Commemorating the Spirit of EDSA, 1986 (HE Memo#Y3.09)

HE Memo#Y3.09
19 February 2025

The EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 was a momentous declaration of the capacity of Filipinos for peaceful reform, courage and perseverance, and the generosity of heart to serve the common good.

Never forget! Ateneo remembers!

This year, the Ateneo de Manila University community commemorates the 39th year of EDSA 1986 People Power by facilitating 25 different activities, hosted by various sectors in the community and spread out from 12 February to 26 March [see memo of the VP for Mission Integration]. 

These paced activities have been carefully prepared (a) to allow unhurried reflection on the significance of EDSA 1986 as a historical-political-socio-cultural event, (b) to foster recognition of meanings that the memories of that event bring to our lives today, and (c) to let ourselves be touched with pride by the heroism of our people so that we will constantly be inspired to be brave to stand for what is just especially in the midst of adversity that impinges on our humanity.

These paced activities have been carefully prepared (a) to allow unhurried reflection on the significance of EDSA 1986 as a historical-political-socio-cultural event, (b) to foster recognition of meanings that the memories of that event bring to our lives today, and (c) to let ourselves be touched with pride by the heroism of our people so that we will constantly be inspired to be brave to stand for what is just especially in the midst of adversity that impinges on our humanity.

Eucharistic Celebration

In 1986, the church was a major catalyst for the People Power Revolution.  The praying of the Holy Rosary as well as the Holy Mass were focal points of trust in a transcendent God that people firmly believed was the solid force of mercy and justice that could see them through the barricades that imprisoned freedom and peace.  

On 25 February 2025, the Ateneo Higher Education community will join the entire university in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Church of the Gesu to commemorate with deep faith the blessings of EDSA People Power 1986.  This mass is also a vote of hope for peace and true freedom that we all long for. It is going to be preceded by a procession and the recitation of the Rosary.

UNIVERSITY MASS

25 Feb 2025 | 12:30 PM | Church of the Gesù
Main Celebrant and Homilist: Fr. Roberto Exequiel N. Rivera, S.J.
*Procession and Recitation of the Rosary will begin at the College Chapel at 12NN

Class arrangements

On this day, we on the Loyola Campus (SOH, JGSOM, GBSEALD, SOSE, SOSS) shall relax the conduct of onsite classes from 12.00 Noon to 2 PM to allow students and faculty to join us in the Procession, the Rosary, and the Eucharistic Celebration.  Guidelines on this matter may be provided by the deans at the school level. The deans in ALS, ASMPH, AGSB, and ASOG will make the appropriate announcement to their respective communities. Upon the permission of HR, employees in the offices may also pause from work at the same time to join in these same activities.

We remember. We celebrate. We believe.

True to our core values as Ateneans, we treat with thoughtful reflection, genuine conviction, and utmost care the milestones that we have been gifted with in our lives and in our society. Let’s honor and value the memory of EDSA 1986 by coming together as a community in the many activities that have been prepared for this year’s commemoration.  May we learn our lessons from EDSA 1986 with courage, hope, pride, and dignity.