‘EDSA’ spirit endures as memory fades among PH youth

While political awareness remains strong among Filipino youth, the legacy and understanding of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution appear to be fading for many in Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

Many of today’s young people rely on textbooks and secondhand accounts to learn about the historic uprising, which toppled the Marcos dictatorship and ushered in democracy.

According to a “24 Oras” special report by Mav Gonzales on Wednesday, the oldest members of Gen Z—those born in 1997—came into the world more than a decade after the revolution and learn about the historic event primarily through word of mouth and textbooks.

“Naalala ko, itinuro sa akin ang EDSA nung Grade 6. Doon ko unang nalaman ang EDSA kasi 'di rin naikwento ng mga magulang ko," shared 18-year-old Angel Cruz of Kaya Natin Youth.

(I remember when EDSA was taught to me in Grade 6. That was the first time I learned about it, since my parents didn’t tell me.)

"Alam ko lang na nagkaroon ng People Power dahil sa martial law, yung patuloy na paggigipit ng gobyerno,” she said.

(All I knew was that People Power happened because of martial law and the government’s continuous oppression.)

Ferdinand Sanchez II, 26, recalled how his understanding of history changed in high school, after seeing Marcos-era projects during his childhood years.

“Lumaki ako na nakikita ko mga proyekto na ginawa nila Marcos noon. Pero nung high school ko sa Manila Science, ikinwento ang mga desaparecidos at alumni na ipinaglaban ang karapatan nila," he said.

(I grew up seeing the projects done by Marcos. But when I got to high school at Manila Science, they told us about the disappeared and alumni fighting for their rights.)

"Dun ako namulat na iba pala yung kasaysayan (That was when I realized history was different)," he said.

According to a 2023 Social Weather Stations survey, 41% of Filipinos believe the spirit of EDSA People Power is "somewhat alive," while 22% think it is "fully alive."

Meanwhile, 21% say EDSA is "somewhat dead," and 17% believe it is "already dead."

When asked whether the promises of the 1986 protest were delivered, 47% of respondents said only some promises were fulfilled, while 28% said barely any were achieved.

Nineteen percent believed most promises were kept, and 5% said all were fulfilled.

Aira Badajos of Kaya Natin Youth lamented that Filipinos’ forgiving nature has allowed many of the wrongs that the EDSA People Power sought to overcome to persist.

“As Filipinos, we always give chances to others until we forget about it… We forgive, yes, but the lessons should remain lessons for the future,” she said.

The Youth and the People Power Kickoff Concert

During Saturday's free concert at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, it was notable that a significant number of Gen Z and Gen Alpha attendees said they did not know the purpose of the concert.

However, others from the same generations participated with an understanding of its message, echoing the 1986 call against corruption amid the recent flood control controversy.

Performer Ogie Alcasid beamed with hope seeing an audience made up of mostly young people singing with him during rehearsals.

“I’m happy that they are interested. When I rehearsed ‘Handog ng Pilipino’, they knew it. They give importance to this day regardless of what they believe or who their future president will be," he said.

"If that is the attitude of the youth, then the Philippines has hope,” Alcasid added.

Kiko Aquino Dee, a scion of the Aquino family and convenor of the anti-corruption movement Trillion Peso March, warned that the corrupt practices and human rights abuses fought during the Marcos dictatorship are resurfacing.

“Many of the demons fought and driven away during the Marcos dictatorship—corruption, human rights violations—are returning today. There is a new urgency to remember and renew our fight against corruption,” Dee said.

The Challenge of Social Media

Unlike in 1986, today’s youth must contend with the pervasive spread of misinformation on social media, and political sociologists warn that many Filipinos remain highly susceptible to fake news.

“We studied TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for months. It’s harder because even Gen Z can be easily misled by videos… Filipinos, I’m sorry to say, can be easily manipulated by news—misinformation and disinformation,” said political sociologist Shannen Liz Carreon.

Authorities are encouraging a deeper integration of the history of the People Power Movement into school curricula.

“In Catholic schools, we do this through film viewings on February 25. If we rely solely on textbooks, publishers avoid contentious issues since other private schools may not buy them," said Fr. Wilmer Tria vice president and Region V trustee of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP).

"The lessons are often brushed over without depth,” he added.

Despite these challenges, Dee said there is reason for hope, noting that the spirit of standing up against injustice remains alive among younger generations.

“I don’t know if the words ‘EDSA’ or ‘People Power’ still resonate with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. But last September 21, college students joined a movement… The spirit is still alive,” Dee said.—Jiselle Ann Casucian/MCG, GMA Integrated News