Glory Days of EDSA

For three days, men, women and children filled the streets of EDSA holding on frail hope. For those brief moments, they feared for their security, their lives, their future.

Rumors were spreading all over that the forces from the loyalists were coming in from the north to silence the cry of the people through bullets and shells. The prayers grew louder; anxiety filled the air.

From above, the citizens of Manila resembled ants swarming on the entire stretch of EDSA. Most of the streets were blockaded and trees were cut down to serve as makeshift anti-tank barricades. Curious civilians climbed the 25-ft. light posts to have a glimpse over the crowd. Along the curbs, women attended to the thirsty, hungry and the weary. Men stood vigilant and served as perimeter guards just in case loyalist troops decided to attack. Priests and nuns prayed and comforted people as they made their way through the population with rosaries at hand.

Tanks were on the other edge of EDSA, and the people had no hesitation to meet them with bare hands and prayers. Soldiers aboard the vehicles climbed out and were ordered to shoot. Most either shot in the air or were simply shocked at the amount of sacrifice ordinary people are willing to gamble. Tears rolled down their eyes as they were greeted with food and comfort from the rebels.

As Marcos proclaimed his presidency atop the balcony of the Malacañang, little did the remaining supporters realize that their would-be president was already arranging his plans for Hawaii.

This is the EDSA revolution – the peaceful cry for freedom.

(Narration credits: The EDSA Revolution Website)

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Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo

Apo Hiking Society

'Di na 'ko papayag mawala ka muli.

'Di na 'ko papayag na muli mabawi,

Ating kalayaan kay tagal natin mithi.

'Di na papayagang mabawi muli.

Magkakapit-bisig libo-libong tao.

Kay sarap palang maging Pilipino.

Sama-sama iisa ang adhikain.

Kelan man 'di na paalipin.

Ref:

Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,

Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.

Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan

Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.

Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat.

Masdan ang nagaganap sa aming bayan.

Nagkasama ng mahirap at mayaman.

Kapit-bisig madre, pari, at sundalo.

Naging Langit itong bahagi ng mundo.

Huwag muling payagang umiral ang dilim.

Tinig ng bawat tao'y bigyan ng pansin.

Magkakapatid lahat sa Panginoon.

Ito'y lagi nating tatandaan.

(repeat refrain two times)

Coda:

Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.

Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan.

Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.

Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat!

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On that glorious year of 1986 in EDSA, the world witnessed the triumph of the Filipino.

Fast-forward to the present year, though, the country remained in its old self.

Or is it even worse?

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EDSA People Power proved the reality of God's words in 2 Chronicles 7:14:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

We have, as a nation, humbled and prayed and searched for God's face. We have exposed corruption and evil in the society, and God heard from heaven. He forgave the sins of the nation. He removed the kings and rulers and have set up new ones. And He healed the pains and gave us a brand new beginning for the Nation.

But somewhere along the way, we lost-track and returned to our old-self.

Can we blame God? By no means! There is no way we can say, 'God! You didn't help us. God! you were wrong in choosing our new rulers!' No way, we can say that.

We have asked forgiveness and healing, and restoration in the land. But seems that we have not totally turned to God and asked Him to 'totally' rule among us. But rather, after seeing God do the changes, we have stopped and let the new leaders reign over us. Men and women who hunger for money, power, and still more power have started to penetrate the leadership of our nation. And since then, as a nation, we have never really returned to God.

As I see the situation today, I believe that there is so much hunger and thrist for change. Such was in the days of Marcos and Ninoy. The people are ready. And God is always ready and willing to give us another brand new start- but we've got to pray and ask Him to install the righteous rulers of this land.

Moral Ascendency: Righteous leaders who fear and obey the word of God. This is what the people clamor for. Again, the people are ready. And God's eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9).


May He finally install the right rulers.
May He finally bring back the glory days of EDSA.
May He finally bring glory to the Philippines.