LOOK: Celebrities, institutions commemorate 39th EDSA People Power anniversary
The EDSA spirit is alive as Filipinos commemorate the 39th anniversary of the People Power Revolution that overthrew a dictatorship.
On Feb. 25, celebrations spawned across the country as personalities, groups, and institutions alike remembered the historic peaceful revolt that ousted Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1986.
His namesake and son President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. excluded the EDSA People Power anniversary from the list of holidays for the second year in a row. Despite this, several schools have suspended classes to celebrate the historic occasion.
Like in 1986, Pinoys took to the streets anew and gathered for a ceremony, with the theme EDSA@39: Sama-samang pagsulong, Lakas ng Bayan, at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines and QC local government along with non-government organizations including Spirit of EDSA, Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, Inc., August Twenty-One Movement, Chino Roces Foundation, Project Gunita PH, and Ateneo Martial Law Museum and Library.
Adamson University, joined by its students and faculty, also held a candle-lighting ceremony. They also put yellow ribbons and banners in their institutions to mark the event.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University gathered for a mass to honor the EDSA anniversary. The St. La Salle Hall also featured a projection of the revolution, in yellow, with the words "Never again" and "Never forget."
At Ateneo de Manila University, the fountain in front of the Rizal Library was turned red to "not only remember the brutality of martial law, but also uphold historical truth and push for meaningful change under another Marcos administration," the Guidon said.
Students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila, meanwhile, staged a walkout to mark the People Power anniversary after their school didn't suspend classes on Feb. 25.
The EDSA anniversary has also become a day to voice ongoing struggles in the country as several organizations staged rallies to call attention to pressing issues.
Celebrities and personalities
On X, Jake Ejercito reposted a scene from the 2017 thriller film Smaller And Smaller Circles in which Sid Lucero, who played Father Jerome Lucero, a Jesuit priest, can be seen talking in front of students.
"Nakalimutan kasi ng marami kung gaano karaming dugo... ang dinanak ng mga mamamayan natin bago tayo umabot sa EDSA. Time and forgetfullness are the allies of the abusers," the text read on the image.
Ejercito captioned his post, "#NeverForget."
#NeverForget pic.twitter.com/K2bX55Zum3
— jake ejercito (@unoemilio) February 25, 2025
Former vice president Leni Robredo, meanwhile, had a message for public servants.
"Commemorating EDSA only once a year, without embracing its lessons in our daily lives, diminishes the sacrifices that made the revolution possible. Para sa ating mga lingkod bayan, ang uri ng ating panunungkulan ang mismong patunay kung isinasabuhay ba natin ang diwa nito," she wrote.
For her part, Senator Risa Hontiveros, said she was "immensely happy and proud" to see students, teachers, schools, universities, and youth organizations "taking the lead" in commemorating this year's EDSA People Power Revolution, even without a state holiday.
"Kaya kahit ilang holiday pa ang icancel ng Malakanyang, mananatiling buhay ang diwa at mensahe ng People Power—lalo na sa kabataang Pilipino na naninindigan at nagsasalita para sa kalayaan, hustisya at sama-samang pagasenso."
Davao City mayor Baste Duterte also released a statement saying Filipinos "must remain vigilant."
"Especially now, when the threat of authoritarian rule once again looms over our nation," he said.
Duterte is the brother of Vice President Sara Duterte, who had a falling out with Marcos Jr. He has previously taken swipes at the president, calling him "lazy" and "lacking in compassion."
Its Showtime hosts Vice Ganda, Jhong Hilario, Kim Chiu, and Vhong Navarro also reflected on the event during one segment. They also played Magkaisa, one of the iconic songs associated with the People Power Revolution of 1986, sung by Virna Lisa and composed by Tito Sotto.
"Sa mahabang panahon kasi ay napunta sa mga pinuno at ang mga pangkaraniwang tao ay nawalan ng kapangyarihan. Pero dahil sa People Power ay nabalik sa tao," Vice said.
"Nagkaroon ng kalayaan, natapos ang diktadurya, natapos ang Martial Law."
Kim also echoed this, "Nagkaisa [ang mga Pilipino]. Nagkaroon ng kapangyarihan ang bawat Pilipino."
"Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino. Mabuhay ang lahat na nakipaglaban nung araw para sa ating kalayaan," Kim continued.
Malacañang on People Power
In a press briefing, Malacañang defended Marcos Jr.'s decision to declare Feb. 25 a special working day.
"I think it is the prerogative of the President, and when we say special working day, still there is encouragement to people to commemorate, to join any event and it will not hinder any activity to commemorate the EDSA People Power," Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
She added that there are no efforts to erase history.
"Since the time na siya po ay naging pangulo wala pong tayong nadinig na anumang pagpapahinto ng events, [or] any activities na maaaring mag-commemorate ng nasabing event."
"Paano po mabubura ang history? History is history. So hindi po kakayanin ng presidente na ito ay mabura sa ating history."
