THE Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education called on educational institutions to join the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Feb. 25.
“Students and the youth, as heirs of democratic space, must cultivate the knowledge, values, and resolve to challenge injustice, misinformation, and authoritarian tendencies,” read a joint statement dated Feb. 5.
The statement stressed the need to challenge injustice and hold the government accountable to honor the legacy of EDSA People Power.
“Governance must be anchored in accountability, respect for human rights, transparency, and service to the common good,” it read.
The groups urged educational institutions to declare Feb. 25 a holiday and initiate Masses, youth forums, and discussions to instill critical thinking and ethical discernment among students.
Ateneo de Manila University has released a statement declaring Feb. 25 a holiday.
Meanwhile, the August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) lamented that yellow — the color of the EDSA People Power Revolution — has been demonized for the past 10 years.
The group stressed that the color yellow does not belong to a single organization but is a symbol of resistance.
“But we believe it is time to reclaim People Power from the lies that were fed to us by the followers of the Marcos dictatorship, not as a partisan slogan, but as a shared civic inheritance,” ATOM said Saturday.
“What happened on February 22 to 25, 1986, is documented history. According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, millions assembled in largely peaceful protests, leading to the end of Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship and the restoration of democratic governance,” the group said. “People Power belongs to the Filipino people. Its meaning is anchored in documented history. ... And its spirit remains relevant wherever constitutional order and democratic truth are at risk.” ATOM also called on schools to declare Feb. 25 a holiday.
“For those who have not done so yet, we call on schools to declare a People Power holiday on February 25. Or devote this day on campus to alternative learning about the 1986 Revolution,” the group said.
The government has declared this year’s commemoration of the People Power Revolution a “special working holiday.”
