OZAMIZ CITY: BUHAY pa ba ang diwa ng EDSA people power revolution? This was the question sent in by this paper to media colleagues during last week’s 22nd anniversary of the bloodless revolt. Some of them tossed back their own thoughts into our bowl of opinions.
“Ang diwa ng EDSA ay buhay na buhay. Ito ay nasa puso nga bawat Pinoyna patuloy naghahanap nga kalayaan sa katiwalian sa gobyerno. Ang diwa na EDSA ay patuloy na buhay sa puso na mga taong nakikipaglaban sa corrupt na gobyerno,” Arn Antonette Carollo of Ronda Balita wrote PANGUIL BAY MONITOR.
“Buhay pa ang diwa ng EDSA because the voice of the people is the voice of God and God will not tolerate the works of evil people,” Jong Cadion of Mindanao Monitor replied.
“Buhay na buhay ang EDSA until now because people are empowered, they can do what they want. Democracy is felt by Filipinos everywhere unlike during the Marcos regime that rights have been violated,” Expedita Roxas of Radyo ng Bayan-Tangub City seconded.
“EDSA is very much alive. EDSA is about corruption and it will never lose its significance so long as corruption still exists. We are actually celebrating the never-ending existence of corruption,” declared Romy Macalisang of Patrol sa Kalamboan.
“Buhay pa ang EDSA. People still want change, that’s what its all about,” Rorie Fajardo of IWPR-Philippines and this paper’s former editor said.
“Para sa akin ang tunay na diwa ng EDSA ay ang pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino laban sa diktadorya upang makamit muli ang tunay na demokrasya. Ngunit itoy patay na ngayon dahil ang EDSA ay nagging simbolo ng pansariling politika upang isulong ang mga indibidwalna mga interes na siyang dahilan ng lalong pagkawatak-watak ng ating bansa,” Eugenio Lira Jr. of Mindanao Enquirer says his piece.
For DxOC station manager and KBP-MisOc chair Delia Rosal, “The very strong clamor for truth from people as indicated by different group rallies is democracy in action. That is people power very much alive.”
“Oo buhi pa ang EDSA as long as the Filipino nation unites and the the spirit of EDSA will always remain in our hearts. However, nobody should tell somebody what to do,” rejoined columnist Jerry Gervacio.
“Yes, EDSA is still alive but sad to say it is being exploited by those who are greedy for power. Today, legitimate dissent exists side by side with the demands of the political opportunists,” stated Ryan Rosauro of Inquirer-Mindanao.
“Buhay na buhay ang EDSA at lalong buhay ang mga taong gumugunita nito at pumupunta sa shrine dahil binabayaran sila nga mga politico for this cause,” Loloy Tajado also shared his observation.
“The spirit of EDSA still titilates those subversive marchers, but Juan would rather spend the day extracting the soil for food as promised to his family,” butts DxOC reporter Noel Visitacion, adding “People are just tired of using it knowing that there will still be no reforms kasi same politicians pa rin ang posibleng papalit.”
“Para nako buhay pa ang EDSA pero mamatay ni pag ang Pinoy di na manumbaling sa korapsyon sa gobyerno,” adds Crismon Llanos, publisher of Maranding News.
“Gusto lang buhayin [ng mga politico] ang [EDSA] para sa business interest nila. Wala nang iba,” Mindanao Monitor-Iligan’s Ric Clet likewise texted.
“EDSA revolution is abosolutely dead despite the fact that CBCP is calling for communal action people will never unite again even the issue was exposed by Lozada, people will not do something again like in the past,” Dante Dinglasa replied.
DxDD field reporters Jan Endrina and Marjun Villones also chipped in their messages, saying “Ang diwa ng EDSA kaniadto buhi pa sa pagkakaron patay na. Lahi dinhi sa Mindanao gumikan sa nahitabo sa kauluhan daghan ang mga bulilyaso, dili na komon sa mga tawo nga ni ani nga sitwasyon nga moapil pa sila ug rally nga mosangko pa sa EDSA, morag gisumhan na sila. Bisan ug gihandom pa nato nia karon pero para nako patay na ang EDSA.”
“Para namo EDSA spirit naa pa pero sad to say nga wala nahimo o natagamtam nato nga unsa ang pinaglaban kaniadto sa EDSA,” they added.
“Pag mahawa si Arroyo, pasabot buhay ang diwa nga EDSA,” was April Abejo of Malindang Tribune’s curt reply.
“Naghihingalo tayo! There is a need for a paradigm shift for people power and this are total political reforms and erase oligarchs in RP’s political and economic system,” Ben Serrano of Butuan City explained.
“EDSA is dead, from after Cory’s time until today. What’s alive and piling top to bottom is corruption and the undemocratic decisions,” Tito Fiel of Mindanao Monitor Dipolog desk agrees.
“I can’t even force myself to really stop and ponder what EDSA was all about then as what is playing in my mind is the EDSA now,” Jovencio Godoy Jr., NUJP president narrated.
In an email, Tuesday, Godoy said: “Talks of EDSA rallyists being paid by either camps, administration and opposition, adds up to the disenchantment and surely discredit the legitimacy of any mass actions.”
“The so called “DIWA NG EDSA,” and whatever is left of it could be breathing its last after being mangled, abused and sodomized by politicos. But don’t get me wrong. I am not that hopeless yet that one of theses days, real people with real causes propelled by the will to seek the truth and sheer nationalism, will once again fill the streets and sing the end part of the national anthem ‘Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo’ with the words really sinking into their minds.”
“The willingness to make it happen if need be for the sake of the nation and for the future of the children. I fully understand what the Filipino people are feeling today, but I am just wary of the intentions of those who are setting the stage for the unfolding events,” he added.
“Patay na ang EDSA, even the bishops now cannot make their statement in unison,” Tata Rosal of DxOC concluded. MICHAEL MEDINA