LIST: Events, activities on 40th EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary

MANILA, Philippines – Forty years since the historic 1986 uprising, the spirit of People Power is being reclaimed not as a mere memory, but as an active, evolving force for change.

In commemoration of the revolution, two major rallies will take place in Metro Manila on Wednesday, February 25, to also call for accountability amid the flood control corruption scandal.

Buhay ang People Power (BAPP) network, along with church groups, will lead the third installment of the Trillion Peso March at the People Power Monument on Wednesday. 

The EDSA40 network, including Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot and the Duterte Panagutin Network, will gather at Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA to speak up against corruption.

Groups joining the rallies will link the revolution’s legacy to modern demands for reform, targeting political dynasties and the public infrastructure scandal.

Across the Philippines, several events and activities are being held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. Here is a running list of events:

Events, forums, discussions

• Cebu City | The Concerned Artists of the Philippines’ “Pahinumdum/Pakigbisig,” a commemorative poster exhibit reflecting EDSA, will run until February 28 at the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum.
• Online | UCLA Asian American Studies Department will hold an online event on February 24, 4 pm, where speakers will share stories and poetry on the history of the revolution and the ongoing strength of people power. The event is open to the public. Interested participants can register here.
• Online | Samahan ng Ugnayan para sa Likas Yaman at Pamanang-bayan will hold an online forum, “EDSA 40: From People Power to Digital Power – Reclaiming Democracy in the Age of Disinformation,” on February 24, 2 pm – 5 pm via Zoom.
• Quezon City | Caritas Philippines will launch the return of the youth debate show “YSpeak” at ETON Centris, Quezon City, on February 25. The event will also feature a free outdoor concert with Ben&Ben and other artists. Entrance is open to the public.

Mobilization, protests, mass

• Cebu | SuPaKK 2.0 (Sugboanong Pakigbisog Kontra Korapsyon), a prayer-centered anti-corruption initiative of the Archdiocese of Cebu, will start with a Holy Mass at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu – Pilgrim Center on February 25, 2 pm, before marching to Plaza Independencia for the Yukbo Concert. Attendees are encouraged to wear a white shirt, wristband, or headband for unity and peace.
• Iloilo City | As a continuation of their September 21 and November 30 protests, the Kahublagan Kontra Kurapsyon calls on Ilonggos to wear white and join their march for accountability from the Iloilo Provincial Capitol to St. Clement’s Church on February 25. 
• Melbourne, Australia | Anakbayan Melbourne is holding a commemorative anti-corruption protest in commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution at Fed Square, Melbourne, on February 25, 6 pm.

School activities

• Manila | Adamson University is holding a series of activities, including Holy Masses, screenings, exhibits, candle lightings, and a noise barrage from February 20 to March 6 within their campus vicinity. The university is also encouraging their community to participate in the Tayo ang People Power gatherings held at EDSA People Power Monument.
• Davao | Ateneo de Davao has lined up a series of activities from an EDSA photo exhibit, film-viewing activity to a dialogue between a Martial Law survivor and a student from February 16 to 25. For the full list of activities, check this out.
• Quezon City | Ateneo de Manila University will hold a university mass on February 24, 10:30 am, at the Blue Eagle Gym. Attendees are also invited to gather in front of the Church of the Gesù at 9:30 am for a procession.
• Laguna | Mapúa Malayan College held EDSA @ 40: Paninindigan, Pananampalataya, at Pag-Asa on February 23 at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium. It featured student performances and talks by school officials and faculty members, with the aim to promote historical awareness, democratic values, and civic engagement.
• Quezon City | The UP Diliman Student Council, together with over a hundred student organizations, will hold different activities that aim to encourage civic participation on February 24. Among these activities are talks on student activism and digital safety, as well as online webinars on how to probe public records to spot corruption. Check this out for the list of activities.
• Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija | Araullo University will hold a lineup of activities, “EDSA 40: Pag-asa, Pagkakaisa, Paglaya,” from February 24 to 25. One of its activities is a screening of the documentary film 11,103 on February 24. Meanwhile, freedom walk, human formation, and chalk art activities will be held in various parts of the campus on February 25.
• Quezon City | The UP College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) will facilitate a discussion on the situation of the country on February 27, 9 am to 12 pm, at the Seminar Room, UP CSWCD Building. Walk-ins are welcome. Interested participants must register here.

Do you know of other events and activities commemorating the 40th EDSA People Power anniversary? Send it to the Volunteer Opportunities chat room of the Rappler app. – with reports from Gabie Torre and Valerie Ferido/Rappler.com

Gabie Torre is a Rappler volunteer taking up Bachelor of Science in Community Development at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Currently, she is a member of UP SUPER, an advocacy student organization in UP Diliman that supports persons with disability, and an active volunteer for Greenpeace PH.

Valerie Ferido is a Rappler volunteer taking a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the Far Eastern University-Manila. She is a senior staff writer for FEU Advocate’s literary section. Valerie is also a mental health advocate and storyteller passionate about narratives that humanize social issues.