CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Officials of the City and Provincial Government of Pampanga, along with multi-sectoral groups’ representatives, urged the public Thursday to “live the memories and triumphs” of Edsa People Power 1.
Close to 5,000 people gathered to commemorate the bloodless revolution in 1986.
A call to action led by officials and multi-sectoral governance representatives echoed the theme “People Power=Vote Power” that urged Kapampangans and Filipinos to live and not forget the hard-earned democracy and freedom, which toppled the late former President Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship.
“Patuloy nating ipanday sa ating consciousness, lalo na sa kabataan, ang ipinaglaban ng ating mga bayaning sina (late former) President Cory at Sen. Ninoy (Aquino),” said Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.
He told Sun.Star Pampanga that the commemoration of People Power in this city was “nostalgic” for him as he relived his Edsa days and his advocacy of good governance and responsible citizenship, especially this coming May elections.
“Nagagalak ako na tayo ang pinili upang mag host nito dahil noong sa Edsa, maraming Kapampangan at isa ako sa mga naghakot ng mga Kapampangan para doon… At dito sa siyudad San Fernando, ilalagay at patuloy na gugunitain ang peaceful revolution na ito,” he added, as he narrated what he personally experienced during Edsa 1.
“Nakakalungkot na nawawala na ang spirit ng Edsa. Pero kailangan nating gisingin, pukawin, balik tanawin ang mga pangyayari, ang kahulugan at kahalagahan ng People Power,” he said.
Governor Eddie Panlilio, for his part, said: “Sa iba, talagang nawawala na ang diwa ng People Power at Edsa… Pero sa mga taong nagmamahal sa ating bansa, nandiyan pa rin iyan at patuloy nilang isinasabuhay at lalo pa ngang nagniningas. Ang ating nakamit na demokrasya, pagkakaisa, katarungan at pag-unlad at ang importansiya ng panalangin kay Mama Mary ay hindi dapat makalimutan.”
He added that People Power should be translated into voting righteous leaders to public offices and note electing corrupt and selfish officials, saying he himself “sacrificed” priesthood for the sake of the country and the Kapampangans.