Never ever forget: 1986 People Power

By February 25, Filipinos will be celebrating the 40th year of People Power that toppled the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.

That time, in various parts of the country, not just in EDSA, Filipinos finally found the courage to unite and topple the martial law regime – “tama na, sobra na, palitan na.”

Despite the real threat of military retaliation or even death, millions of protesters gathered together to show the dictator Marcos and his cronies that they were ready to give up their lives in exchange for freedom for our people, especially for our children and the next generations.

That 1986 People Power became a defining moment for Filipinos, for our country as well.

We showed the world that revolution/change, that toppling a dictator can be done peacefully, prayerfully with unity, full faith and trust in the Lord and Mama Mary!

May all Filipinos always remember, may every Filipino never ever forget that freedom and change are possible if all unite/pray/believe together that, with God’s grace and will, nothing is impossible, that People Power can remove the abusive, the corrupt.

This year’s 2026 People Power commemoration comes in the midst of the continuing anger and cry of the Filipinos to end corruption/abuse/political dynasties.

Will the nation and the world again witness millions of Filipinos demonstrating their People Power to end abuse/corruption that has persisted beyond 1986?

That is a continuing prayer among those who believe in the power of God and in the strength of united Filipinos. There are those who see the spiritual significance of the People Power on its 40th year.

As we wrote earlier, the number 40 of Lent has biblical significance: During Noah’s flood, it rained for 40 days, nights (Genesis 7:12); the Israelites wandered 40 years in the desert (Numbers 14:33); Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18); Elijah traveled 40 days to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:8).

More importantly, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days/nights before beginning his public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11).

Fr. Carmelo Diola shared this: “40 ka adlaw Kuwaresma. 40 ka tuig sukad People Power. Kahigwaos nagtukmod. Atong nasod gianod-anod. Pagpangawkaw maoy naghikaw. Pebrero 25 puhon, People Power Lives On.

“Moapil kita sa mga bulohatong pangkuwaresma. Maampuong panagtipon, pagpuasang katilingbanon, hustisya ipahigayon. Tara na. Apil na sa bulohatong Kuwaresmatic.”

Yes, tara na! Enjoining, calling all to join the various People Power celebrations scheduled all throughout our country. Let us all remember to never ever forget 1986 People Power - our historic “handog ng Pilipino sa mundo!”

For those in Cebu, come and join the February 25 People Power commemorative assembly/march/panagtagbo led by Cebu Archbishop Abet Uy, SuPAKK (Sugbuanong Pakigbisog Kontra Korapsyon) and partners.

Assembly time will be at 1:30 P.M. at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, to be followed by a Mass.

A unique feature of this Cebu People Power 2026 celebration will be the tolling of the bells at 3 P.M. and the “singgit sa katawhan,” a collective/united shout/cry to the Lord to heal our land, to thank him for his truth/justice/freedom to reign victorious in our land vs. the abusive and corrupt!

At 3 P.M. on February 25, 2026, not only the SuPAKK participants but all Filipinos wherever they are in Cebu/elsewhere in the world are invited to unite to join the collective “singgit sa katawhan.”

This is reminiscent of the Bible account of Joshua and the fall of Jericho (Joshua 5:16, 20): “… at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. They devoted the city to the Lord.”

May the Lord deliver this country back to our people and his chosen genuine public servants!