Everything transpired from February 22-25, 1986. And I feel proud being born on that fateful Saturday, the first day of the historical peaceful revolution that surprised the world and inspired other nations. I have been taught about the values, spirit and stories behind those photos of tanks, praying nuns, barricading civilians, yellow ribbons, and other spine-tingling images of those days. My mother told me that my Tatay wanted to join the rally but she was due that day and we were based in Olongapo then. So while my mom was in the hospital to deliver her first born, the rest of the Filipinos are marching in the streets, braving the circumstances of another make or break scenario as one people.
On its first anniversary, my family went to Manila to celebrate with fellow Filipinos. I can’t remember it vividly but pictures show yellow ribbons everywhere. My mother has been the passionate one in telling wonderful stories behind those pictures. During the Mount Pinatubo eruption, we had to transfer to Makati where I spent most of my childhood years. I was in the fourth grade when I received a good news. All the EDSA babies were called as a part of the 11th anniversary celebration. I had this jubilant feeling not only for being one of those few privileged kids, but basically because of the patriotic upbringing I had. We had a tour inside Malacañang, had lunch with the President at Libingan ng mga Bayani, and had a cozy seat during the program in Camp Crame. It felt ecstatic! I was in awe.
People who took part in that significant event might share all the most memorable experiences with all the emotions streaming in every intensely epitomized encounter written. And yet, you feel that no single word could really embody that ardent spirit when you try reading the accounts on how people prayed, how soldiers got off the tanks, how they felt the Blessed Mother’s guidance, etc. It was an event of high hopes in the hearts of every nationalistic Filipino. It was an unexpected unity of people from different walks of life. It was a proof of how Filipinos are capable of doing.
Today, we celebrate that very day, a quarter of century ago, when we were able to topple a dictator. For me, EDSA People Power still has the same message over the years. It proved that Filipinos are able to carry out the mission of transformation. And that event happened because each individual who participated, decided for himself and stood for what he thought was better for him and for the nation. Transformation comes from within. It is a decision. We can still go to the streets together but that would not change anything considering the present context. Thus, if we want change, we are called for another revolution on a different level. Change in this nation happens when each one becomes open to the decision of self-transformation. We may blame the government and the corrupt Filipinos but at the end of the day, it’s the decision within that matters on how we live our life. If everyone considers hating the acts of injustice, imprudence and corruption, national transformation follows. Yes it is easier said than done. But EDSA has shown that we can do something for ourselves.
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One year old Nat with mama
and cousin on February 25, 1987 |
I wasn’t named Gringo, Cory, Fidel, Enrile, Epifanio or Ferdinand. I know someone who was named after a combination of two from those. After all, even if I could have been born on some other dates, I am still a proud Filipino because of EDSA. Because being a Filipino means loving freedom and being capable of change.
