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More than 50 Filipinos gathered at the University of Toronto to commemorate 40 years since the EDSA People Power Revolution, highlighting its continuing relevance to today. The Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto (FSAT), Kamalayan Konsciousness, and Anakbayan Toronto collaborated to host an evening of intergenerational dialogue and cultural performances.
Why EDSA?
In February 1986, millions of Filipinos took to the streets (Epifanio de los Santos Ave or EDSA in particular) to express outrage over the outcome of the rigged snap election where former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was elected–his attempt to continue his power again after two decades.
This was the culmination of years of social unrest in the Philippines. In 1972, Marcos Sr. called for martial law after his two term limit expired, resulting in a period of military rule, suppression of free speech, and the arrest, beating, torture, and murder of anyone in opposition.
The Filipino people were united during People Power because of the worsening living conditions, fracture of societal structures, and widespread outrage, in which the church, military, media, and most importantly, the people were aligned to fight. This was not a spontaneous event, but it was laboured for after years of civic organizing, building networks across institutions, critical journalism and student activism.
While this mass uprising achieved the ousting of a dictator, the restoration of formal democracy, and a new constitution, many problems remain in the Philippines. Today, the Filipino people face poverty and political repression, corruption is rampant, and another Marcos holds power. In this event Filipino youth question, “What can we learn from history to secure our futures?”
An evening of dialogue and inspiration
The panel discussion featured three Filipino elders in conversation with two Filipino youth from FSAT and Anakbayan. Chris Sorio and Rick Esguerra who were survivors of torture during martial law detailed the conditions that fueled the anger of the people and led to the uprising.
Esguerra mainly raised two salient points: first, that the spirit of People Power long existed in Philippine history with the uprisings against Spanish colonial rule; the Filipino-American war; and the anti-Japanese resistance; and second, the significant influence of the American imperialist power on the regime shifts over time, pointing to their intentions to control the nation’s resources and its strategic geopolitical location.
Olivia Camacho then spoke on her first hand experience on the ground at EDSA, the fast moving changes in the situation, and the overall energy among the people of unity, peace, and hope. In her reflection, Camacho says, “Democracy is not self-executing. It requires every generation to choose it again.”
The cultural performances opened with an agitating dance choreography from the collective, Artistang Pinoy Abroad para sa Kalayaan at Karapatan (APAKK). They described their performance’s objective as “highlighting the massive corruption scandal under Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in which billions of pesos are being stolen from the Filipino people by wealthy politicians and contractors through fraudulent ‘ghost’ flood control projects.”
Wilma Delo recited Mabuhay ka, Kaibigan, a moving poem written by Jose F. Lacaba. She proclaims, “ang tunay na matapang ay lumalaban kahit natatakot” (“the truly brave fight even when they are afraid,”) and continues, “buong tapang mong ipaglaban ang iyong prinsipyo” (“with all your courage, defend your principles!”)
Thea Reyes closed with a powerful rendition of the iconic song, Bayan Ko, which was often sung in chorus by crowds at EDSA.
Moving forward
In Camacho’s call to the youth she states, “Do not let EDSA become a museum piece. Do not let it become a Facebook post once a year. Let it become a standard. When you see lies, challenge them. When you see corruption, expose it. When you see people being dehumanized, stand beside them. When you see injustice, do something. That is how People Power begins.
Not in the streets. But in the conscience.”
After 40 years, the struggle on EDSA remains unfinished business. Jamer from FSAT reflects, “While the EDSA People Power Revolution stands as a proud and defining moment in our history as Filipinos, injustices continued even after the movement, serving as a reminder to us that the work of strengthening democracy, justice, and national unity continues today.”
Kamalayan Konsciousness member Mariam shares her thoughts after attending the panel, “Corruption is not a memory of the past, but a reality of the present. Hearing the three speakers’ experiences regarding their youth activism reminds us that, with the ongoing corruption in the Philippines, it’s more important now than ever to not just sit back and observe the corruption, but to take action. Just like the previous generation stood up for themselves, Filipino youth have both a responsibility and a power to make change and we must stand united for what is right.”
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