Tomorrow, February 25, which commemorates the bloodless EDSA People Power revolution that ousted the Marcos family from power in 1986, is largely considered a significant point in Filipino history, but will not be a non-working holiday again this year, despite being the 40th year commemoration of that momentous event.
The reason for that is that our current president is the son and namesake of that Marcos who was unceremoniously kicked out of the country on February 25, 1986. Current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was among those who were whisked out of Malacañang Palace by the Americans on that fateful day 40 years ago.
Their entourage included the president who was deposed then, Ferdinand Marcos, and his first lady, Imelda, who formed the head of what was called the conjugal dictatorship. Their children, Imee, currently a sitting senator, Bongbong, the sitting president, Irene, and Aimee, along with close associates, were among those airlifted by US helicopters from the palace grounds to Clark Air Force Base, and eventually to Hawaii, where they led a life in exile until the always forgiving and forgetful Filipino people allowed them back home, eventually making it all the way back to Malacañang.
Being kicked out of Malacañang and being forced to live in exile after a life of plundered luxury must be a terrible experience and core memory for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and it is understandable to see that while he has the power to do so, he would never declare February 25 a non-working holiday. That is just how power works: if you have it, flaunt it. His dad knew how to use it and abuse it, and although it went out of style for a couple of decades, the abuse of power is making a comeback these days, so if you come to think of it, the non-holidayness of the EDSA people power revolution is peanuts compared to how USA’s Donald Trump is ‘maximizing’ the powers of his presidency.
I was probably in grade 4 when the People Power revolution happened, and I remembered the anxiety in the house throughout those days of February, when my parents were stuck to the AM radio, listening to reports of what was happening in the capital. The people who had flocked to EDSA were facing tanks and soldiers with rosaries and prayers, and those at the front lines were ready to die for the country and their freedom from the Marcos dictatorship at that point.
In the end, the peaceful revolution prevailed, and an overstaying dictator was removed from power, notably without bloodshed, and that is why February 25 is traditionally a holiday, because Filipinos deserve to be reminded of how dangerous it was to be in EDSA in February 1986, when things could easily have gone either way. If the soldiers had not been more restrained, or had just one thing gone wrong, it could’ve been a bloodbath, much like what the people of Iran recently went through, when protests against their government were brutally quenched, and thousands are reported to have been killed or disappeared by government forces.
The Filipinos who participated in the people power revolution of 1986 gave us what could be the biggest and possibly the final display of collective courage and determination the country has ever seen in its modern history. What is sad these days is that I highly doubt there are still people in this country who are willing to die for it. Why would they when a lot of our high officials are not even willing to fight for our territory in the West Philippine Sea? Most practical Filipinos would probably just rather sell out to the highest bidder, kowtow to an obviously more powerful attacker, or just accept the fact and tolerate our fate that we cannot have any decent and competent leaders anymore. With the concept of government, democracy, freedom, and country changing right before our eyes, fighting for a concept that is going out of style is not a priority.
These days, it seems that less people are willing to fight, and if necessary, die for their country. Maybe that is why we still need to be reminded of the circumstances and events that led to February 25, 1986, whether or not it is a non-working holiday. Filipinos, in particular, need to be reminded that once upon a time 40 years ago, the generation of our parents’ and grandparents’ took to the streets and faced battle tanks and soldiers, not knowing if they would be back home for dinner. True story.
It shouldn’t matter if a Marcos doesn’t like to be reminded that once upon a time, his family messed up the country so badly that a people power revolution kicked them out of power. What is important is that Filipinos find a way to remind ourselves that once upon a time, we said enough was enough and wielded the kind of power that political dynasties and dictators are afraid of. And when the time comes to wield it again, regardless of the last name of the leader who is failing us, there is a chance that the Filipinos of that troubled era will also step up to the plate and shine as they make their own mark in history.*
