DESPITE THE Malacañang’s exclusion of the 1986 People Power Revolution as a holiday this year, the Ateneo community persevered to keep its memory alive through various commemorative forums and exhibits held from February 19 to 29.
Primary to these initiatives was the Ateneo Martial Law Museum and Library’s (AMLML) slate of commemorative events, which included collaborations with University offices and departments. Notably, this commemoration included a University Mass and a mini-concert last February 23.
AMLML Coordinator Oliver Quintana shared that these initiatives reflect AMLML’s central theme for this year’s EDSA commemoration, “Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa’t isa.” Quintana positioned this message as “the call to go beyond ourselves, as EDSA [once] exemplified people’s concern and love for one’s countrymen.”
Marking the date
Other student-led organizations such as the Sanggunian and the Ateneo Assembly also held their respective forums regarding EDSA’s relevance, especially in relation to current issues such as the move for charter change.
In particular, The Ateneo Assembly hosted an open dialogue at the Zen Garden last February 27 to hopefully spark Ateneans’ awareness of socio-political topics like the People Power Revolution.
The Ateneo Assembly President Dan Vijandre shared that small initiatives like these make “the real impact” as they help people stay informed and aware of the truth in more personal senses.
Meanwhile, the Sanggunian Commission on Socio-Political Development (CSPD) launched an exhibit across the Science Education Complex (SEC) Walk to honor former Ateneans and Jesuits who took part in the People Power Revolution. Sanggunian President Bernice Mendoza said that this initiative is part of the Sanggunian’s goal of “remembering [the past] and ensuring it will not happen again.”
Along with these initiatives, various organizations also published a joint statement last February 25 to highlight their solidarity in continuously commemorating the spirit of the EDSA People Power Revolution amid present “democracy and freedom challenges.”
Igniting the memory
In unifying this year’s initiatives, Quintana reemphasized the AMLML’s hope to reclaim and retell the story of EDSA. Particularly, Mendoza believes that the Ateneo should institutionally double its efforts to commemorate it in light of efforts to downplay its importance.
Adding to this, Vijandre asserted that the government’s excuse to exclude EDSA as a holiday due to it falling on a Sunday is “not an appropriate excuse given [the] anniversary’s [importance] to our democracy.”
Similarly, Quintana shared that “EDSA only becomes relevant if you can situate it […] within the realm of your own advocacies.” He expressed hopes that EDSA would not just be remembered, but that its core values continue to thrive through the youth today.
