No classes on Feb. 25

MANILA, Philippines -  There would be no classes in all levels nationwide on Feb. 25 when the nation observes a special holiday to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution.

Malacañang though clarified it would be a regular working day in the government and the private sector.

Officials said the declaration of a special holiday on Feb. 25 is still in line with Proclamation 84 signed by President Aquino last year that specified all regular and special holidays for the year 2011.

Officials prepared an elaborate celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the peaceful revolt that ended the dictatorship of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

The EDSA People Power Commission, headed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., said the celebration would be highlighted by a musical variety show where artists from the three major television networks would perform.

Singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid told a news briefing at Malacañang that the artists would be performing for free.

“It would be the first time that talents from TV-5, ABS-CBN and GMA-7 would perform altogether. There would be no network war… we emphasize the theme of the celebrations is unity,” Alcasid said.

Alcasid said he would be hosting the event with the President’s youngest sister Kris Aquino, Ryan Agoncillo and Dingdong Dantes.

Ochoa said the celebration would start on Feb. 17 and end Feb. 27.

He said the activities would include book launching, photo exhibits by Sonny Camarillo, planting of some 50,000 trees, unveiling of markers, cultural shows, Freedom Tours and the live OPM concert to be held along White Plains Avenue near EDSA.

On Feb. 23, a 40-hour vigil in 25 churches across the country will start, to end on Feb. 25.

Expected highlights include the President with some 2,500 people in a boodle fight at lunchtime.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency will also hold a job fair featuring 5,000 jobs.

In Malacañang, a Kalayaan Marker would be unveiled on Feb. 26 with the key players of EDSA I to be given recognition.

Ochoa said the weeklong celebration would show the world that Filipinos are once again a “people united.”

Maria Montelibano, a cousin of Aquino who heads the EDSA preparations, stressed no government funds were used for the festivities.

“This is a private endeavor, this is more of a Public-Private Partnership. A lot of this is on voluntary basis,” she said.

Secretary Herminio Coloma added the popular theme song “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” during the EDSA 1 revolution would be played, stressing how other countries have emulated the bloodless revolt of the Philippines 25 years ago, such as Egypt and Tunisia.

“The EDSA brand of peaceful change. People Power being the impetus for transforming society is our legacy to the world in terms of shaping the future of nations. And until today, that legacy lives on because of areas of the world that had been under authoritarian regimes,” he said.

“These authoritarian regimes are now being transformed into areas where people are clamoring for the exercise of basic rights and freedoms. And it so happens that (at) this historical juncture, the Middle East has become the focus of these developments,” Coloma explained.