MANILA – Yellow was the color at the Araneta Coliseum while orange dominated an event at the Mall of Asia when the country celebrated the 24th anniversary of the Edsa People Power 1 Thursday.
But former President Fidel Ramos, who is one of the main characters in the Edsa People Power revolution, said the historic uprising belongs to all Filipinos regardless of color.
“Yung Edsa, hindi exclusive property ng isang pamilya, isang partido, isang kulay o isang unit o isang commander. [Ang Edsa ay] para sa lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino lalo na sa mga darating pang Pilipino (Edsa is not an exclusive property of any family, political party, color, a (military) unit or a (military) commander. Edsa is for every Filipino),” Ramos said during the fourth day of the weeklong commemoration of the historic revolt at the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) monument in Ortigas.
President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, who led the 24th People Power anniversary at the People’s Power Monument in Edsa, said the wounds caused by the two People Power revolutions have already been “partially” healed.
She said some of the personalities involved in the mass uprising have either found their own place under the political system or are seeking elective position after subjecting themselves to the rules of the Constitution.
“A few years ago I declared that one of our goals is to heal the wounds of Edsa. To some extent, but not necessarily to the extent that we want it, we have achieved this,” she said.
Arroyo said the February 1986 Edsa revolution has “taught the world how to be free again” and inspired many nations to stand up for their own freedom by pursuing a “bloodless revolution.”
She added that the people power is neither partisan nor about “whose politics one supports” but is instead about the heroism of the many who “held strongly to their faith in the Filipino and have sought a new Philippines that would stand proudly beside any free nation in the world.”
“It is a spirit that brought to the fore the greatness of the Filipino. The greatness that is continuously manifested today in the millions of our countrymen and women who make their own daily sacrifices so that our country can turn around,” she said.
“Peaceful revolution is a hallmark of the Filipino struggle. It is also our guide now as we wage war on various fronts: against poverty, against hunger, against ignorance. People Power is the force that we will use to win this war.”
Arroyo, however, reminded the public that while the world embraced Edsa 1 in 1986 and tolerated Edsa 2 in 2001, it would no longer forgive an Edsa 3.
“Another such uprising would instead be condemned and the Philippines and its political system would just be tagged as ‘hopelessly unstable.’”
In his statements about Edsa, Ramos, however, could be referring to Cory’s son, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party.
Since Noynoy announced his intention to seek the presidency, he and other LP members have been adopting various symbols of the Edsa revolt for their political campaign, such as yellow for their political color and the iconic figures of Noynoy’s parents themselves.
Yellow was the color code for pro-Aquino protests and sympathies since 1983, when Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was assassinated.
Yellow vs orange
Meanwhile, two opposing political parties in the coming elections have their respective celebrations in different locations.
Senator Aquino said he did not know what the Nacionalista Party, headed by presidential candidate, Senator Manny Villar was celebrating in another venue.
"Di ko alam ang ipinagdiriwang doon. Pero okay lang sa akin. Kung meron talagang gustong pasukan at gunitain ang ginawa ng sambayanang Pilipino sa Edsa, nasa kanila yan. May kalayaan tayo. (I don't know what they are celebrating there but it's okay with me. If they really want to commemorate what the Filipino people did in Edsa, that's up to them. We have freedom)," Noynoy said.
Noynoy harbored no ill feelings against the move even if it might be intentional.
"Maraming araw na pwede gawin - bukas siguro o Sabado pero pinili ang araw na ito. As usual, okay lang po (There are many other days, maybe tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday but they chose this day. As usual, it's okay" he said.
In another venue, NP organized a rock concert in the Mall of Asia grounds and was attended by various stars and bands.
Araneta Coliseum was painted yellow Thursday as the 18,000 members of the Liberal Party’s "yellow army" gathered to commemorate People Power 1.
In a speech, Noynoy said the presidency is his destiny.
"Sa mga nanlalait hindi lang sa akin kundi sa panawagan ng panahon, simple lang ang sagot ko: 'Ito ang ating tadhana (To those who are criticizing not just me but the call of the times, my answer is simple: 'This is our destiny)," he said
In an apparent takeoff of Villar's advertisement about swimming in a sea of garbage and sleeping in the middle of the road, Aquino recalled the injustices he experienced during Martial Law.
"Nasubukan na ba ninyo makulong ng pasko at bagong taon para lang makapiling ang inyong mahal sa buhay na wala namang kasalanan (Have you tried being in jail during Christmas and New Year just to be with your loved one who did not do anything wrong)?" Noynoy said to a clapping crowd.
"Nakaranas na ba kayo na mag-iyakan ang inyong buong pamilya pagsapit ng bagong taon sa malitt na selda samantalang nagdidiwang at nagasasaya sa labas ang buong daigdig? (Have you experienced crying with your entire family at the dawn of New Year in a small prison cell while everyone else in the world are celebrating and having fun)?" he added.
"Nakaranas na ba kayong maging kuya at tatay sa mga kapatid na babae sa murang edad ng iyong pagkabinata (Have you experienced being a father and a son to your sisters at a young age)?" he said.
While Villar channeled poverty in his advertisement, Noynoy, admitting that his family is really not poor, showed his experience of social injustice.
"Ang lahat ng naranasan kong ito ay bahagi ng isang bangungot na hindi dapat nangyari at lalo nang hindi na dapat mangyari (What happened to me is part of a nightmare that shouldn't have happened and should not happen anymore)," he said to a crowd roaring into chants of "Noynoy! Noynoy!" while flashing the iconic L hand gesture.
"Tie a yellow ribbon" sang in the background before Noynoy started his speech.
The crowd, led by LP leaders, chanted "Noynoy, hindi ka nag-iisa (Noynoy you are not alone)" after his speech. The phrase was a popular message to Cory by the Filipino people when she was widowed.
In Cebu, LP candidates and their allies commemorated People Power with a program at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.
Wide screens were put up to show the LP rally led by Noynoy and Senator Mar Roxas at the Araneta Coliseum. (OCP/ Angela Casauay/JMR/Sunnex)