Senator Bam Aquino Urges Filipinos to View Edsa Revolution as Unfinished Mission
As the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution draws near, Senator Bam Aquino is calling on Filipinos, with a special emphasis on the younger generation, to perceive this historic uprising not as a concluded event but as an "unfinished revolution" that requires persistent efforts to combat corruption and injustice.
Reflecting on Unrealized Reforms
In remarks made ahead of the commemoration, Aquino reflected on the lasting lessons of Edsa, highlighting that many of the reforms Filipinos advocated for in 1986 have yet to be fully realized. He challenged the next generation to take up the mantle and advance the movement's original vision.
"A lot of the things we fought for have not yet been achieved. So rather than thinking of it as a failed revolution, I think about it as an unfinished revolution… It is not yet over, and it still needs to be completed," Aquino stated, stressing that today's youth might be the ones to finally accomplish what earlier generations initiated.
Shifting from Remembrance to Responsibility
Aquino reoriented the anniversary focus from mere recollection to renewed accountability, underscoring the critical roles played by young people and the media during the uprising. He believes these roles remain essential in today's era, characterized by digital misinformation and historical revisionism.
He recalled how the underground station Radyo Bandido became the voice of the people after Radio Veritas was shut down, noting that teenagers assisted in operating the station alongside broadcaster June Keithley and members of Fr. James Reuter's theater group.
"Those 24 to 48 hours that Radyo Bandido was on air were so crucial… It was teenagers who were running the radio station," he said, emphasizing that ordinary citizens, rather than politicians, were the driving force behind sustaining the movement.
Emphasizing Unity and Selflessness
Aquino pointed out that the spirit of People Power was founded on unity and selflessness, values he cautioned must not be forgotten in public memory.
"There was a time when the people united and found courage… We fought for something for our country more than our individual selves… We cannot let that go," he asserted.
Commemorative Events and Future Actions
As part of the 40th anniversary observance, a kickoff event titled "People Power 40 sa QC Kickoff Concert: Awit at Aksyon Kontra Korapsyon" will be held on February 21 at Quezon Memorial Circle. Additional commemorative activities are also planned across the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
By reframing Edsa as a continuous mission rather than a finished victory, Aquino hopes this milestone anniversary will motivate Filipinos to address contemporary forms of corruption and disinformation, continuing what he describes as a peaceful revolution still in progress.
