“The power of the people is much stronger than the people in power”

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Photos via Steven Edward Rogers.

“Because I think the Filipino is worth crying for”. David Briscoe, February 25, 1986

people powerI felt my baby tumble with joy inside my belly as the announcement from the radio blasted out that indeed Cory Aquino was our new president. My baby is turning 34 years old just as we celebrate the EDSA People Power celebration this year. Yes, it has been 34 years since my joy came in a stream of tears. There were many reasons worth crying for: a sign of relief from the threats of a civil war, the challenges facing the new President, for the citizenry who finally showed the courage to challenge the Marcoses.

I smiled and caressed my belly, assuring my unborn baby that she will now be born in a democracy. As a new mother, I desired nothing else but peace, not the turmoil that was about to explode with the election cheating done under a dictatorial regime. Fighting the dictatorship was a struggle I fought for as a student in the state university.

Ang sarap maging Filipino.

For many years, I idolized Cory Aquino. I looked up to Cory Aquino for having the courage to fight a dictator and restore a democracy. I am forever grateful for that. Never mind if her government faced many power struggles. Never mind if Kamaganak Inc allegedly gained from her presidency. Many years in denial. It took the same daughter to shake off that “romantic affair” with the People power revolution. It is easy to romanticize while pondering at what EDSA meant.

The same daughter that somersaulted inside me 34 years ago questioned my initial support for Noynoy Aquino when I wrote the entry, Noynoy Aquino- The Gate Changer. What were his qualifications? Just because he is the son of a beloved president? I mused and perused. It took my wise daughter born at the peak of the People power revolution fever to awaken me from that stupor. I thought I knew all the answers for the future citizens of the country. Mommies can make a mistake too. This time around, I did not allow my “cory fan mode” to cloud my judgement over the euphoria of People Power. I soon got disillusioned with her presidency.

I agree that despite the people’s victory at EDSA 36 years ago, the Philippines remain beset by serious social problems. The mere changing of presidents – from Marcos to Aquino to Duterte–were not enough to change the rotten system. We should not rely solely on our leaders to achieve change.

Mommies know what is best for their children, but this time, my children knew what is best for them.

people power

Listen to your children. Discuss the issues and their future,

Mommy power is in our hands.

Yesterday marked  my blog’s 16th anniversary and this blog transcended beyond just a grief advocacy blog. The domain name, aboutmyrecovery.com not only speaks about my personal recovery.

My blog aboutmyrecovery.com now encompasses the recovery of our country and the struggles to achieve it.  It is now about a mom trying to make a difference for the future of my children and the future of my country.

“Enemies of democracy will as usual try to use the last 30 years of failed governance to downplay 1986. Not because they care about addressing the failure of both pre and post ’86 governments, but because they want us to forget that the people hold the true power to create change.”, says Diego Magallona

I hope that the current generation continues to uphold the lessons of “people power” and continue the struggle for national freedom and democracy. We should continue to intensify our collective struggle because we cannot rely on government or any politician to achieve radical, thoroughgoing change.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

(this is an update to my post originally written ten  years ago)

Photo via Steven Edward Rogers.

My EDSA 1 babies

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edsa1-babies

My husband caressed my protruding belly and felt our baby move. His smile turned to a frown as he knitted his brows, ““We need to pack up and move to the mountains.” I stood up and responded, “No, we’re staying put. I know something good will happen. I just know it.” My stubborn refusal started a minor spat when he remarked about my naivete that a civil war will soon erupt because then President Marcos will make sure he will still rule the country.

A few days after on February 22, 1986, my heart raced when I heard over the radio that Juan Ponce Enrile holed up himself at Camp Aguinaldo. There is hope, I thought. I couldn’t help getting worried though. Will the dictator budge? Will there be a civil war?

Then the call for People Power came. I told my husband he has to go. Fighting the dictatorship was a struggle I fought for as a student at the state university and felt sad I could not participate in this one big rally.

I prayed, listened, and moved around the house for the rest of the days. On February 25, 1986, I felt my baby tumble with joy inside my belly as the announcement from the radio blasted out that indeed Cory Aquino was our new president. That baby, Lauren, is now a 28-year-old lady turning 29 next month. It’s been 29 years since my joy came in a stream of tears. There were many reasons worth crying for , a sigh of relief from the threats of a civil war, the challenges facing the new President, for the citizenry who finally showed the courage to challenge the Marcoses.

I smiled and touched my belly gently, assuring my unborn baby that she will now be born in a democracy. I loved our new president. She offered hope to the future of my baby. As a new mother, I desired nothing else but peace, not the turmoil that was about to explode with the cheating of the elections done under a dictatorial regime.

A year after People Power 1, I dressed up my little Lauren with a “People Power” shirt.  I can’t help feeling sad , sometime tearful at the situation we are in right now. No real change except a change in trapos, and oligarchs. I often ponder, What will the future of my children be like in the Philippines?

my daughter

My second daughter came in September 1987, a few days after a coup attempt threatened our fragile democracy. My two girls are EDSA 1 babies, just like the millions of others aged 24 to 29 years old who have no memories of those glorious People Power days.

It is not surprising that an entire generation born after EDSA 1 are the vibrant youth. President Noynoy Aquino believes it is very important to engage our youth ““when it comes to the EDSA 1 celebration… to explain to them what it meant to our democracy and to pass on to them the spirit of the revolution.”

How do I exactly explain the spirit of EDSA 1 that I want my babies to pass on? Twenty-nine years later, a new era of democratic politics in the Philippines arrived. Progress has been slow. The fault does not lie with the People Power Revolution or with Filipinos as a people. The full potential of our country has yet to be tapped.

The spirit of EDSA 1 showed our capacity for greatness and willingness to sacrifice for the country’s good. It is inherent in each one of us. I thought it was enough to have a wonderful president and let her do the job. I failed to be vigilant, remaining apathetic about politics. I know now that the hope of our country lies in an empowered citizenry. It is so easy to sit in the comfort of our couch and rant as each new problem faces us in front of the television screens. I constantly discuss with my two girls about the critical issues that our country faces. Not only do I discuss about them, but I also participate actively in specific causes such as supporting the Reproductive Health Bill or pushing for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act. My EDSA 1 babies have taken it upon themselves to be involved in their own capacity, with no prodding from my side.

To my dear EDSA 1 babies, and to parents who want to pass on the spirit of the People Power revolution, the power lies in you. There is only one power that can face and surmount the misuse and abuse of the powers of the presidency and that is the power of an aware, vigilant and organized citizenry. If we won’t try to know what is happening to our country, nothing will also happen to us. People need to know how things are being run by those in power. If they see something is wrong, they should be able to bring it to light. Start discussing issues with your children. Participate in an advocacy that you are passionate about, be it in reproductive health, pork barrel, cybercrime law, voters education, freedom of information or any cause that is good for our country.

It’s time we all stood up and do our share. Stand up and be counted. The hope of the country lies in you, the power of an active citizenry.

““I don’t have any formula for ousting a dictator or building democracy. All I can suggest is to forget about yourself and just think of your people. It’s always the people who make things happen.” Corazon Aquino