President Aquino (5th from left), along with officials, flashes the Laban sign as they sing the ‘Bayan Ko’ anthem at the close of the 28th anniversary rites of the People Power revolt. Also in photo (from left) Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
It was a walk down memory lane. Around 3,000 civilians wearing yellow shirts as well as 800 military personnel and policemen marched towards the Cebu provincial capitol to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the People Power Revolution which toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
It was the first time that the yearly observance of what has been also known as the EDSA Revolution was held outside Metro Manila—a decision which President Benigno Aquino III stood by amid criticisms.
Aquino, who ditched his prepared speech, was grateful to the Cebuanos for securing her mother, the late President Corazon Aquino at the height of the People Power Revolution.
The late president and her daughter Kris took refuge at the Carmelite’s monastery in Mabolo, Cebu City when the uprising in Metro Manila broke out.
Philippine President Benigno Simeon Aquino III recounts Cebu’s role in the anti-dictatorship movement that ended when president Ferdinand Marcos went into exile on Feb. 25, 1986. (CDN PHOTO/ TONEE DESPOJO)
“I felt at peace knowing that since my mother was in Cebu, she was in good hands. I knew the Cebuanos would take good care of them. Anyone who was planning to do something bad to my mom won’t be successful because she was with our active supporters. And again, thank you very much for taking good care of my mother,” Aquino said.
Aquino’s convoy arrived at the Capitol at 7:45 a.m. but the program started 30 minutes later.
He explained the delay over his decision to ditch his prepared speech and decided to talk impromptu and from his heart.
Sa totoo lang, kaya ako na-late ngayon, nakita ko ‘yong talumpati, sabi ko, ‘Hindi ganito.’ Kung papansinin po n’yo, wala po akong teleprompter nitong araw na ito. Hindi ko nagustuhan ang talumpating ginawa. Kaya pagpapasensyahan n’yo kung medyo paikot-ikot ang ating talumpati nitong araw na ito dahil gusto kong malaman n’yong galing po sa puso ito.
The decision to hold the Edsa anniversary in Cebu was also brought about by the role played by Cebuanos in helping areas devastated by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and supertyphoon Yolanda last year.
“In the Philippines, people are capable of loving, not just for members of the family or relatives or friends but as well as those who are not related to us. We’re capable of sacrificing just as what a lot of volunteers did in the relief operations,” Aquino said.
Gov. Davide, in his message, thanked Aquino for celebrating the 28th Edsa People Power anniversary in Cebu.
Davide said he’s hoping that the president can also learn of the Cebuano’s indomitable will to survive, hear first-hand stories of extraordinary resiliency in the aftermath of last year’s calamities.
When the president arrived at the Capitol, he was given full military honors. It was immediately followed by the flag raising ceremony and an interfaith prayer.
The crowd also witnessed the reenactment of the ‘Salubungan’—the historic meeting between anti-dictatorship protesters and defecting Marcos officials and soldiers led by then Defense secretary Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces of the Philippine vice chief of staff general Fidel Ramos.
Actor Dingdong Dantes played the role of Ramos while Bam Aquino represented his Butch Aquino who was among the protesters against Marcos.
Aquino’s key cabinet members, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima.
Cebu provincial government and Cebu City Hall and other local officials also graced the affair.
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