On Feb. 25, 1986, Filipinos’ collective pursuit of democracy won over a dictatorship. Today, 39 years later, they commemorate the Edsa People Power Revolution that forced Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and his family to flee abroad.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared Feb. 25 as a “special working holiday” under Proclamation No. 727. But some school administrations have suspended classes to allow for the observance of a historic turning point in Philippine history. 

Others opted for an alternative learning day, but students took the initiative to call on fellow learners to walk out of their classes. 

“Edsa is our classroom,” said activist and retired professor Judy Taguiwalo on Monday. What will happen on Edsa today, Tuesday? 

The Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network announced that a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the People Power Monument at 8 a.m., to be hosted by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Bantayog ng mga Bayani. 

The recitation of the “Panata ng Mamamayan” will follow. The network encouraged everyone, including those away from the venue, to recite the oath for the country at 10 a.m. in remembrance of Corazon Aquino’s oath-taking as president on Feb. 25, 1986. 

The public is invited to be at the Edsa Shrine by 1:30 p.m. The Clergy & Citizens for Good Governance will mass at the shrine’s steps after the noon Mass. 

The Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (or Tama Na), Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, and other multisectoral groups will assemble near the People Power Monument for a program until 2 p.m. 

One Taft, an alliance of students of schools on Taft Avenue and the University Belt in Manila will convene under the Ortigas flyover.  

At 2:30 p.m., all groups will march to a salubungan (convergence) under the Edsa-Ortigas flyover and head to the People Power Monument with banners calling for “Marcos singilin, Duterte panagutin, Sara litisin.” The main program is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Masses will be celebrated at the Edsa Shrine at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon, 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. 

Other student groups have organized separate activities at the People Power Monument. Students of De La Salle University will hold a Mass and mobilization program at 10:30 a.m. 

The UP Act Against Corruption Network, alongside the Agham Youth UPD, will conduct an alternative learning fest starting at 8 a.m. at the University of the Philippines Diliman, followed by a protest action that will end on Edsa.

Read more: Mass kicks off 39th Edsa anniversary celebrations