35 Random Thoughts About People Power As Filipinos Commemorate EDSA Revolution’s 35th Anniversary

While remaining stuck in the middle of a global pandemic, some Filipinos did not forget about the 1986 EDSA people power revolution. The hashtag #EDSA35 became one of the trending topic lists on Twitter, Thursday, Feb. 25, as Filipino netizens turned to the microblogging site to share their thoughts about the historical event that led to the downfall of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

How are Filipinos remembering the spirit of EDSA today? From random thoughts, pop culture references, to quotes of the day, here’s how netizens on Twitter feel about the 35th EDSA anniversary:

• One netizen used the hashtag to deliver a message to some young people, who were not convinced how awful it was to live in a country under dictatorship because they have not experienced it themselves. 

• Some netizens wondered whether the people power revolution is still worth celebrating since it failed to live up to its promises. But there are those who would rather look at it from a different perspective.

• There are those who can’t help but think about the widespread dissemination of false information on social media, which may have led some people to believe that a dictatorship was great for the Philippines. 

• Some, however, are still grateful to live in the digital age and feel they owe it to the EDSA revolution that they get to enjoy having the freedom to express their thoughts instantly online.

• One netizen used a pop culture reference to make sense of the historical event.

• Someone chose to get his EDSA story straight from his parents who lived to see the people power days themselves.

• Another opted to write her own version of events, using the power of the written word to make sense of her own memories of the EDSA revolution.

• Some took the opportunity to call on all Filipinos to register and exercise their right to vote in the upcoming 2022 general elections, reminding everyone that a change in government does not happen when people choose not to participate in the electoral process.

• There were those who thought about what is going on in Myanmar, another small nation fighting for its own democracy today, hoping its people would be successful just like how it was for the Filipinos during the 1986 EDSA revolution. 

• Despite the ongoing pandemic when people are advised to stay home, some groups managed to stage public protests over the biggest social and economic issues Filipinos are facing today.

• Some Twitter users called on their fellow Filipinos to go beyond politics and political colors as we remember the essence of the people power revolution and the continuing fight towards a free society. 

• Others cannot help but feel nostalgic about the ‘80s when people seemed more politically active and the Filipino spirit was so strong that no amount of government suppression could probably contain it. 

• Some remain hopeful that history will stop repeating itself. If Filipinos of the past were strong enough to do it once, they say today’s generation of ‘woke’ citizens can do it again, too.

• Some netizens keep it simple when explaining why the success of the people power revolution still matters today for those who apparently forgot what having freedom of expression and dissent is all about.

• Others have turned to the words of others to help them remember what the fight for democracy is all about.

• There were those who turned to music to express whatever frustrations they may have over the difficult journey of preserving that rights and privileges we continue to have under a democratic society.

•  Some chose to feel grateful about the EDSA revolution, aware of the fact that despite the so-called failure of its promises today, it is never too late for Filipinos to do right by the people who are counting on the ideals of democracy.