The historic 1986 Edsa People Power Revolt was commemorated yesterday, Feb. 25, by the BuhayAngEdsa Campaign Network with three distinct events celebrating democracy and solidarity. 

‘Edsa Freedom Ride’

In the early morning, over 100 cyclists, skaters, and joggers converged on Ayala Avenue in Makati City for an “Edsa Freedom Ride.” The event was organized by Akbayan Party together with the Siklista Pilipino, Pilipinas Riders, Makati Villages Council, Cycling Buddies, Pio4Leni, Skaters for Leni, Kalye Serye Mandaluyong, Akbayan Youth, Youth Resist, The Youth Alliance Against Charter Change (Tayo Against Cha-Cha), and Student Council Alliance of the Philippines.

Former senator Rene Saguisag and Francis Aquino Dee, deputy executive director of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) and grandson of the democracy icons in whose honor the foundation is named, were among those who saw off the cyclists, skaters and joggers. 

‘The Edsa Story’

Later in the morning in San Juan City, “The Edsa Story: A People’s Victory, A Nation’s Glory,” a multimedia storytelling event about the Filipino people’s fight for freedom and democracy, was held at Club Filipino’s Kalayaan Hall.

It was in that venue where opposition leader Cory Aquino took her oath as president after defeating the strongman Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 “snap” presidential election. A video of her oathtaking was the high point of the show. 

Directed by Floy Quintos, “The Edsa Story” featured artists Edru Abraham and Kontra Gapi, Bayang Barrios, Jaime Fabregas, Arman Ferrer, Jep Go, Ateneo Entablado, Xiao Chua, Macoy Dubs, and Mighty Magulang.

The special guests included framers of the 1987 Constitution, veterans of the Edsa revolt, and members of the respective Cabinets of the late Presidents Cory Aquino and Noynoy Aquino. 

Also present were former senator Leila de Lima and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno. 

Videos of the revolt as well as man-on-the-street interviews on how Filipinos remember Edsa, courtesy of Probe Archives, provided additional context to the show.

‘#EdsaKahitSaan Concert’

The #EDSAKahitSaan Concert kicked off at 7 p.m. at the People Power Monument along White Plains Avenue., taking the audience back to the historic four days of the bloodless revolt. The highlight was at 9:05 p.m., the exact time Marcos and his family fled Malacañang, marking the end of the dictatorship and the restoration of democracy in the country.

The concert was directed by Leo Rialp and produced by the NCAF, Buhay ang Edsa Campaign Network, and Barangay Artists 4 Edsa.

The performers were Anthony Rosaldo, Bayang Barrios, Bituin Escalante, Bo Cerrudo, Bodjie Pascua, Bree, Bullet Dumas, Buskers from the Busking Community PH, Elijah Canlas, Elmo and Arkin Magalona, Everywoman, Jaime Fabregas, Joel Saracho, Kathleen Quinto, Leah Navarro, Leo Martinez, Lyndon Malapad, Martin Riggs, Mass Appeal, Mitch Valdes, Nica del Rosario, SOS, Teatro Tao sa Tao, and The Company. 

“These activities are not just about commemorating the past,” said Francis Aquino Dee. “They are about rekindling the spirit of unity and democracy that defined the People Power Revolution. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Edsa amid efforts by those who want to undermine it by self-serving attempts to revise our Constitution.”

Read more: ‘Relive Edsa, Junk Cha-cha’ is the rallying cry

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