EDSA Day: The People Revolution of the Philippines

(First published in Small World Ezine on 25 February 2002)

 

Once Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino, the exiled opposition figure,
arrived at Manila International Airport in 1983, He was 
murdered even before his feet touched the Philippine ground.

Before the return, his family and friends tried to ask
him not to come back but he insisted to. They told him his 
life was in danger. Ninoy said "The Filipino is worth dying 
for". This word of his, nowadays, appeared on all Philippine 
Peso banknotes. He became the country's second hero after 
his death. (The first hero was Dr. Jose Rizal whose 
execution by the Spanish regime raise the independent fight 
all over the Philippines more than a hundred years ago).

Aquino's murder precipitated a loss of confidence in the 
business community. Capital left the country in the rate of 
US$12 million a day. The country went bankrupt, and that,
actually, was the start of the EDSA's riot in 1986.

The matter went hot and hotter when Corazon Aquino, the 
widow of Ninoy Aquino's, candidated for the Presidential 
election in 1985 and was robbed of her winning by President 
Ferdinand Marcos's administration. Moreover, General Ver, 
one of Marcos's people, was acquitted of complicity in the 
Aquino assassination. Of course, Marcos was suspected to be 
behind all these.

The Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jaime Sin, declared on 
February 8, 1986 that the election was fraud. Computer 
workers of COMELEC (the Commission on Elections), noticed 
the discrepancies between the numbers they had in the 
computers and the official announcements, also stood up with 
the church and Corazon Aquino to tell the people the truth. 

Despite of the government's controls over media, the people
learned the truth and asked Marcos to step down. Marcos 
reimposed the martial laws (which was actually being used 
almost all the two decades of his presidency) and planned to
arrest Mrs. Aquino and other 10,000 members of the 
opposition.

On February 22, Defense Secretary and his Vice Chief of 
Staff decided to turn their back to Marcos and join the 
rebel.

The main traffic artery in Manila is a wide boulevard named
Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA for short). And that's 
where the people gathered chanting "Cory, Cory, Cory!" (for
Corazon Aquino). Cardinal Sin gave his words of support and 
after a while ministers and nuns started their fast to 
protest.

The nuns and the people also lined themselves to protect 
the rebels when Marcos sent tanks and gunmen. When 
helicopter pilots, who were supposed to shoot into the 
crowd, saw how strong the people were this time, they 
surrendered the gunships to the rebels.

On February 24, the U.S. Ambassador said Marcos should leave 
the country. President Reagan said he and his family will be 
allowed to stay in the U.S. (wonder why?). And Nancy Reagan
told Emelda Marcos (the First Lady) that there's no hope. 
Then, almost the entire armed forces had peacefully deserted 
Marcos by the 25th.

Marcos and the family left Malacanyang Presidential Palace 
that night and they left for Guam and Hawaii the next 
morning.

For more insight on the last day of Marcos in the 
Philippines, go to http://stuartxchange.com/DayFour.html 
This is so dramatic that I almost felt sorry for them. 


Hail to the people of the Philippines. 

 

More:


I hope all the revolution could be like EDSA's people power. 
The Philippines had two of this in its modern history (one
for Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and the other for Joseph
Estrada in 2001), and no-one died in the rallies.

Today, Manila International Airport has got its new name...
"Ninoy Aquino International Airport" for remembrance of 
their national hero, who has shown his love for the country
and its people unconditionally. 

In Thailand, where I was born, they said, "When a buffalo,
bull, or elephant dies, there'll still be horns or tasks
as evidences for its once-being. When a human die, there is 
nothing, except for what the person has accomplished in his
life -- good or evil -- remaining in this world." (Oh... 
there is no bone either. Thais cremate their bodies when we 
die.)

Had the gunmen in Tien Un Mehn square (and several other 
places in the world) had this kind of consciousness -- know
what's right or wrong, innocent people would not have lost 
their lives like falling leaves.

Oh there were "Nigerian scams" claimed to be letters from 
Loi Estrada, Joseph Estrada's wife, too. Please do not trust
these people. Loi Estrada is fine in the Philippines. While 
her husband's popularity went down the ravine, Loi is fine.
She was even elected a senator (after the impeachment
incident... believe it or not... She must be dreaming of 
being another Hilary.)

An Eyewitness History People Power: The Philippine Revolution of 1986

Chinese New Year

Previous Chinese New Year Articles published in Small World Ezine:

	27 January 2003
	13 January 2004
	Hong Kong's New Year

   

Happy Chineae New Year 2003  Long time ago, there was a monster called Nian. It was born  to be very ugly and ferocious. On the first and the 15th of  each lunar month, the monster would come down from the  mountains to hunt people. People were very afraid of it and  locked themselves inside the houses early before sunset on  the days of its coming.  There lived an old wise man in a village. He thought it was  the panic in people that made the monster so bold and  furious. Thus the old man asked people to organize together  and to conquer the monster by means of beating drums and  gongs, burning bamboo, and lighting fireworks in purpose of  making large noises to threaten the hateful monster.  At a moonless and freezing cold night, the monster, Nian,  appeared again. The moment it opened its mouth at people,  burst out the frightening noises and fire made by villagers.  Wherever the monster went, it was faced with the terrible  noises.  The monster was forced around until it fell down with  exhaustion and was then killed. Savage as the monster was,  he lost in the end by the cooperation of the villagers. Since then, people have kept the tradition by beating drums  and gongs, and lighting fireworks at the coldest day in  winter to drive the imagined monsters away and to celebrate  the victory over it. They also wear red clothes to scare the  monster. Today, Nian refers to the New Year's day or the Spring  Festival. People often say Guo Nian, which means 'live the  festival.' Red becomes the color of joy.  On the first day of Chinese New Year, people usually have a  vegetarian diet, fearing that killing anything on the first  day of the New Year will bring bad luck. Good food will be  served on the next days. Other than family get together and the parades of food, New  Year is also a good time for people to visit their friends  and relatives. People greet one another a happy New Year and  use auspicious words like 'Kung Hei Fat Choy' (wishing you  all the wealth in the coming year). It is also traditional that children pay their respects to  the older generation at home by greeting them a happy and  healthy New Year first thing in the morning on the New Year  Day. Then the family will call and visits their relatives,  friends and business contacts, bringing them New Year  greetings and gifts. Kids and employees got lots of "red envelopes" with money  inside :-) It is yet another custom for the people to stay home on the  third day of the New Year festival, based on a superstitious  belief that it is a bad day to visit friends and relatives,  if one do so, there will only be quarrels and disagreements.  Therefore, people choose to go to the temple and make  offerings to the God instead, or simply conduct other ritual  ceremonies.  Other than the tradition mentioned above, there are also an  interesting list of superstitious believes during this  festival.  For instance, all debts must be paid by New Year Day and  nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so  will be lending all the year. Everyone should refrain from  using foul language, bad and unlucky words, negative terms  and the word 'four' ("si" in Chinese), which sounds like the  word for death, are not to be uttered at all.  Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are  taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as  everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new  beginning.  It is also believed that if you cry on New Year's day, you  will have a sorrowful coming year which will make you cry a  lot. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not punished even when they are mischievous. I remember when I was a kid,  it's the most joyful time of the year for all my Chinese  friends as they could be as naughty as they wanted.  On New Year's Day, one is also not supposed to wash his hair  or clean the house, for fear that good luck will be washed  and swept away. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve,  every door in the house, including windows, must be opened  to allow the old year to go out.  This year's Chinese New Year starts on the first of  February. It is going to be the year of the Goat (or Ram or Sheep). And this is the 4700th year of the Chinese calendar. Kong Hei Fat Choi everyone :-) ----------------------------------------------------- Happy New Year 2004 What is the largest ethnic group in the world? What language  is the most spoken? And which country has the largest  population? Chinese, Chinese, China... Chinese New Year 2004 starts on January 22, and the  celebration takes the whole week... actually fifteen days...  It ends with the Lantern Festival. Traditionally, the New Year starts with the New Moon on the  first day of the lunar New Year and ends on the full moon 15  days later. So it falls on a different date every year.  Most of the time it's about eating good food, talking about good things, and seeing relatives. If you know a Chinese who owes you something, this is the best time to go ask for it. They have to get rid of all debt to start the New Year clean ;-) The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the  gods of the heavens and earth". Many people eat vegetarian  food, as it is a good deed - prevent killing. (However, this  is the time of the year that duck, geese, chicken and pig  vendors make the most profits). Families visit their elders  on the third and fourth days, but it is forbidden to go out  on the fifth day because it is the day the God of Wealth  visits households. On the sixth to the tenth day, however,  are the days to go out and have fun. They also visit the  temples to pray for good fortune and health. The Chinese  are not really loyal to one single religion, so any Chinese  temple will serve the purpose fine.  After heavy parties at every house you get yourself invited,  the thirteenth day of the New Year is the day to take a rest  with lighter food... Just to be prepared for the Lantern  Festival on the Fifteenth night! What a celebration, ha?  It is one of the most joyful times of the year for the  Chinese. They don't even work... And the Chinese are the  world's most famous diligent workers! If you are invited or if you'd like to give something to  your Chinese friends... Make sure your gift is colorful (and/or loud - as loud  noises scare the devils away). Red is the favorite color for  the New Year. Gold (gold chains, bracelets, figurines) is  not a bad gift to give. Oranges and tangerines are the most  popular fruits to give as the name of the fruits in Chinese  sounds the same as the word "lucky". Avoid tofu and bean  curds as they are white... a mourning color. Avoid from any  gift of pale colors. Do not wear white clothes to a Chinese  house either (especially when there is someone old or sick  with them). What else?...  Kong Hey Fat Choi! The famous San Francisco Chinese New Year parade ---------------------------------------------------------------- Hong Kong New Year Courtesy of News Canada (Published in Small World Exine on 16 December 2003) (NC)—Everyone loves a parade. From Carnival in Rio to Caribana in Toronto, colourful costumes and festive music will draw a crowd every time. They've discovered that in Hong Kong where visitors this year will be able to enjoy many more aspects of New Year Celebrations than just the Chinese New Year Parade. Hong Kong is a unique destination in Asia and has remained so because of its incredible sophistication and rich cultural mix. This year, instead of focusing visitor attention on the parade, the entire 15-day New Year celebrations have been packaged - hotel rooms along with a variety of festival events including flower markets, fireworks, visiting temples and horse-racing. The parade itself has been given new significance by transforming it into the International Chinese New Year Night Parade. New Year begins on the first day of the moon after the sun enters Aquarius - so in 2004 the Year of the Monkey begins on January 22. Crowds will line the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui to enjoy the spectacular creative lighting effects that will add to the dazzle of fanciful and elaborate costumes. Performers from around the world - including Caribana - will take part in this spectacular opening to the most important Chinese festival of the year as East meets West on the magnificent Hong Kong waterfront. Visit www.Discover HongKong.com/Canada for more information. After the fete comes the feast. Traditional New Year foods play an important role. Almost every dish carries a symbolic meaning, with names that sound like Chinese characters for good fortune, happiness, longevity and prosperity. Tangerines and oranges are given as gifts because their Chinese names sound like 'gold' and 'wealth'. Discerning travellers believe this is the best time to visit Hong Kong. Festive events and fine dining are at their peak and the shopping is as great as ever! Feast your eyes, your soul and your appetite at Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. - News Canada