The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
I came to the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, at the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue or simply EDSA, purposely in the afternoon of February 25, 2026 after beating deadlines and finishing some domestic chores in our house in Villa Castillo, Pacita 2, San Pedro, Laguna.
Apart from them, I was still nursing an already receding lump in my throat which when referred to Google is medically termed “globus sensation.”
I could endure the discomfort, though.
So, EDSA, here we come.
I arrived at MRT Santolan-Annapolis at around four in the afternoon.
At the train’s window by MRT Ortigas I looked out from the side of the EDSA Shrine and there was only a motley group of marchers obviously retreating as they walked back south-bound.
EDSA People Power Monument
Although there were still people going to the main venue of the event at EDSA People’s Monument to the stretch of White Plains Avenue, they were far and between.
Yes, the bulk of revelers if not protesters wasn’t found at that point in time but in the early morning of the culmination of the celebration of the four-day rally forty years ago that gathered freedom-loving Filipinos to fight against corruption, authoritarianism, imperialism, abuse of the power structure of capitalism, feudalism and the looming darkness that could shatter one’s country to pieces.
On the fourth day, the dictator and the source of discontent and disintegration of a nation was kicked out from the Palace.
The whole Philippines rejoiced and the democratic institutions were restored.
In its fortieth year, though, vigilance was once again recalled as new forms of oppression and corruption were again and again in sight and felt.
Never Again
The spirit and battle cry of EDSA People Power: Never Again!
As I walked down EDSA to the Monument, I was meeting a number of rallyists treading the pavement along Camp Aguinaldo to the People’s Park where police, government and civilian vehicles were parked sideways.
As I turned left to White Plains Avenue, here was the main program.
As I switched back to previous social media posts and images in the morning towards noon and early afternoon, this site was overflowing with people, celebs or not.
This afternoon, those who remained were mostly youth, students and young professionals.
Religious people had also stayed behind and other celebrators of the historic event to continue the observance and the meaning of freedom and responsibility.
Indeed, youth isn’t wasted on the young as millennials, Gen Zs and presumably early members of Generation Alpha were around as they cheered the speeches, musical presentations and other intermission numbers in between talks and banters.
These youngsters might not be conceived by their parents yet at the time of EDSA Revolt but their sense of patriotism and the passionate safeguard for good governance, decency, truth and justice were born and nurtured in them as if they were ahead of their time.
During the portion of “hugot (question-answer)” lines—supply of associated words or phrases to certain images and situations, these young people were aggressive in filling the blanks of intriguing and eclectic sentences alluding to People Power.
Madame Oracle
One of the most awaited and applauded appearances was the playful “horoscope reading” or “fortune telling” by a new character in the entertainment world as colorful as Madame Oracle who was a hit when asked about the “fate,” for instance of Sara Duterte or Bato de la Rosa where she predicted “funny” but “satiric” or “sarcastic” vibes to the delight of the crowd.
Truly, multitudes came to EDSA on its four-day commemoration.
Iza Calzado, Edu Manzano
Actors Iza Calzado and Edu Manzano were early birds on the first day, February 22.
Historian, movie and TV personality Xiao Chua was ecstatic and fulfilled in comparing and contrasting when he was just carrying an August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) flag in the past and currently being a member of the progressive group founded by Butz Aquino et al immediately after the assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1983.
Youth were the alliance of Senior Citizen film, TV and stage artist Jerry Respeto and still young teacher, movie, television and theater advocate Glenn Sevilla Mas, two of the leaders from the Office of the Vice President for Mission and Integration (OVPMI) of the Ateneo de Manila University and the Ateneo Martial Law Museum and Library (AMLML) who presented “Handog: Ateneo Remembers EDSA@40.”
Jerry directed it from the script of Jethro Toledo and the show was hosted by Glenn, Arkel Suaco Mendiza and Sha Hernandez.
Austin Gonzales was Technical Director and Oliver John Quintana as Project Coordinator with Smile Indias as Production Manager.
The group was wearing Linya-Linya shirts.
“Nakiisa sa diwa ng EDSA,” exclaimed Sevilla Mas proudly and jubilantly.