Catholic Schools Stand Firm in Commemorating EDSA Revolution
‘We will continue to keep the spirit of EDSA alive despite active efforts to undermine it,’ says a group of Catholic schools
Philippine Catholic Schools Declare Non-Working Day for EDSA Anniversary
MANILA, Philippines — Top Catholic schools in the Philippines have declared a non-working day on February 25, marking the 39th anniversary of the historic 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. This decision came despite the Marcos government’s move to reclassify the day as a special working day.
University of Santo Tomas Takes a Stand
The Dominican-run University of Santo Tomas (UST), one of the country’s premier institutions, announced a non-working day on February 25 via a memo issued on February 14. According to UST Secretary-General Father Louie Coronel, “Let us stand united and never forget that true power lies in the collective will of the people, and it is our responsibility to uphold the values of integrity, justice, and freedom for generations to come.”
EDSOR Consortium Joins in Solidarity
On February 17, Catholic schools along EDSA-Ortigas, collectively known as the EDSOR Consortium, agreed to observe February 25 as a non-working holiday, despite the government’s downgrading of the event.
The EDSOR Consortium includes:
- Immaculate Conception Academy (Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception)
- La Salle Green Hills (De La Salle Brothers)
- Saint Pedro Poveda College (Teresian Association)
- Xavier School (Jesuits)
In their statement, the EDSOR Consortium declared, “We will continue to keep the spirit of EDSA alive despite active efforts to undermine it.”
De La Salle Philippines Endorses the Spirit of EDSA
De La Salle Philippines, which operates 16 schools across the Philippines, also came out in support of commemorating the EDSA Revolution. In a Facebook post on February 17, they stated, “Despite the current administration’s declaration to downgrade February 25 to a special working holiday, we remain steadfast in upholding the Filipino people’s victory in reclaiming their rights and liberties.” The network added, “Let us resist all attempts to erase from our collective memory what our nation achieved in February 1986.”
As events continue to unfold, more schools may declare their own non-working days to honor the 1986 uprising.
The Marcos Administration’s Approach to EDSA
The celebration of the 1986 uprising, which brought down dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, has faced diminished attention under the current administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in 2022.
In 2023, Marcos shifted the EDSA non-working day to February 24, asserting “holiday economics” as the reason. For 2024, he opted not to declare it a special non-working day due to the date falling on a Sunday.
These changes have been met with criticism, especially from those who view the EDSA Revolution as a pivotal moment in Philippine history.
The Role of the Catholic Church in the EDSA Revolution
The Catholic Church played a crucial role during the 1986 uprising. Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin issued a call to Catholics to assemble on EDSA to protect rebel soldiers against the Marcos regime. This mass gathering, from February 22 to 25, 1986, was marked by non-violence, with attendees holding flowers, rosaries, and images of the Virgin Mary.
Following Marcos’s ousting, Corazon Aquino, widow of slain opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. and a devout Catholic, became the new president.
Decades of Historical Revisionism
Decades of historical revisionism and political maneuvering eventually led to the Marcos family’s return to political power. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. secured victory in the 2022 presidential election, with significant political opposition from Catholic bishops and priests, who endorsed then-vice president Leni Robredo.
Since reclaiming the presidency in 2022, critics have made concerted efforts to commemorate the EDSA Revolution. In 2024, they organized more events to mark the 1986 revolt and called for legislation to make the EDSA anniversary a statutory holiday.
Conclusion
The actions of these Catholic schools underscore their commitment to preserving the memory of the EDSA People Power Revolution and the values it embodies. Despite attempts by the current administration to diminish the significance of this historic event, organizations like the EDSOR Consortium and De La Salle Philippines are ensuring that the spirit of EDSA remains alive in the minds of Filipinos.
To stay informed on developments related to the commemoration of the EDSA Revolution and other significant events, subscribe to our updates. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
