Pilipino History 101: The People Power Revolution

People Power RevolutionAsk a Generation Y or Z Pilipino about the People Power Revolution, they’ll probably tell you something straight out of Wikipedia.

Ask an older Pilipino about the People Power Revolution though, and they’ll tell you more than a mouse-clicking journey that Wikipedia can ever tell you.

“You know the history, but you don’t know the feeling,” my dad, Gabriel Fernandez Jr., told me.

Most of us don’t even know the history of the People Power Revolution. But should we?

“The study of history cannot be forced on the young – learning history should be seen as the start of a ‘love affair,’” said Archie Inlong, President Corazon Aquino’s speechwriter from 1989 to 1992. “You want to find out about someone only because you’re interested in that person – same with one’s country. You want to find out about its past, good and bad, only because you want to fall in love with your country.”

Given that this week marks the 24th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, we should ask: What happened twenty-four years ago in the span of just a few days in February 1986? How did Corazon “Cory” Aquino, a self-proclaimed housewife, become the 11th President of the Philippines? What’s the story behind one of the Philippines’ greatest love affairs?

What is the People Power Revolution?

In a quick definition, the People Power Revolution ousted President Ferdinand Marcos from his 20-year dictatorship in the Philippines through peaceful, nonviolent means with the help of the Catholic Church and the military, resulting in Corazon Aquino becoming president. Though Pilipinos nation- and worldwide participated in the revolution, the demonstrations at the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) was where the heart of the People Power Revolution pulsated.

The People Power Revolution took place on February 22 – when many Pilipinos marched to EDSA – until February 25, 1986 – the day Corazon Aquino was inaugurated. Some Pilipinos though, like my dad, believe that it started as early as September 1972, when then-President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law to gain full control of virtually all of the Philippines. He then ordered the immediate arrest of his opposition, including Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., husband of Corazon Aquino. On August 21, 1983, Ninoy was assassinated upon his return to the Philippines from his exile in the U.S., thrusting the reluctant Cory into the political spotlight. When Marcos announced that an early presidential “snap election” would take place in February 1986, Cory ran for president. Shortly before the election, she warned Marcos, “Don’t you dare frustrate the will of the Pilipino people, because you will have an angry people on your hands.”

The results of the election falsely named Marcos as the winner, angering millions of Pilipinos and many others - including the Catholic Bishops’  Conference of the Philippines, the United States Senate, and U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Taking action – and thus “officially” starting the People Power Revolution – on February 22, 1986, Minister of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Vice Chief of Staff Lt. General Fidel Ramos resigned from Marcos’s cabinet and withdrew their support for him. In response to an aired radio message, many Pilipinos came to EDSA to support Enrile and Ramos. Instead of an angry, thirsty-for-justice mob, there was a festive, fun celebration; entire families were there, performers entertained the crowds, priests and nuns led prayer vigils, and people sang Bayan Ko (My Homeland), the unofficial anthem of the revolution, and flashed the LABAN (fight) “L” sign with their thumb and index finger. Young or old, rich or poor, the Pilipinos stood as one.

Outside of EDSA, Pilipinos continued to carry on their daily lives, but not without knowledge of what was happening. 

“Most high school students were in favor of the People Power Revolution,” said Ana Reyes, my tita and a teacher in the Philippines during the revolution. “They always asked us about it and to explain what was going on.”

The very day the revolution started in the Philippines, my dad was on his way to the U.S.

“That was the earliest date a visa was available. Buti na lang, (luckily) my flight wasn’t scheduled a day late, or else I wouldn’t have been able to leave. I remember news of the revolution was announced on the plane: ‘Ousted na si Marcos! Ousted na si Marcos!’”

Back at EDSA, Archie Inlong was among the millions supporting Enrile, Ramos, and Aquino. 

“The experience was a combination of fear, fun, and spiritual high,” said Inlong. “There were moments at EDSA when we thought it was the end for us as news would arrive that government planes were ready to strafe us. But most of the time, we were telling jokes, stories, singing, bonding, and just enjoying the big camp out at the country’s biggest thoroughfare. ”

Inlong also remembered the importance of prayer during the revolution. “We had nothing to resort to during the scary moments except to trust that God will not abandon us during this time, this magical experience that no human being could have planned, thought of or orchestrated on his own. It was a time to feel very proud to be a Pilipino.”

The peaceful demonstrations continued amidst threats from Marcos’  regime, and by the morning of February 25, Corazon Aquino was inaugurated as President of the Philippines in Greenhills… while at Malacañang, Marcos was also being inaugurated as President of the Philippines. However, the following day, Marcos, his family, and his close allies had left the Philippines for exile in Hawaii. With that came the victory of democracy, a victory that didn’t just belong to Cory Aquino.

“I am determined to make a success of this government,” Cory said. “I am not doing it for Cory Aquino but for the people who are hoping and praying. I am doing it for democracy.”

The People Power Revolution inspired many and caused the whole world to recognize the Pilipinos’ victory and celebrate with them. CBS anchorman Bob Simon said, “We Americans like to think we taught the Pilipinos democracy. Well, tonight they are teaching the world.” 

“Dad? How would you describe the People Power Revolution in one word?”

“Masa. The people. The common people had a common goal.” This feeling wasn’t just centered at EDSA or in Manila, my dad continued to explain; it was all over the Philippines.

“When you met strangers who lived through and remembered the revolution, you were brother and sister. You shared everything because you shared that common goal.”

Though my dad didn’t exactly share his physical presence with his brothers and sisters, he did share something.

“There were protests and rallies sa bahay natin sa (at our house in) Barangay Tuyo in Balanga, Bataan,” he said. “They were marching from Balanga to Manila to join other protestors from the other provinces. It was raining and yun lola mo (your grandmother), she opened our doors to the protestors. Lahat ng mga bahay sa barrio opened their doors, gave the protestors shelter and food. We didn’t march with them, but we knew we were with them.”

The People Power Revolution aspired to finally have a democratic government that was truly for the people. Although that mission was fulfilled during Corazon Aquino’s administration, it unfortunately and noticeably hasn’t progressed much further since.

What’s remembered and admired today from that time is the revolution itself.

“Revolutions tend to be ugly, even when successful,” said Francisco Tatad, a journalist and former Cabinet minister to Marcos. “The People Power Revolution is an exception: it is a ‘beautiful revolution.’”

For me, the best way to honor them is to live my life daily as inspired by the experiences and spirit of the People Power Revolution. Every day, I look for ways to use my God-given talents to help my fellow Pilipinos become better persons and to help them improve their lives. Why? Because at EDSA, on February 25, 2010, I fell in love – very deeply in love – with my country and my countrymen. The love never faded despite the passage of 24 years.
- Archie Inlong, speechwriter to President Corazon Aquino