Four days that changed our lives

THEN: Feb. 28, 1986 — 25 years ago

Just like most writers I keep a regular journal of important events which can later be research materials for my writing. Here I have jotted down emotion and images, facets of the human struggle that characterized people power in the four days that changed our lives.

Feb. 22, Saturday

The days started quietly enough after a Friday of celebration that lasted through the night. I had two things to do today: Attend a fashion show and guest at Vilma Santos’ VIP. Somehow in the latter part of the day, I decided to stay home and write. Then the bombshell came. Minister Johnny Ponce Enrile and General Fidel Ramos have announced that they are splitting from President Ferdinand Marcos and will not be supporting him anymore. The news came out over Radio Veritas which has now become, it seems, the only medium available to the rebel group to air their side.

The situation got very tense as Marcos confirmed the split with his own presscon on Channel 4. Announcing that the two were responsible for a “coup” attempt and an assassination plot on the First Lady and himself. As usual, three nervous officers were brought out to be the perpetrators or rather part of the plotters who have now been caught and have therefore confessed. If Marcos still has some credibility, people would have taken this seriously. But it was the usual ploy that elicited the usual questions in people’s mind.

At the start, it was a propaganda game with the rebels using Veritas while Marcos had all the TV stations and the radio commentators blaring anti-Enrile and Ramos pronouncements. Marcos also announced in no uncertain terms that he would crush the “coup.” In that presscon, only his daughter Imee was seen in the background.

People Power started to manifest itself at this stage as thousands rallied to the call of Jaime Cardinal Sin to protect the two heroes of The New Republic as in their fight against Marcos. Soon it was reported that the parameter of Fort Aguinaldo and Camp Crame were “protected” by a legion of people showing that they were with Enrile and Ramos.

Feb. 23, 1986, Sunday

It is now 1:15 a.m. early Sunday and I am still glued to Radio Veritas. There are now more people around Fort Aguinaldo and Camp Crame. Butz Aquino had a talk with Ramos though details were not disclosed. Mrs. Corazon Aquino was reported to be in Cebu though earlier in the day her non-appearance was a puzzle to many. It was only when Veritas announced that she was safe that listeners heaved a sigh of relief.

The Sunday papers are full of Ramos and Enrile, each saying that they “will never surrender.”

The area fronting the two military camps bounded by Santolan and Ortigas has turned out to be one big carnival. This portion of EDSA is where the countless supporters now sit it out to help. The Marcos army are “loyalist” while the Enrile-Ramos groups are the “Reformist.” People Power is on everyone’s lips as it proves to be the potent factor now, even against tank and mortar fire. Igmidio Cruz, 17, has been there since the night before and his brothers and a sister will be coming over to relieve him while he rests. Nora Aunor was seen with Behn Cervantes and Johnny Delgado and she was booed and heckled by the partisan crowd. They still remember her campaigning for the KBL ticket. Celeste Legaspi and Nonoy Zuñiga were also around. Earlier they were donors at Radio Veritas. Veritas was operating on a standby transmitter which later on sputtered out. Just when we were feeling the gloom of Veritas being off the air, June Keithley, the new media supporter of the day, has come out loud and clear from another station holed up in an undisclosed place. The plot thickens as we get regular feelers now on what’s happening in Camp Crame.

We have always maintained that what the Philippines need is a hero to lead us during these rough times. Ninoy Aquino was that hero until a single bullet made him a martyr for the cause of freedom. Not now, even at this precarious level of peace and revolt, two heroes have come out in the persons of Ramos and Enrile. With their defiant split from Marcos, the very scary image of the “corrupt” military was transformed overnight into one that people can admire and respect. When Enrile crossed over to consolidate forces with Ramos at Camp Crame, the sea of humanity in that four-mile stretch on EDSA paid homage to the two who turned the tide at that precise time in our history. But no lesser heroes are those who comprise people power, their numbers now into the millions who are using their bodies as the buffer to tanks set to attack the reformist group in Camp Crame.

Celebrities have come out in droves blending with the people on the street. There is Celeste in apron and chef’s hat, going about her business of distributing food as a member of the food brigade. Nanette Inventor mans the telephone while Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and George Javier take their position in front of the camera to tell the people what is happening in different strategic places.

One of the most dramatic moments was when an oncoming tank inched its way to Crame and nuns, priests and ordinary people barricaded the tank with their bodies. Mandy Navasero found herself with the second line before the tank and with nowhere to move in case the tank moves in their direction. Butz Aquino was about six lines away and the crowd held arms with their eyes closed in prayer.

“I thought that was the end. I’m still numb. I don’t think that was bravery either. I just happened to be there with nowhere to escape. I cried like everyone else.” Mandy said later.

I was a few yards away but not in the direct line. While most of the entertainers posted themselves in the food brigade and the communication system, most of the journalists in the area preferred to be mobile. There is worry that if the banks stayed closed we would have to go into food rationing.

Feb. 24, 1986 - Monday

Then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile (third from left) and Gen. Fidel Ramos (second from right) were among the heroes of the EDSA Revolution

Dawn breaks into a new day with uneasy quiet after a sleepless Sunday. The quiet was not for long for soon we hear that Channel 4 had been taken over by the forces of Ramos with just a minimum of firepower. When the morning broadcast was resumed, the liberated Channel 4 was now manned by volunteers. With bated breath we watched the screen with the image of Maan Hontiveros and Orly Punzalan as anchor persons. When the counter-attack of Marcos loyalists was contained, Channel 4 became more secure with people power all around the perimeters. Lino Brocka announces the Concerned Artists of the Philippines statement and when I saw him later coming out of the gate, we can’t help getting sentimental about the significance of the moment. Joel Torre was with the crowd being part of people power and Freddie Aguilar, Jacqui Magno, Cynthia Patag, Kring Kring, Soxy Topacio, Jim, Danny and Behn Cervantes are on top of the roof entertaining with songs and more announcement.

It is still an uneasy jubilation. But seeing Tina Monzon Palma in Channel 4 was another pleasant development. She is one of the most professional broadcasters, not once betraying partisanship or ill will which is what the new government is trying to portray. Marcos still broadcasts from Channel 9 and in fact, the early dancing in the streets brought about by the news that he has left the country, is soon proven wrong when he appeared on Channel 9 with his whole family stating that he still in command and “will never resign.”

Over at Channel 7 in the early afternoon, the loyalist forces of Marcos are still inside. Reaching the place, we see a group of soldiers, about 15 of them, come out, followed by people. They are hostile and afraid, pushing the crowd back and gesturing with their arms. They refused to answer questions as they look warily about. My brother Ting and I follow the crowd. The soldiers are from Tanay, the training ground under Brig. Gen. Roland Patuggalan. They have been cut off from their group and don’t have orders on what to do and where to go. They are pathetic in their fear, unlike the Ramos soldiers at Channel 4, showered with love, attention and all kinds of food supplies from volunteers.

I worked with J-2 ISAFP as research analyst right after graduation from college and the faces I see now on the TV screen bring back those days. I recognized familiar faces now differently aligned. Someone we used to call “Olac” who is now a top officer of the Philippine Navy is there beside Gen. Fabian Ver in the Marcos presscon hardly smiling. I used to play tennis with him and remember how we used to have such a sense of humor. Then from the side of Ramos, there were Gen. Eddie Ermita, Col. Louie San Gabriel, and Charlie Taniega. I cheer when names like Brig. Gen. Tom Manlongat and Brig. Gen. Rod Gutang were called as those who are now with Gen. Ramos.

At Fort Aguinaldo and Camp Crame, people power now number more than two million. You have to see it to believe it. Most of them are rallying to the call of Cardinal Sin. Editha Ramos and her husband Romulo walked all the way from Guadalupe to get inside Crame. They are lucky to see the eventful defection of the helicopter brigade under Capt. Sotelo of the 5th Fighter Wing with soldiers alighting in full battle gear to be embraced by civilians now enthralled with the military. Now the people are protecting the military from outside attack.

Another couple, Hernan and Alice Robles came all the way from Marikina with their son Adrian. They stayed the night in front of Camp Crame and felt high talking about the experience. It is almost a religious experience, they say, to see part of history unfolding and be part of it.

Inside Camp Crame friends and relatives have come to see Enrile and Ramos. Quietly talking with each other are former First Lady Luz Magsaysay and her son Magsaysay and daughter Mila Valenzuela. Earlier, Armida Siguion-Reyna visited brother Johnny Ponce Enrile. The two just embraced without saying a word.

More defections are announced by Ramos over Channel 4. It is the feeling of most people that tonight will be the critical night when Marcos might do his blitz. And it is also agreed that if he cannot do it tonight, the momentum of the revolution will definitely swing to the side of the people.

Another uneasy and sleepless night has turned into a beautiful morning. Mrs. Cory Aquino is being sworn in as President by Justice Claudio Teehankee. There she is looking frail in her yellow dress with embroidered cut-out on long sleeves. With newly-sworned Vice President Salvador Laurel is his wife Celia and their children. Cory starts her speech stressing that she can be magnanimous in victory. She looks like a winner in the last elections. Last Feb. 4, I was in Times Street to arrange for the TV appearance of Kris Aquino through Ballsy Cruz in Inday Badiday’s See-True. I gave Cory two articles written about her in the Extranger in France, knowing she is proficient in French. She reads it right away with a smile.

Today she is being sworn in as the first woman President of the Philippines and there is a special feeling in the air. This woman of destiny is going to play a big role in our lives.

At noontime, Marcos is having his own oathtaking at Malacañang attended by members of the different barangays. We do not see much of this ceremony as this is cut off the air. The former President loses more rounds as he is cut off from television with only a few radio stations to serve him. More forces defect to the Armed Forces of the people under Ramos and Enrile. Enrile is now the newly-appointed Minister of Defense under Cory.

By early evening it is obvious that the last stand of Marcos has fallen and it is now a matter of time. There is still a disquiet as holdouts of loyalists man the ramparts near the Palace gates. The Marcos family finally leaves the Palace ground at 9 p.m. This was initially kept by Ramos and Enrile from the public, their last gesture for a fallen leader who was once their commander-in-chief. The Marcos family was given ample time to leave and the precarious moment in the twilight of the gods was treated with sobriety and respect by Ramos and Enrile.

Finally, at 10:45 p.m., it was announced on Channel 4 that Marcos and family have left the country through Clark Airbase. It is finally over. People dance on the street in jubilation at this taste of freedom after 14 years. Now the whole process of reconciliation and rebuilding has to be worked out.

Tomorrow we hope for the healing process to begin.

NOW: Feb. 22, 2011 — 25 years later.

It is nice to remember how we felt during those days. We were so proud of being Filipinos. But it seems like a long time ago after the corruption scandals of the past few days. Cory Aquino took over from Marcos as the family lived in exile abroad. The partnership with Doy Laurel did not last. Laurel died without getting to be President. There were military coups that threatened Cory’s term. Soon enough, the Cory term ended and Ramos became President.

Butz Aquino became senator and later ran for mayor of Makati and lost. Of the EDSA personalities, Enrile stayed the longest in public service. He has been senator for years and is now Senate President. Cory died of colon cancer two years ago, still a symbol of democracy even in her private capacity. Her popularity even in death catapulted her only son, Noynoy Aquino to the presidency.

Of the artists involved in EDSA: The APO (Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Buboy Garovillo) announced their retirement last year. Jim is writing for this paper and teaches photography. Buboy is visible on TV and some movies. Danny is now a businessman. Celeste has retired from the stage but she comes out with special projects that brings theater and musical to grassroots level. Nanette is very much around on TV and is still a favorite on concert stages here and abroad. Freddie is still a musical force and has put up his own musical bistros to fans who want to listen to his kind of music. Nonoy tours with the Hitmakers with Rico J. and Marco Sison. He just released his latest album.

Lino died in a car crash several years back. Behn is active teaching and writing and wants to tell the young students how it was during Lino’s time. Tina is still a favorite on Channel 2.

The Channel 4 building mentioned above is the old ABS building which was commandeered by Marcos and turned into Channel 4. It was a one-floor structure and the roof was used as stage. The APO, Nanette, Maan Hontiveros, Behn and Lino, Jacqui Magno and Cynthia Patag entertained the people power crowd protecting it. This was the building that lawyer Jejomar Binay went in full battle gear to help the soldiers take over it. That’s how Vice President Binay got his “Rambotito” monicker. The Channel 4 building was later returned to the Lopezes by Cory and it is now the multi-structured ABS-CBN.