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Edsa is a street symbolic of something great for Filipinos.
The Edsa revolution of1986 did not happen because Juan Ponce Enrile
and Fidel Ramos, together with the members of Reform the Armed Forces
Movement (RAM), rebelled against their Commander-in-Chief, Ferdinand
Edralin Marcos. Neither did "Edsa" occur because Jaime Cardinal Sin
summoned the Filipino people to go out and gather at Edsa.
Nobody among the living then, including Cory Aquino and the people who
flocked to Edsa, can take credit for the miracle. No, it was not
"people power." It was God's power manifested and bestowed upon the
oppressed/abused citizenry and exploited/used country.
However, if there is one person worth honoring every time we
commemorate "Edsa," it is Ninoy Aquino. "... Render honor to whom
honor is due." - Romans 13:7. It was Ninoy's selflessness as a public
servant and his death/martyrdom three years prior to that
momentous1986 resurrection for Filipinos that is the root of "Edsa" -
in the same manner as Jesus Christ rose from the dead after being in
the tomb for three days as a crucified/dead Son of God - to save the
world from thereon.
"Edsa" commenced the very moment Ninoy was assassinated on the tarmac
of Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983. The whole nation
stopped and grieved, got awakened and stirred. Millions of Filipinos
joined the funeral procession for the fallen hero - in the streets,
everywhere, and on TV and radio. There was massive groaning. "Edsa"
was just the culmination.
Our liberation from the Spaniards is no different. It was a result of
the heroism of Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora (Gomburza) and the
gallantry, sacrifices and patriotism of Gomburza-inspired Jose Rizal,
Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, together with my great, great
grandfather, Pio Valenzuela, and a host of other Filipino heroes
(excluding killer Aguinaldo) two decades later during the 19th
century.
The way to commemorate and celebrate "Edsa" is to hail Benigno "Ninoy"
Simeon Aquino Jr., not any rebellious opportunists and those who've
taken advantage of the miracle; those abusive and corrupt that have
occupied positions of power in the government after the deposed
president/dictator fled Malacanang - until now.
Politics aside, if Marcos Jr. will do right as President of our
country now, he can well be a part (a good part) of the continuing
"Edsa" revolution - to make Ninoy's dream come true - for all of us.
P.S.
BBM did it right in declaring February 24 as a special non-working
holiday in solemn and somber remembrance of the great 1986 Edsa
Revolution. It is an act big and admirable of him.
renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.co
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