38 years constitute 38 revolutions made by the Earth around the Sun, but only one major revolution comes to mind every February 25th.

Internationally respected and acclaimed as a “peaceful” protest, the People Power Revolution held on February 22-25, 1986 along the roads of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) was definitely one for the books. It was a bloodless way of overthrowing the dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and his family from the top, resulting in the family fleeing to Hawaii and the Filipinos finally achieving their well-deserved freedom after two decades of atrocities. 38 years may seem distant, but in contemporary times with another Marcos in the presidential seat, the revolution remains as extant as it was.

February cannot come to an end without celebrating the anniversary of the revolution on the 25th, regardless of what day it falls on. However, 2024 becomes an exception as the Malacanang Palace issued Proclamation No. 386 last October 2023, with the anniversary of the revolution nowhere to be found in the list of regular and special non-working holidays. This mirrors the way Marcos Sr. used the law as a dirty medium in manipulating power all for himself and thereby violating the rights and welfare of many.

Such a tactic may also function latently as a means of distracting the masses with the Charter Change (ChaCha), a widely used term to refer to the amendments or revisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Various proposals made by the House of Representatives are circling the archipelago with the filing of RBH7 (Resolution of Both Houses No. 7), a ‘near-clone’ of the predecessor RBH6, only proposing a few amendments on economic provisions to open up international interest. The topic became another focal point of the protests marched by thousands of Filipinos to commemorate the anniversary.

When Filipinos from all walks of life successfully campaigned 38 years ago, it served as a gentle reminder and promise to not elect another dictator in position, let alone another Marcos. In an administration where most officials use their power to conduct unethical activities, we must remain as vigilant as ever.

The Palace explained that the anniversary of the EDSA Revolution falls on a Sunday, coinciding with the rest day for most laborers hence there is no major socioeconomic impact in declaring it a holiday. However, one should focus less on the economic side of the holiday, but more so on the story behind the holiday as reverence for the true and astute Filipino spirit that is still fervently burning even after all these years.

Despite the countless attempts of repression, we need to keep our eyes open and leave it as it is for the next years to come, regardless of whether a Marcos descendant is still in the seat or not. We should remain critical in pointing out both the subtle and loud misdeeds forged by the current administration. 

History may first appear repetitive, but not when we learn something from it. The sun is still aflame and the heart of the protest is still looming large. We must go on with our lives tucking the thought of the protest deep within our minds as life is just an unending revolution. Today is the golden age to fight for what is truly right; look out, for today commences the revolution of our lives.