Illustration by Lea Bell Basister

You cannot rewrite what has already been written. The narrative may be altered, but the truth remains.

The Philippines has witnessed countless moments of defiance, where its people stood firm to protect their rights, their identity, and most of all, their freedom. One of the most defining of these was in 1986 when Filipinos rose to end a 20-year dictatorship. President Ferdinand Marcos, his family, and his regime were driven into exile by a movement that refused to be silenced. For years, the country suffered under oppressive rule as human rights abuses ran rampant, and the media was under tight control. But when the people took to EDSA, they made the world see the true power of a nation that refused to kneel. Flags were raised, voices echoed, and democracy was reclaimed.

The EDSA People Power Revolution was not just another event in history but more than that. It reshaped the country’s democracy and cemented February 25 as a day of remembrance, a day that honored the sacrifices of those who fought for the freedom of an entire nation.

A working holiday: A move to erase history?

For 39 years, the EDSA anniversary remained a significant holiday, a constant reminder of the people’s victory over tyranny. However, in 2023, under the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., it was removed from the list of regular holidays. In 2025, it has been further reduced to a special working holiday.

With a single decision, the sacrifices made during those fateful days are being dismissed. The blood, sweat, and tears of an entire movement are being pushed aside. But why? Is it an attempt to cover the past? To rewrite history? Will the removal of a holiday truly erase the revolution from the minds of Filipinos?

History happened; changes are futile

History is not something that can be altered by a decree. The years of Martial Law left behind more than just records—they left scars. The fear, the suffering, and the names of those who vanished will never be forgotten. The blood that once stained the streets, the voices that were silenced, and the oppression that loomed over the nation cannot be erased with the stroke of a pen.

Some argue that those years were a time of peace and progress. But was it truly peace when it came at the cost of thousands of lives? Were those years truly golden when they were paved with fear and brutality? The Revolution happened because people could no longer endure the injustices. If Martial Law had been as great as some claim, there would have been no need for millions to take to the streets, no reason for a nation to demand its leader’s exile.

The past does not simply fade because it is inconvenient to remember. The stories of those who suffered remain, etched in the memories of the survivors, the families of victims, and the journalists who risked their lives to tell the truth. No amount of historical revisionism can undo the pain of 20 years under dictatorship.

The truth lies within the people

Those who insist that the dictatorship was a golden era ignore the suffering that fueled the Revolution. If it had truly been a time of prosperity, the people would not have risen. They would not have risked their lives to stand against tanks, armed only with prayers and their belief in democracy. The truth is not found in manipulated narratives, rather it is carried by those who lived through it, those who continue to remember, and those who refuse to forget.

History is not about dates on a calendar. It is about the people who fought, the sacrifices they made, and the legacy they left behind. It lives in the universities that continue to teach the truth. It endures in the voices of those who still march to commemorate the fight for democracy.

Commemorating 39 years of freedom

History itself cannot simply be taken away, nor can it be erased from the minds of those who lived it. No matter how narratives are altered, the truth remains unchanged—etched in the memories of those who bore witness to it. The past cannot be rewritten, and no amount of revision can undo the sacrifices that shaped our nation’s democracy.

This 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution is not just about remembering the past but about recognizing its impact on the present and the future. It is a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who stood up against oppression. Their fight was not just for themselves but for the generations that followed, ensuring that freedom would not be lost again.

Column by Princess Anne Adona