Remembering Two Edsas

I was barely five years old when Edsa People Power 1 happened. I can only remember the songs that were popularized during those times. Father might not have wanted me to watch history unfold before my young eyes. After all, he was a Marcos loyalist, though he served as appointed official in our Municipality after Cory was elected.

Meanwhile, I was nineteen years old when Edsa Dos happened. I was one of the active student leaders in school that campaigned for the ouster of Erap. It was not an easy ordeal. The police were so fond of using truncheons and water cannons on protesting students then.

The circumstances that led to these two Edsas may have been different but they carried one message: that the people's collective action is what brought these two presidents down. Marcos was toppled not because of Sen. Juan Ponce-Enrile and definitely not because of former president Fidel Ramos. Erap vacated Malacañang not because of Gloria Arroyo. The people who marched from Edsa Shrine to Mendiola stayed on guard to ensure Erap leaves that same afternoon.

This afternoon, we passed by EDSA. Tarpaulins with Cory's and Ninoy's faces were hanged in strategic places with text that read "Remembering Edsa." A concert/gathering is set to be held on February 25. Yes, there are different forms of remembering a very significant event in the history of the Philippines. And I must assume that most of the attendees' age range from 18-25 years old.

Some were not even born yet when Edsa 1 took place. The most effective way for them to learn about the historic toppling of a dictator is through memorabilia, video compilations, pictures and oldies personally re-telling about what really transpired during those times.

What we have missed doing is how these two Edsas should be relived. Another tyrant is still in power. She has been in power for 9 years and is about to reign even beyond 2010. Let us ready ourselves to do another Edsa if she still remains in power.

The first family's mode of thinking that they already are embedded in Filipino people's lives must have stuck in their heads that there are four of them already in Congress.

It is a must that GMA vacates Malacañang after her term, lest, abuse of human rights will worsen.