Tanks rolled from south of E. delos Santos Avenue (Edsa), while Marines advanced from the east. Above, helicopters hovered, ready for bomb runs. Amid the tension, the people fell on their knees and prayed. 

Fr. Manoling Francisco recalled the unfolding of the Edsa “People Power” Revolution in 1986 in his homily on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of Edsa) to start the 39th anniversary celebrations of Edsa People Power. He concelebrated the Mass with Fathers Flavie Villanueva and Robert Reyes. 

Drawing parallel to the biblical miracle of the five loaves and two fish, he likened a moment at Edsa when a multitude of people shared what little they had, and the Lord turned it into an abundance.

“Thirty-nine years ago,” Francisco said, “[t]he five loaves and two fish that we offered to the Lord were our aspirations for the restoration of our freedom, for the restoration of democracy.” 

The Edsa anniversary activity was organized by the Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network (BAPP), a coalition seeking to preserve and promote freedom for the Filipino people.

“Edsa People Power reminds us that every Filipino has the power to change their situation,” said Kiko Aquino Dee, executive director of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation and BAPP co-convenor.

This, he said, “is especially relevant today in the face of unprecedented corruption in the 2025 national budget, brazen threats of violence and killing, and an all-out war between two elite factions that both ignore the needs of the people they’re supposed to serve.” 

“Let us exercise People Power through the ballot in the coming May elections by electing leaders who value democracy, human rights, and good governance and kicking out those who ignore their duties,” he added.

Among those present during the Mass were BAPP co-convenor and former presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Quintos Deles, Akbayan Party List first nominee Chel Diokno, Mamamayang Liberal Party List third nominee Erin Tañada, former budget secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, and former senator Franklin Drilon.

The BAPP announced the following events for the coming days of the 39th Edsa People Power Anniversary:

On Feb. 23, a revival of the August Twenty-One Movement’s ROAR! campaign during the 80s––now rebranded as “Run/Ride On Against Revision”––will kick off at 6:30 a.m. along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. 

It is a healthy and family-friendly gathering of joggers, bikers and walkers aimed to raise public attention to the administration’s ongoing efforts at historical erasure and revisionism, particularly on the Edsa legacy, the BAPP said.

By 9 a.m., the Sunday event will move to Rizal Park in Luneta with a fair called “Nilarong Pinoy,” a playful twist on the traditional “Palarong Pinoy.” During this two-hour activity, the public can voice their frustrations and grievances on national issues while enjoying fun, interactive games.

A freedom wall will be installed in Rizal Park to demand  accountability from current leaders and challenge them to serve the country more effectively in light of the May 12 elections.

On Feb. 25, everyone is invited to join the Panata ng Mamamayan at 10 a.m., a simultaneous nationwide activity commemorating the oath-taking of Corazon Aquino as president following the ouster of Marcos Sr. 

While Malacañang declared Feb. 25 as a nonworking special holiday, the BAPP has organized this event to allow the public to celebrate Edsa People Power from their workplaces, schools, and homes.

An excerpt of the oath reads: “I (state your name), do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duty as a citizen of the Philippines, to serve and defend its fundamental law, do justice to every person, and consecrate myself to the service of the nation, so help me God.”

At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, a multisectoral mobilization will be held at the People Power Monument.

More information can be found on the Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BuhayAngPeoplePower.

Read more: Filipinos urged: Remember the ‘shining moment’ that was Edsa 1986