May Espiritu Pa Ba Ang Edsa?

EDSA celebration is here to stay.

EDSA has been at the center of upheavals and leadership changes since its occurrence in 1986. But the true meaning of change comes from the heart of the people and their awareness to participate in any mass action needing their expression and resolve to contest abuses of the powers that be.

“Never again, not anymore…” or any other expression of similar import manifesting dissatisfaction is actually performing an act contemplated by people who make EDSA the symbol of freedom. Enlivening its spirit even in the modern days of social network, the overwhelming corruption allegations and intermingling of leaders whose true color has remained unclear and hazy because of their failure to categorically condemn PDAF as a tool of corruption, add up to the chaos faced by the modern day heroes and heroines and the young ones who spend most of their precious time in social networks.

In Cebu, as we celebrate the EDSA celebration in its 28th year anniversary, we cannot help but remember with pride the memory of Inday Nita Cortes-Daluz who is already sacredly enshrined in the hearts of freedom-loving Cebuanos as the heroic leader who showed uncompromising stand against the Marcos dictatorship. She will be remembered alongside the equally popular and fierce opponent of the martial law regime, the eloquent Talyux Bacalso who was known for his fearless and hard-hitting commentaries in radio broadcast against the abuses committed during the martial law era.

EDSA spirit occupies a good space in our history books but we have yet to see the finest example as to which side in us has ever changed. Is it the emotional side? Is it our sense of nationalism? Is it our passivity of just allowing corrupt politicians to pursue their anomalous ways with impunity? Have we grown accustomed to being abused because we have realized that everything is only an exercise in futility?

EDSA celebration is here to stay.