Memory Hole
Do you acknowledge the bigger significance of a day in which Filipino people fought for our democracy? Would that still count as a holiday? The EDSA People Power Anniversary plays its role as one of the most significant events of our history. It represents the sacrifices, efforts, and our strengths as Filipinos that fight for our democratic freedom. Unfortunately, it has come to take note about what Proclamation №368 says that would leave the Filipinos in a state of bewilderment.
The EDSA People Power Anniversary, which the Philippines celebrates on February 25, is no longer a holiday in the year 2024, based on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (PBBM)’s Proclamation №368 released last October 2023. According to PBBM’s Proclamation №368, it enumerates the upcoming national holidays, non-working holidays, and special non-working holidays such as Black Saturday (March 30), All Souls’ Day (November 2), Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (December 8), Christmas Eve (December 24), and even the death anniversary of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aguino Jr. (August 21).
This had led some of the Filipinos in question due to how the government made an effort to remove it into the list of holidays for the year 2024. Kiko Aquino Dee, the grandson of the two ‘democracy icons’ Cory and Ninoy Aquino said, “A fire was lit under us when the holiday was canceled, which was questionable because other holidays that fell on a weekend like the Chinese New Year were recognized as a holiday.”
Malacañang explained, “There is a minimal socioeconomic impact in declaring such a day as a special non-working holiday since it coincides with the rest day for most workers/laborers.” This means that the EDSA People Power Anniversary on February 25 will fall on a Sunday which would not have much impact on the socio economic status in the country. However, Sunday holidays have not dismayed the government in the past from acknowledging them. To think of it, a Sunday would still be considered as a business day to those with shifts that fall on it. If it had been “business as usual,” this holiday that was celebrated for the past years could have made the next day a non working holiday for Monday according to holiday economics. In fact, February 25 is the day for Filipinos that should be worth remembering for democracy. It holds as a significant aspect of Filipino history, it acts as a tribute for the Filipino people that fought for our democracy and it also helps those working on shifts that fell on a Sunday.
The EDSA People Power Anniversary is a day to honor the people’s collective ability to shape the future of the country and preserve democratic values. It promotes a more expansive view of administration and an atmosphere in which public servants are answerable to and considerate of the interests and goals of the populace. Younger generations need to be taught democratic values through memories because living history lessons can be learned from recalling events like the EDSA Revolution. They should learn about the vulnerability of democratic institutions and the value of active civic engagement through recalling the past. Recognizing past errors helps to keep them from happening again and encourages Filipinos, especially the younger generation, to be on the lookout for similar dangers to democracy. With its spirit of unity and people power, the EDSA Revolution inspires the next generation to appreciate democratic ideas, embrace diversity, and actively contribute to the creation of a just and equitable society.
Moreover, this holiday could pay tribute to the Filipinos who fought for our democracy. The EDSA People Power Revolution was not only a one-shot affair that ended the 21-year dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. It was also the result of the sacrifice made by thousands of Filipinos who gave up their lives to end tyranny. To think that those Filipinos gave a lot of effort and sacrifice to achieve democracy for the country, it will be very sickening that the government would do this that takes away their tribute. This will really mean a lot for Filipinos especially those who take on watch for our democracy.
Lastly, it helps workers who have shifts on a Sunday. A Sunday can still be a workday for Filipinos who have to work on weekends and would be considered a rest day for them. Therefore, it is recommended that not just a commemoration, but also a holiday that would be giving a proper day off to weekend working Filipinos.
This issue that has been questioned can be fixed by reconsideration of counting the day as a ‘special non-working holiday’ no matter if it would still fall on a weekend. An alternative is shown that if the holiday date falls on a weekend, the day before or after the date would become a non-working holiday. If it falls on a Saturday, then a non-working holiday will be on a Friday. Moreover, if it falls on a Sunday, then a non-working holiday would be on a Monday. This was planned according to the holiday economics introduced by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The point of acknowledging a day of history is not just to take note of its events, but also to take note of the mistakes that should never happen again. The EDSA People Power Revolution brought a big significance of Filipinos fighting in order to achieve freedom from dictatorship. It comes of great importance to remind generations yet to come that we, Filipinos, should take critical decisions in not making the same mistakes that would disrupt our democracy worth fighting for. The important event reminds us that we should ‘never forget’ the dreadful past Filipinos had to suffer in that and we shall ‘never again’ experience the same mistake.
