MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - The Philippines on Saturday marked the 37th anniversary of the People Power Revolution that ended the two-decade rule of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., father and namesake of the incumbent leader.

A commemorative event was held in the morning at the EDSA People Power Monument along EDSA corner White Plains in Quezon City, with the theme, “EDSA 2023: Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Kapayapaan at Pagbangon.”

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The celebration was led by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in coordination with the Spirit of EDSA Foundation (SOEF), Quezon City Government, and other groups and government agencies.

Among the officials present were Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, NHCP chair Rene Escalante and Christopher Carrion of the SOEF.

According to the NHCP, a holy mass will be offered at 10 a.m. at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace at the EDSA Shrine.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said in a statement that he is "one with the nation in remembering those times of tribulation and how we came out of them united and stronger as a nation."

It is the first time the Philippines is commemorating the EDSA Revolution under a Marcos presidency following the election last year of the younger Marcos.

Marcos Jr. referred to that "time in our history" as one "that divided the Filipino people."

"I once again offer my hand of reconciliation to those with different political persuasions to come together as one in forging a better society - one that will pursue progress and peace and a better life for all Filipinos," he said.

The president has initially declared Saturday, Feb. 25, as a special non-working day, but moved it a day earlier.

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According to his latest proclamation, “The celebration of EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary may be moved from February 25 to 24 provided the historical significance of the EDSA People Power Revolution is maintained.”

On the eve of the People Power anniversary, Marcos Jr. was in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte for the Tan-ok ni Ilocano: Festival of Festivals. He was not present at the People Power Monument on Saturday but he sent a wreath for the occasion.

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Marcos, Jr., who will serve until 2028, had previously defended his father's imposition of Martial Law from 1972 until 1981.

REMEMBERING THE FILIPINO PEOPLE'S HEROISM

The Feb. 25, 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution was the culmination of protests against the administration of Marcos Sr. that was marred by corruption and human rights violation during the Martial Law imposition from 1972. "It showcased to the world the remarkable resolve of the Filipino people" and "heralded an era of peace," according to the Official Gazette, the country's official journal.

The peaceful revolt installed Corazon "Cory" Aquino, widow of the assassinated Marcos political nemesis Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., into the presidency. She would later be hailed as an icon of democracy.

"Today, we remember the heroism of the Filipino people who fought to end the Marcos dictatorship, thus restoring democracy in our country," the Aquino family said in a statement.

"The EDSA People Power Revolution showed the world that it was possible for a courageous and truly unified people to reclaim the freedom that a dictatorship had denied them. We believe that the indomitable spirit exemplified by one Filipino nation 37 years ago remains alive to this very day," they added.

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"It is the same spirit that guards and protects our democracy, confronting those who attempt to deceive us and undermine our rights and liberties."

The family asserted the spirt of EDSA is undoubtedly alive, and said, "Nakikiisa tayo sa lahat ng mga tumututol sa pagbalik ng diktadurya at sa parerebisa sa ating nagkakaisang alala."

"Nakikiisa tayo sa lahat ng naglilingkod para sa isang mas maginhawa at may malayang bukas para sa ating bansa. Nakikiisa tayo sa lahat ng kumikilos para isabuhay ang diwa ng EDSA," they said in the statement released on the Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation Facebook page.

The official program at the People Power Monument concluded with the playing of a medley of “Isang Lahi” and “Magkaisa”, performed by musical artists Edwin Cando and Harietta Aragoncillo.

About 6 in 10 Filipinos believe the spirit of the EDSA Revolution is alive, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Thursday.

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PROTEST ACTION

Members of the Southern Tagalog Movement Against Tyranny held a Mass and then rally at Philcoa, Quezon City to mark the People Power anniversary before marching to EDSA Shrine.

They recalled the dark days under Martial Law and took the opportunity to ask Marcos Jr. to address the country's economic woes as they complain against the rising inflation and the president's foreign trips.

They criticized the daily wage in Calabarzon and Mimaropa, which, according to them, stood at P327-P435 and P329, respectively.

“Yung kilos protesta, yung alay-lakad ng mga katutubo para po sa paglaban sa Kaliwa Dam, kasama rin po iyon sa mga panawagan ng ating delgasyon ngayon," Berto Alinea of the Southern Tagalog Movement Against Tyranny said at the event.

"Bukod po sa Kaliwa Dam, nandiyan din po yung Ahunan project dam sa Pakil na mariin pong tinututulan ng mga Lagunense. Ilan lang po ito sa mga proyketo o infrastructure project na hindi nakakatulong sa mga mamayan," Alinea added.

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- with report from Champ de Lunas, ABS-CBN News