hero. But he was one wily politician.

      Or Quezon – who was like Erap in his philandering.

      • Huwag naman, @Raissa. Quezon might have had his dalliances, true. And I remember mention of Amparo Karagdag was made. But MLQ’s “philandering” can never be “like Erap.” That would amount to a blasphemous comparison. Erap’s was flagrant vulgarity!

  10. greenpea says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation.
    February 21, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    For me I support President Aquino in observing EDSA People Power symbolically by being with the grassroots people instead of insisting on a perfunctory ritual at EDSA that has no real value. What is the point of the “salubong” organized by the privileged clueless set when nearly three decades after EDSA we are still in square one fighting oppressive poverty and plundering thieving politicians?

    We take pride in EDSA People Power because of our feat of having toppled a ruthless dictator peacefully. But what we should by now realize is that People Power should not just be about kicking out oppressive leaders but that People Power more importantly is a chance for us to rebuild our country and to create a just, equitable and inclusive society. Maybe it is the neglect of this second task that cause so many of our people to lose faith in People Power and drive them back to the arms of populist political crooks and even aspiring tyrants and dynasty builders.

    In building a house, we start from the ground up and not from the roof down. Why should it be different in building a country?

    When a foreign power attacks our country and invades us, it becomes the duty of all of us, soldiers and citizens alike, to defend our country even with our lives. But why should it be that in good times, there is a privileged few allowed to be sated first in partaking of the fruits of a restored economy while waiting for their excess to trickle down to the less fortunate?

    Sadly, almost three decades after EDSA People Power, our revolution is still a work in progress.

  11. ‘MANILA, Philippines – Private schools turned down yesterday the proposed four-day school week that was seen to help ease traffic congestion in the metropolis during the construction of major roads this year.

    Officials of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) said the proposal of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino to reduce the number of school days is not the appropriate solution to address traffic jams in Metro Manila.’ PhilStar news.

    Diid England and France suspending any human activity building the tunnel under the English Channel…25 nautical miles of huge project?

    How about the new highest building at the site of the Twin Tower in NYC?

    The first problem I believe is in our case we are prone to build more big projects on already congested traffic prone areas! Why? Limited ideas for alternatives appears the defect by planners.

    Traffic traffic no end to find solutions. Traffic everywhere!

    • …school head says ‘old cars or vehicles’ be wipe out…eh? How about old people who takes time crossing the intersected pedestrian lanes more than the traffic lights can sustain? Wipe ’em out too?

      My old jalopy runs better than a 2014 Honda! Maintained up to it’s utmost. Little by little fixing up to ran without problem on the streets…and it never had conked out. It passed the LTO tests. TEACHERs you are wrong!

      Schools also should not be allowed to be built if they don’t provide their own parking lots…one along Ortigas Ave., SJ. , uses the roads to park and double parked vehicles! See it to believe it.

      Rainy seasons, many road constructions! Dry seasons, don’t do road constructions. Why is this?

      Local executives allow road constructions but no inspections…the work is left unfinished for days, weeks and even months! Ran out of funds? Sub-contractors ran away with the money!

      Many rigs are tolerated to park on medium and large streets like owned by truck owners! No towing done. Ang lagay eh!

      MMDA and local city/town heads no coordination…so no traffic solutions! Duplicated tasks all pa-atras!

      Small as that all traffic bondat!

    • our traffic jams is due to deterioration of the quality of road users, us…
      each one wants to go first, but not on first come first go basis.
      anarchy on the roads is.

  12. For me I support President Aquino in observing EDSA People Power symbolically by being with the grassroots people instead of insisting on a perfunctory ritual at EDSA that has no real value. What is the point of the “salubong” organized by the privileged clueless set when nearly three decades after EDSA we are still in square one fighting oppressive poverty and plundering thieving politicians?

    We take pride in EDSA People Power because of our feat of having toppled a ruthless dictator peacefully. But what we should by now realize is that People Power should not just be about kicking out oppressive leaders but that People Power more importantly is a chance for us to rebuild our country and to create a just, equitable and inclusive society. Maybe it is the neglect of this second task that cause so many of our people to lose faith in People Power and drive them back to the arms of populist political crooks and even aspiring tyrants and dynasty builders.

    In building a house, we start from the ground up and not from the roof down. Why should it be different in building a country?

    When a foreign power attacks our country and invades us, it becomes the duty of all of us, soldiers and citizens alike, to defend our country even with our lives. But why should it be that in good times, there is a privileged few allowed to be sated first in partaking of the fruits of a restored economy while waiting for their excess to trickle down to the less fortunate?

    Sadly, almost three decades after EDSA People Power, our revolution is still a work in progress.

  13. Be It Remembered…EDSA was a time, a crucial time of certain events along Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue!

    It was a huge human momentum of Pilipino spirits joined hand-to-hand, bone-to-bone, flesh-to-flesh.

    Pilipinos, young and elders! Sweetened by agony. Battered by tyranny. Carved by dictatorship.

    ‘Twas a day. ‘Twas two days. And on the third day they heaved, they cried, they prayed. They occupied! A peaceful first occupy, they dug their heels on the ground.

    They faced and meet the Marine’s tanks. They put their tired hands on the thick iron rolling tanks. Behold! The tanks stopped. It was eye-ball-to-eye-ball between peaceful people versus trained warriors.

    Silence. Great silence. Impending clash. Blood to flow. Next will be what? Sound of crushing? Sound of guns? No.

    ‘Twas the sound of joy. Sound of people clapping. Beautiful eyes! Faces grinning into overwhelming human smiles. Success! The sign of success was there in those smiles.

    Petals of rose flowers showered the trained warriors. How can you shoot to kill! Why would you shoot? This They are not enemies of the State…soldiers were in wonder. First meeting of so peaceful and loving people. Can we kill them? Shoot them? No. God, My Lord! How can I.

    Trained we were to meet the enemy. We never met this in our training camps to prepared and die for our contry facing people with welcomes of roses. They gave us water. They gave food.
    They gave us aid-cool.

    Soldiers! When the shelling from the artillery command begins, do your duty. The cannons were where? Have those cannon barrels been loaded? Yes, with flowers by the people.

    What happened? Where is our C- I -C? Our CS? We wonder where. Attack helicopters approaching! Defending forces at Camp Crame at ready. Sound os rotor blads grew louder.

    Helicop 1 coming down, ready for a fly-by…Camp Crame defenders at watch ready for it…soon an attack! At 50 feet high, Helicop 1 shows a hand sign – L fingers…LABAN…friend not foe…

    Halleiluya! They’re for us! Thunderous applause is heard. Helicop 8 too lands.

    Great rejoicing. Great salvation. ‘Twas so great it was never to be forgotten but only to be remembered. Result: All military forces are now more than 80% with the people.

    Fourth day. Stars ‘n Stripes Helicops lands at Malacanang grounds. Dictator and conspirators boards as extracted …said Paoay but no ’twas to Hawaii…to Mr. Clark’s Field the trip to yield.

    GuAm shall we go…Aloha Oahu ho ho crying Mini Moe! Meldy sure thought so!

    EDSA is ending dictatorship simply act. Remember it. In everyone’s heart and spirit. Wherever. Whenever. Whatever. Whyever. Whoever. Maybe not at EDSA but

    …everywhere.

    • I’ll use stargrod’s comment at 8, “if bong marcos becomes president in 2016, it will be embarrassing for him to grace edsa commemorations.”

      it would be hypocritical of bong marcos to be at center stage on edsa, and accepting the salute of the military also the people’s accolade. bong might even boycott the celebration, or do away with it all together. better had edsa start with an aquino and die with an aquino, though its memory will stay long and forerver in the nation’s heart. lately, edsa is becoming jaded, the younger generation cannot relate to it, and been criticize for being lame duck too. here’s looking at you, edsa, thanks for the memory.

      leona, you write with panache. kudos.

      • “Thanks for the Memory” EDSA! @moonie…says

        EDSA jaded…the younger generation cannot relate to it…a lame duck!

        Ignorance again! Not found in our school books…EDSA what was it?

        Ignorance…EDSA not found in educational and cultural Museums.

        Truthfully, we have a defect…a museum of ignorance! No historical interests are collected and displayed for our generations, young and elders.

        Pitiful indeed! Find it in far cities/towns from many answers “Oh, that happened?” “We did not know about that!” “There is new government?” The blank faces tells.

        Thanks for the Memory is a love song favorite of my Mom and Dad…a US Hollywood movie in their times. [early ’40s?] Saw it a couple of turns. Makes me remember them…memory with my life in thanks.

        Sweet and Sad.

  14. THERE IS NO NEED TO CELEBRATE PEOPLES POWER AS BIG AS CHRISTMAS, it is enough to INCLUDE it as HOLIDAY for giving respect to those who TOPPLED marcos regime…

    THOSE WANTED to CELEBRATE PEOPLES POWER are merely POLITICKING he he he he

    CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION CANNOT BE CANCELLED by any PRESIDENT if he wanted HIS party members get the sits on NEXT ELECTION he he he CHRISTMAS is everybodies BUSINESS, the MUSLIM, CHINESE and other NON-CHRISTIANS earned money DURING CHRISTMAS CRAZE he he he he

  15. Do we really have to celebrate EDSA in EDSA? Do we really need to celebrate EDSA? Looking at the pictures of the ones leading EDSA, don’t you find it disturbing? Enrile, the catholic church, the military, and the Filipino people (ordinary employees working in the government) are all mired with corruption scandals. And best of all the son, the daughter, and the wife of the dictator are all free as a bird and judging by the latest news the son is also corrupt like his father. So what’s the use of EDSA right now? Isn’t it embarrassing to watch them tell the greatness of that period when the people joining it is alive and as corrupt as marcos? I think what the president is planning is much better. Is it really bad to bring EDSA back to the people? You know joining with the people. Be one of them. Listening to them. Get their side. Is it really that bad to celebrate EDSA that way?

    About cybercrime law, the libel provision, is it really bad?

    • Enrile and Ramos are not the main heroes of Edsa. The people who went outnintomthe streets and shielded enrile and ramos with their bodies, thus saving them from slaughter are the real heroes of edsa.

      • The two personalities would have been the VIP victims of Marcos’ tyranny had it not been for the massive gathering of people at EDSA who frontally faced Marcos’ tanks etc.

        But sad that patriotism is a forgotten issue even after that event.

        Money is. Corruption is. PDAF is. DAP is. In all honesty and credibility, there is none to all these. It is like the dirty waters of the creeks, let it flow…if it carries the dirt out into the sea, well and good; if not and it just get stucked up, just a sorry state. Slow. Dirty.

        …a long story for a long journey indeed.

    • i’m still alive and i’m not corrupt. and if EDSA 1 will happen again, i will travel thousand miles just to be part of it again.

      • sorry, vibora, I dont think edsa 1 can happen again. he, he, it’s like virginity. once it’s gone, it’s gone. however, we can now restore virginity with modern day surgery. but it’s only cosmetic. with the hindsight of experience, we already know the landmarks and topography, we can only reminisce.

        those who want to celebrate edsa, can go to church at magsindi ng kandila, thank the lord our country was delivered on that dark hour. have meryenda later with friends, talk about good things, happy things. be kind to one another.

        • Magtatanong lang po, Ano kaya feeling nang mga Marcos kapag dumating ang feb.25 EDSA-1 celebration…Ito kasi ang ARAw na pinalayas @ pinatalsik sila sa PILIPINAS?

    • if they acted quicker, some of them could have been arrested for pdaf plunder. that should call for real celebration.

      • Sa aking opinyon ay;

        Kung meron talagang tangka sa buhay ni Pnoy lalo na kung tatayo sya sa entablado para ipagdiwang ang ESDA ay mas makabubuti na huwag na nga lang sya pumunta duon. Di naman tama na sa kagustuhan ng mga tao na anduon sya ay mapapahamak sya.

        Pero kung hindi ito ang dahilan ay sana naman meron kahit kunti na pagdiriwang sa araw na ito. Para ipagbunyi ang katapangan ng mga Pilipino para alisin ang Marcos.

        Sana naman meron kahit na payak na pagpaalala sa mga tao na handang magbuwis ng buhay para baguhin ang takbo ng gobyerno.

        Sana bigyan sila ng parangal para ipakita sa kanila ang pagpasalamat na wala tayo sa panahon na ganito kung hindi lumabas ang mga tao at nagkaisa.

        Dahil lamang ba sa iilan (na halos lahat ay nasa gobyerno at mga pasaway) ay kakalimutan na ang nakararami?

        Masaya naman siguro na isang beses sa isang taon ay magkikita-kita at maguusap ang mga tao na nagkita-kita nuon sa EDSA?

        Hindi naman kailangan na may programa pa: talumpati ng napakaraming gusto magsalita (sa ibang salita ay mag-epal) basta anduon si Pnoy magpasalamat sa mga taus pusong tao na naghangad at hanggang ngayon ay naghahanagad ng malinis, payapa, maunlad at walang korupsyon na gobyerno. May sing and dance potion o pelikula. Pwede na ito gawin depende sa mga tao na may gusto sa kani-kanilang lugar o oras na gusto.

        Sabagay mahirap talaga ang nasa pwesto (na may malinis na hangarin ha) gawin mo, may puna. Huwag mo gawin pupunahin ka din.

        Sa mga walang budhi at maitim ang puso, wala silang pakialam. Basta may kickback sila sa anuman paraan. Bahala na ang iba

        • no doubt this event should be celebrated. it’s a reminder about the kind of politicians not to vote for. except that up to now, there’s not much to show for. hopefully, the pdaf investigation will yield positive results by next year.

        • there’s not a better day to showcase the fight against corruption than this one. and a great day to educate voters on how to vote. but you have to show results.

        • sa palagay kaya natin kikilos sila nang mabilis kung ang ibang kasamahan ay kakutsaba rin ng mga inaakusahan at maaring nakinabang din?
          mas mainam na ang ganito na kahit usad-pagong ay may tinutunguhan naman ang mga pag-iimbestiga.
          nakakabawi na rin naman tayo sa pamamagitan ng media na nagpapamukha sa kasakiman nila.

        • when you can arrest and incarcerate a lowly official quickly, the wrong message is sent when it can’t be done with high-ranking officials.