by Santosh Digal

Today the country celebrates the anniversary of the Rosary Revolution. A nun speaks about what went on in the streets against the Marcos dictatorship in February 1986 and the passing of the torch to Generation Z. For the president of the Bishop’s Conference, Cardinal Garcera, “People can still change society if they choose honesty”.

Manila (AsiaNews) – For a country that today marks the 40th anniversary of the Rosary Revolution that ended the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, the "challenge is not only to remember the past, but to keep working on conscience and conversion,” reads a statement released today by Archbishop Gilbert Armea Garcera, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lipa and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, on the anniversary of the peaceful uprising that overthrew the former regime.

"People can still change society if they choose honesty over convenience and truth over silence," says the archbishop, words that still resonate today as a warning, as people celebrate an event that crossed the country's borders, inspiring peaceful protest movements in other parts of the continent and around the world.

In another message, Bishop Elias Lumayog Ayuban Jr of Cubao (a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Manila) explains that, “To worship in spirit and truth is to live out the paths of peace, truth, and love. As we remember our hard-won freedom, may we remain stewards of our common home, free from the chains of corruption and guided by the Lord of justice and peace." Thus, "With the help of Mary, Queen of Peace, may we always work for the good of our country."

Bishop Joel Z. Baylon of Legazpi, echoed those words during the Mass addressing young Filipinos in particular, saying that they are “crucial” to the country's future. “You can bring back the spirit of EDSA People Power by following hope, trust, and truth," he said, adding that, "The real lessons of EDSA are freedom, accountability, and openness."

Today, on the fortieth anniversary of EDSA, the Philippines remembered the country's capacity to carry out a peaceful revolution, with thousands of people joining the many events planned to commemorate and celebrate the event.

It was on Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA), that in February 1986 the People Power Revolution overthrew the dictatorship of Marcos, father of the incumbent president. From 22 to 25 February 1986, millions took to the streets to show their anger, their strong desire for change, and their hope for the restoration of civil liberties.

Over three days, unarmed, defenceless civilians from all walks of life united in prayer and mutual support faced off soldiers and tanks that had orders to attack and strike rebels and insurgents.

Forty years ago today, the strength, faith, and determination of a people brought about change, a peaceful transition of power, culminating in the swearing-in of Cory Aquino as the eleventh president of the Philippines.

The event also marked the restoration of important freedoms and basic rights that martial law had stripped away. In 1987, the people then voted on a new constitution that, among other things, was designed to protect those freedoms.

Since then, "People Power" has become a term for peaceful change and a symbol of how ordinary people can shape the history of their country, even inspiring mass movements in other places.

Mary Joe Castro, a participant in today's celebrations, spoke to AsiaNews about it. “Today,” she said, “we remember the courage, strength, and unity of Filipinos, not just in EDSA but all over the archipelago, who stood together in a once-in-a-generation fight to get back our country's precious democracy."

Forty years later, that democracy is still there, albeit weaker and imperfect. Nevertheless, the anniversary “reminds us," she added, “of how far we have to go to keep the promise of EDSA."

Forty years ago, Sister Asuncion Borromeo of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary witnessed and participated in the Rosary Revolution that changed the fate of the nation.

Speaking about the events of those days, she described them as a struggle between good and evil, remembering that she took to the streets at the call of the then Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jaime Sin.

The prelate had urged the people to protect the then Defence Minister, Juan Ponce Enrile, and the then Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Fidel Ramos, who had quit the government of President Ferdinand Marcos.

She remembers that government soldiers had guns, tanks, and helicopters, while the people who protested the dictator had rosaries, crucifixes, and pictures of the Blessed Mother Mary.

“I think the churches were empty of the statue of the Blessed Mother at that time. Every statue of Mary was brought to EDSA,” she told AsiaNews.

In her account to AsiaNews, Sister Borromeo emphasised how the People Power Revolution was a miracle because it brought together millions of people at a time when there was no Internet or texting.

Despite the frustration of the people towards the dictatorship, “there was still a thread of nonviolent resistance against Marcos,” she explained.

The 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution inspired the next generation to keep fighting for a better country.

"We, the EDSA generation of 1986, have fought a good fight,” the nun said. “We have kept the faith, but we have not finished the race. The people of today must keep fighting for what is good, new, true, and beautiful.”

Full of hope, she said, “I really believe that Gen Z, the current generation, will help make politics better in 2028, the year of the next presidential election.”

• philippines
• anniversary
• people
• edsa
• rosary
• revolution
• ferdinand marcos
• catholic church