University Commemoration of the 38th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution

This week marks the 38th anniversary of the dramatic, decisive, and historic four days of the non-violent EDSA People Power Revolution that ousted the brutal, corrupt, and bankrupt Marcos dictatorship on the 25th of February 1986.

The EDSA uprising in significant ways was a spontaneous mobilization of individuals and groups, many of whom came together as schoolmates, officemates, friends and family members, responding to a personal appeal from Jaime Cardinal Sin over Radio Veritas. But the readiness to give of oneself in the face of guns, tanks, and helicopters, was also underpinned by a longer process of formation and engagement in schools, organizations, communities, and the so-called “parliament of the streets” of the 1970s and 1980s. Such experiences instilled a deep value for human dignity, people empowerment, and the promotion of the common good. For many participants, EDSA was a response to the call of a faith that does justice and inspires generous service. As Fr Catalino Arevalo, SJ has said, EDSA was a witness to “disclosure stories” – stories of people responding to what God and country were asking of them – and in turn moving others to respond.

Almost four decades later, EDSA lives on, not just because the restoration of democracy was a genuine popular achievement, but also because it remains an unfinished project. The persistence of weak and unresponsive political and socioeconomic institutions and continuing widespread poverty and injustice fuel deep resentment and a renewed attraction to authoritarianism. There is a need to rebuild a constituency for genuine democratization and peace-building among those who fervently hope for a better Philippines.

In the next several days, the Office of the Vice President for Mission Integration and the Ateneo Martial Law Museum and Library (AMLML-SOSS/HE) invite all members of the Ateneo community to participate in these commemorative activities and events organized together with various offices, units, departments, schools, clusters, and institutions within and outside the Ateneo de Manila University.

This year’s theme for EDSA@38 is “Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa’t isa” – a line taken from a well-loved Filipino mass song by Fr Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ that embodied the spirit of EDSA: shared responsibility for one another and for the country. As we reflect on the continuing lessons and challenges of EDSA, and commemorate Fr Honti’s 100th birth anniversary, as well as the 50th year of Fr Pedro Arrupe’s call to be “persons for others,” may we come together across generations with a shared consciousness and purpose, to give of ourselves in service, especially for the poor and excluded, toward a more just, compassionate, and responsive society.

Mabuhay ang diwa ng EDSA!

#AteneoRemembers #BuhayAngEDSA

19 February (Monday)

EDSA@38 Special Episode of “Lundagin Mo, Beybeh”
with Dr JC Punongbayan, Ms Katrina Stuart Santiago, Mr Ron Capinding, and Dr Jovi Miroy
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Radyo Katipunan and AMLML

Special TFI Session on “Teaching Martial Law: Kaya at Kailangan Ba?”
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
JJ Atencio Lighthouse for New Learning, 4/F Areté
Ateneo Teacher Formation Institute, Ateneo SALT Institute, and AMLML-Senior Fellows

21 February (Wednesday)

Ateneo Campus Heritage Walking Tour
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Meet at Leong Hall Lobby
AMLML-Junior Fellows

Interactive Exhibit on Ateneo and Jesuits during the People Power Revolution
CTC and SOM Buildings
Sanggunian - Commission on Socio-Political Development

EDSA Lives On: Images and Faces of People Power
Special EDSA@38 Commemorative Exhibit
Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace
AMLML, Ateneo Human Rights Center, and the EDSA Shrine Pastoral Council

22 February (Thursday)

EDSA@38 Special Episode of “Baka Naman Pwede”
with Ms Glenda Gloria, Dr Roy Mendoza, and Mr Arjan Aguirre
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Institute of Philippine Culture, Radyo Katipunan, and AMLML

23 February (Friday)

EDSA@38 Special Episode of “Kuwentuhang Bayan”
with Dr Manny Dy, Dr Cathy Vistro-Yu, Ms Lucia Lucas-Chavez, Mr Joshua Valentin, and Mr Karlo Abadines
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, Radyo Katipunan, and AMLML

Street Performance
12:20 PM to 12:30 PM
Zen Garden
Ateneo ENTABLADO

University Mass
Main Presider and Homilist: Fr Bienvenido F. Nebres, SJ
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Church of the Gesù
Office of the Vice President for Mission Integration, Office of Campus Ministry, and AMLML

Magkaisa: EDSA@38 Mini-Concert
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Red Brick Road (in front of Old Rizal Library)
Office of the Vice President for Mission Integration, Office of the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Office of the Dean of the School of Humanities, and AMLML

Ateneans and People Power: From 1986 to 2016
EDSA@38 Special Outdoor Exhibit
Rizal Library Special Collections Building Facade
Rizal Library and AMLML

24 February (Saturday)

What does People Power look like today?
Public Talk and Mass for SLB’s 38th Anniversary
1:30 PM to 6:00 PM
ISO - Walter Hogan Conference Center
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan

25 February (Sunday)

The EDSA Story: A People’s Victory, A Nation’s Glory
Featuring special performances by various Filipino artists, including Ateneo ENTABLADO (with support from AMLML)
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Club Filipino, San Juan City
Presented and produced by the #BuhayAngEDSA Campaign Network

26 February (Monday)

The Political Dance Floor: People Power to Charter Change and its Implications
5:00 to 7:00 PM Leong Hall Auditorium
Sanggunian - Commission on Socio-Political Development

27 February (Tuesday)

Martial Law Symposium Series
Session 2: Subversions and Representations in Collective Remembering
Special Lectures by Mr Joshua Uyheng and Mr Niccolo Vitug
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Faura AVR
Political Psychology of Democratization Research Laboratory and AMLML

Reframing EDSA: The Enduring Strength of Informal Institutions and the Emergence of the Politics of Resentment
Special Lecture by Dr Leland Joseph Dela Cruz
5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
SEC-C 201
Development Studies Program and AMLML

EDSA@38 Special Episode of “Sari-Sari: Panitikan at Kulturang Filipino”
with Dr Gary Devilles, Mr JC Gloria, and Ms Anne Trinidad
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Department of Filipino, Radyo Katipunan and AMLML

EDSA: Power of Memory
5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Zen Garden
Ateneo Assembly

29 February (Thursday)

Film Screening of GomBurZa
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Hyundai Hall, Areté
Office of the Assistant Vice President for Ignatian Spirituality Formation, Department of Fine Arts, Office of the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, AMLML, Jesuit Communications, and ACOMM