Senator Bam Aquino revisits the lessons of history as the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution approaches. He emphasized that the struggle for true change is an “unfinished revolution” where the roles of the youth and the media served as the spark of freedom and a challenge for the new generation.
Sen. Aquino views EDSA People Power not just as a celebration but a dream started in 1986 that have not yet been fully realized, especially the fight against corruption. He suggests that the next generation possesses the fresh energy and perspective required to tackle modern iterations of old problems.
“A lot of the things na pinaglaban hindi pa natinnakamit. So rather than thinking of it as a failed revolution, I think about it as an unfinished revolution. Hindi pa siya tapos at kailangan pa siyang tapusin ‘ ba. And maybe it’s the kids who grew up during that time like many of us. Tayo siguro yung tatapos. bakayung mga magulang natin hanggang dito lang talagakaya nila eh. they just were able to start it out. Pero yung magtatapos nito maybe it’s really that next generation,” he said.
Sen. Aquino also recounted the crucial role of the media, specifically “Radyo Bandido,” which became the voice of the people when Radio Veritas was bombed and silenced. Behind this underground media station, teenagers served as the backbone of the operation.
In an era of historical revisionism and digital misinformation, the role of media and collective storytelling becomes a vital tool for this “unfinished” work. Sen. Aquino highlighted that the core of People Power wasn’t just about politics, but about a selfless unity that the media must help the public remember.
“They were controlling media, syempre, wala ka ng source of information. Yung 24 to 48 hours na iyon that Radyo Bandido was up was so crucial. Now yung interesting thing diyanwas yyung nagpatakbo nung radio station was Father Reuter’s theater group. Me including people like Gabe Mercado and his brother Paulo Mercado. Yeah. So they were I think 11 and 12. So mga teenagers yungnagpapatakbo ng radio station with June Keithley as the anchor,” he added.
Sen. Aquino also reminded the Filipinos that the success of EDSA was not because of politicians but because of the unity of ordinary citizens and the “unfinished” nature of a peaceful revolution means that the fight against corruption and the pursuit of genuine reform are not just historical footnote but active duties for today’s citizens.
“Ito yung mga personalities ‘ba… Pero having witnessed it, pangalawa lang sila doun sa tao during those days of people power. It’s good to remember na may panahong nagkaisayung taong bayan, nagkatapang yung taong bayan, may ginusto tayo para sa bansa natin more than our individual selves yung pinaglaban natin noon, pinaglalaban pa rin ngayon. Hindi pwedengpakawalan,” he said.
As part of the commemoration, a major kickoff event will be held this coming February 21 at the Quezon Memorial Circle. The “PEOPLE POWER 40 sa QC Kickoff Concert: Awit at Aksyon kontra Korapsyon” to serve as a reminder that the people’s struggle continues to this day.
Along with the 40th commemoration of EDSA People Power 1, various commemorative events will also be held across different locations in Visayas and Mindanao.
