By Danielle Roberto

“Traffic na naman sa EDSA,” my mom complained. She relaxed her back on the driver’s seat and let out a sigh of defeat. She peeked me through the rearview mirror and apologetically smiled. I have my History finals tomorrow and instead of studying, I’m stuck in this rowdy road swarmed with vehicles. 

I looked through the window and prepared myself for another lethargic night ahead because I’m pretty sure we won’t be moving soon. I closed my eyes and rested my head on the corner of the car. 

Noise. All I hear is the noise of the cars beeping, the engines purring, and the faint 80’s music playing in the car. Slowly, I drifted into sleep only to be roused by the loud crashing sound. My eyes blinked open and widened when I realized that our car bumped into a military vehicle. I got disconcerted and confusion filled my mind when I saw that my mom wasn’t the one driving our car anymore. It was a stranger. I hurriedly grabbed the lock and went out as fast as I could only to be welcomed by the ocean of people, waving flags, shouting on the top of their lungs. 

“Marcos, ibagsak!” they yelled, revolting in rage. 

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The familiar street was no longer filled with vehicles but flooded with millions of protesters. The people even used themselves to barricade the grounds from military troops. Nuns and seminarians even joined in obstructing the path of armored personnel carriers (APCs). The scene was very familiar, I’ve seen it in pictures, in history books. This is the People Power Revolution. This is EDSA. 

A pandemonium caused by decades of oppression and abuse by the Marcos regime, fueled by the assassination of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and the fraudulent snap elections. As the economy plummeted, the reports of vote buying and intimidation arose which angered the people even more. When the crowd’s choice, Cory Aquino, did not win, and Marcos was the proclaimed winner of the elections, the people did not hesitate to take it to the streets and do whatever it takes to fight the ultimate bane of democracy. 

Noise. This was a different noise— voices of the oppressed. A revolutionary road rage. Instead of angry drivers, it was a sound of wrath that has been pent-up for years. A long-overdue resistance that has finally arrived after being caught up in lengthy historical traffic. 

Even with the armored military tanks rolling, the people did not cower and stood on their ground with their Virgin Mary and Santo Niño statues. Despite the threats, they pushed the tanks away, kneeled, prayed, and resisted. Even when the protestors were tear-gassed by Marcos loyalists, the people remained firm, never giving up the insurgence for liberty. Upon the order of then Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, the Church bells tolled. The four-day revolution in Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) ended with the Marcoses’ departure from the country and Cory Aquino taking an oath as the new Philippine President. 

A smile crept on my lips when I saw how the Filipinos rejoiced in their most-awaited triumph. Filipinos from across the archipelago cheered and celebrated as the shackles of the dark and vile administration of Marcos have finally been unbolted. The tears of genuine joy from those who were tortured, abused, and silenced by the administration struck a chord in my heart. This is EDSA. 

“Anak, we’re home,” I jolted from my seat when I heard my mother’s soft voice and felt her gentle pat. I opened my eyes and wiped the dry tears across my cheeks. When I got off the car, I started staring at the distance in deep contemplation.  

Behind the skyscrapers, beyond the endless lanes of cars, and the busy folks rushing on the side road lie an avenue that has witnessed history— the assertiveness, the fearlessness, and the victory of the Filipinos. It’s more than just a road and more than just a traffic hub. It’s a tangible reminder that we will always hold our freedom, and we must not let anyone take it away from us. Fascists, dictators, and tyrants will always fall when they go against the true power of the people. 

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Sources:
ABS-CBN News. (2016). EDSA: Then and Now #7. Retrieved February 20, 2021, from @ABSCBNNewswebsite: https://news.abs-cbn.com/image/focus/02/24/16/edsa-then-and-now-7
ForumAsiaVideo. (2018). Stories of Change – The Philippine (EDSA) People Power Revolution of 1986 [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW4Xf2aJCng
Marcos. (2016, November 20). Marcos burial: A day of celebration and outrage – Vera Files. Retrieved February 20, 2021, from Vera Files website: https://verafiles.org/articles/marcos-burial-day-celebration-and-outrage
ABS-CBN News. (2017, February 21). TIMELINE: EDSA People Power Revolution. Retrieved February 20, 2021, from ABS-CBN News website: https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/02/21/17/timeline-edsa-people-power-revolution

Photo sources:
http://ttnotes.com/people-power-monument.html https://medium.com/@urbanroamer/the-missed-opportunity-of-the-1986-edsa-revolution-3bdd7cda4f3a https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/07/02/1931192/edsa-traffic-acceptable-2022-dpwh