The Philippines.February 1986.
The larger picture:
What is People Power? In my own words, it was a non-violent movement
of Filipinos putting their lives at stake and thereby achieving two things:
1) The prevention of violence breaking out between the divided Armed Forces
of the Philippines (A.F.P.),
2) The stepping-down from power by Ferdinand Marcos as he conceded that
he had indeed lost the Presidential elections to Cory Aquino.
Events and actions:
Schools and universities around the country were closed for a week because
the presidential elections were being held. It was Ferdinand Marcos, president
of over 20 years vs Corazon Aquino, the incumbent, widow of an assasinated
political rival.
All throughout the Philippines, many filipino people were fed up with Marcos'
"fixed" elections over the decades, so to ensure an honest outcome,
hundreds of people gathered round ballot boxes, protecting them with
their bodies and their lives, while national and international press
took witness. This was the beginnings
of people power. (See e-mail comments of E. Kulp about Governer Louie
Villafuerte)
The foreboding of violent change was in the air.
Many were worried that violence would break out in protest to any result
of the elections: If Marcos won, would the communists go up in arms? If
Aquino won, would Marcos send out his army and his henchmen to quell the
"rebels" and keep himself in power?
Would martial law be declared again? Or would there be an all out outbreak
of civil war?
All of the above were grim possibilites.
For many, Corazon Aquino was a glimmer of hope. She could be the instrument
of peaceful change.
so, i along with hundreds of thousands and then millions of other civilians
found myself in the streets of Manila . . .
...standing between soldiers so that they wouldn't fire at each
other
...taking cover from machine guns that were fired from a helicopter above
us
...pumping my hands in the air while I signed "L" and shouted
"Laban!" and hoped for CHANGE.
. . . the country was in an uproar over the elections
. . . our fellow filipinos were in danger for their lives
. . . we had to do SOMETHING to stop the impending violence!
And in cities all around the Philippines, people weren't just voting. They there were taking to the streets by foot and by car and chanting "Laban!" and "Cory!" in there call for the change of presidency. People were surrounding ballot boxes with their lives. These crowds were made up of poor and rich alike. This unity was an amazing thing, a once-in-a-filipino's lifetime occurence. It was all leading up to the final days of filipino People Power.
See my personal story, starting from Bacolod City.
Since April 1996, this website has evolved from
"I Remember People Power. . ."
to
"WE Remember People Power:
1986 Philippines."
I've gotten a bunch of responses!
But, I would like more!
If you have a personal story to tell,
in either Filipino or English, in one or more sentences,
about what you did or remember during this great event
and would like to post it here,
please START WRITING and e-mail it to me.
If you have anything else to share or have any comments
or a related URL that I can add to this website
please e-mail me - - -
I reserve the right to publish or not publish what you send to me.
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