University Commemoration of EDSA@39: Calendar of Events

We commemorate the 39th anniversary of the historic four days of the non-violent EDSA People Power Revolution that ousted the brutal, corrupt, and bankrupt Marcos dictatorship on the 25th of February 1986.

The EDSA uprising in significant ways was a spontaneous mobilization of individuals and groups, many of whom came together as schoolmates, officemates, friends and family members, responding to a personal appeal from Jaime Cardinal Sin over Radio Veritas. But the readiness to give of oneself in the face of guns, tanks, and helicopters, was also underpinned by a longer process of formation and engagement in schools, organizations, communities, and the so-called “parliament of the streets” of the 1970s and 1980s. Such experiences instilled a deep value for human dignity, people empowerment, and the promotion of the common good. For many participants, EDSA was a response to the call of a faith that does justice and inspires generous service. As the late Fr Catalino Arevalo, SJ has said, EDSA was about “disclosure stories” – stories of people responding to what God and country were asking of them – and in turn moving others to respond.

Almost four decades later, EDSA lives on, not just because the restoration of democracy was a genuine popular achievement, but also because it remains unfinished. The persistence of weak and unresponsive institutions and continuing widespread poverty, injustice, and vulnerability, have fueled deep resentment and an attraction to self-serving and authoritarian political personalities who seem to connect with the people and deliver results. But we will fight against attempts to distort history and delude us.  We commemorate the EDSA revolution even as we resolve to build a broader constituency for genuine democratization and public accountability with our people who fervently hope for a better Philippines.

Our theme for EDSA@39 is: Sama-samang Pagtataya, Simula ng Panibagong Pag-asa.

We commemorate EDSA in the spirit of the Jubilee Year 2025 which sees hope as both a gift and a task. Then as now, our country and the world faced abuse of power, violence, injustices, and polarization. But many of our people responded not with despair but with stirring examples of self-giving that created spaces of hope through collective action. 

These stories of personal calling, painstaking work, selfless service, and courageous commitment converged in a historic moment when our nation overcame differences and emerged victorious against dictatorship – profoundly witnessing the gift of a saving God who is immersed in our lives and moving in history. This call to shared responsibility, commitment, and faith toward renewed hope in our liberation as a people is as real today as it was in the 1970s-1980s.

In the next several days, we would like to invite all members of the Ateneo community to participate in these commemorative activities and events in the University.

EDSA@39 Calendar of Events

"Sama-samang Pagtataya, Simula ng Panibagong Pag-asa"

#AteneoRemembers #BuhayAngPeoplePower