The spirit of Edsa People Power lives on in the youth

The commemoration of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution this year was quite tepid and muted, saved for the nationalism and idealism that is very much alive among the youth and students in schools that declared the 25th of Feb. as a day to STILL celebrate a bloodless revolution. A palpable show of force and societal involvement while they conducted peaceful marches/parades in different parts of the country. Progressive groups, as expected, held commemorative assemblies and marches going to Edsa Shrine and the People Power monument.

As I watched live streams of the celebrations of the 39th anniversary of Edsa 1 via YouTube, scenes of students who walked out of their classes en masse to protest their school’s decision to hold regular classes, made me a bit emotional and proud. I thought to myself that the spirit of the 1986 People Power Revolution is very much alive among the youth of that particular state university. The protesters there were proof that one does not have to be physically present or born in that era. Patriotism, respecting a nation’s history transcends time, generations even. It made me smile and hopeful that indeed, the Filipino is worth dying for. Either literally or figuratively.

I was in grade school when the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and his family fled to Hawaii to seek refuge amid people’s discontent. As I grew older and took part in some “walkathons” during my college and post-graduate studies days, the students, that particular segment of today’s Gen Z, resuscitated my patriotic heart.

Idealism, recklessness even, boldness, and outspokenness characterize the youth. Indifference, immersion/ submersion in social media, and rebellion are also identifying features of the youth of today.

At present, our dear Philippines is besieged by impeachment issues against the sitting Vice President, the campaign season for the elections in May, remnants of the Philippine offshore gaming operators industry who have gone into hiding, government officials who seem to have amnesia when it comes to making good on their campaign promises, among other things.

WOKE.

A slang term for being aware and attentive to sociopolitical issues.