Yesterday’s commemoration of the 1986 People Power Revolution felt subdued, a far cry from the fervor that once defined its anniversaries. Even when February 25 in previous years had been declared a non-working holiday, it was obvious that the EDSA spirit has lost its luster over the years.
What was once a shining beacon of unity and defiance against one-man-rule now seems like a distant, fading memory. For a brief moment in history, the world stood in awe as Filipinos yearning for freedom toppled a regime without bloodshed. Yet nearly four decades later, many ask: What have we truly gained?
The triumph of EDSA in 1986 was greatly expected to be the dawn of a new era—of democracy, progress, and prosperity. But for millions of Filipinos still trapped in poverty, corruption, and systemic inequality, that promise remains unfulfilled. The hope that a rising tide of prosperity would lift all boats has instead left many struggling to stay afloat. While the economy has grown, the gap between rich and poor remains glaring.
In 2024, Forbes reported that the combined wealth of the 50 richest families in the Philippines had reached $80.8 billion—an increase from around $72 billion two years prior. Economic development has made the wealthy even wealthier, but such cannot be said for millions of Filipinos who toil daily just to survive.
While it is unfair to blame the rich alone—many of whom have made significant contributions to philanthropy, public health, and education—the broader reality remains unchanged: Opportunity remains concentrated in the hands of the few, while millions continue to be left behind.
Many feel the biggest betrayal of the EDSA legacy is the unchanged system. The ousting of a regime did not dismantle the deeply entrenched structures of power that allow political dynasties, big landlords, and economic oligarchs to maintain their grip on the country. Many now see the peaceful revolution not as a genuine transfer of power to the people, but as mere “changing of the guards”—one ruling faction replacing another, riding on the wave of anti-dictatorship sentiment.
This has led to provocative questions: Did EDSA go far enough? Some even wonder if a more radical, even violent upheaval—akin to the French Revolution or the U.S. Civil War—would have been a more decisive reckoning. Would the horror of a bloody revolution have shocked Philippine society into enacting real reforms? Would it have destroyed the oligarchic control over politics and the economy, forcing the nation to rebuild on a foundation of equality and justice?
Of course, history has shown that revolutions fueled by violence often descend into chaos and authoritarianism. But the frustration behind these questions is real. After all, what good is democracy if it does not improve the lives of the people?
Yet, despite the disappointments, EDSA was not a total failure. It succeeded in its immediate goal—restoring democracy. The real tragedy is that the momentum of that victory was wasted. Instead of building a nation defined by competence, integrity, and inclusive growth, Philippine politics fell back into the familiar cycle of mediocrity, corruption, and patronage.
The past decades have been marked by economic policies that favor the elite, governance that serves personal interests over public welfare, and a political landscape dominated by family dynasties despite a supposedly constitutional ban on such.
Many have hopelessly relied on the flawed notion of trickle-down economics—the belief that wealth generated at the top will naturally benefit those at the bottom. But as Pope Francis bluntly put it in Evangelii Gaudium: “The promise was that when the glass was full, it would overflow, benefitting the poor. But what happens instead is that when the glass is full, it magically gets bigger; nothing ever comes out for the poor.”
While many of those who stood at EDSA in 1986 have passed on, the responsibility of carrying forward its ideals now falls on today’s youth. Those who were not yet born in 1986 are uniquely positioned to demand and drive change. As the largest voting bloc in the country, young Filipinos have the numbers to elect leaders who are competent, compassionate, and committed to genuine reforms.
With the power of digital technology, they also have an unprecedented ability to mobilize, educate, and influence. Social media has shown its potential to spark movements, expose corruption, and challenge the status quo. But activism cannot end in hashtags and online debates—it must translate into real action, civic engagement, and political participation.
Throughout history, young people have been at the forefront of social and political change. In many developed nations, progress has come not from the goodwill of those in power, but from the relentless pressure of an informed and active citizenry. The youth must take inspiration from this and recognize that they have the power to reshape the Philippines.
If we truly wish to honor the spirit of EDSA, we must abandon the complacency of waiting for economic progress to trickle down and instead actively work toward policies that uplift the poor, dismantle monopolies, and demand greater accountability from those in power.
Email: [email protected]
