Revolutions come and go but they remain in history as a call for change and rebirth. From the Philippine Revolution (1896-1898) to the 1986 People Power Revolution, these uprisings were triggered by tyranny, corruption, unresolved crises, and abuse of power. With the government’s questionable decisions in the fight against a pandemic, how can the “new normal” be a factor in the face of an imminent revolution?
Through the years, Philippine revolutions evolved with the times. Take a look at the evolution of Philippine revolutions with the timeline below.
The fall of a regime
On August 23, 1896, after three centuries of Spanish colonization and systemic oppression, Andres Bonifacio gathered the “Katipunan” or the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galang na Katipunan nang mga Anak ng Bayan, at Pugad Lawin and tore their cedulas as a sign of revolt.
The Katipuneros suffered internal fractures, with both Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo declaring individual governments, until Bonifacio's execution in May 10, 1897 and Aguinaldo becoming the first President of the Philippines. The Katipunan continued their revolts against Spain until the “Pact of Biak-na-Bato” was signed. This granted the Spaniards to self-rule the Philippines for three years. Aguinaldo received ₱400,000 in exchange for the country, which the Spanish promised reforms for, if the revolutionaries would lay down their arms. Aguinaldo left for Hong Kong on December 27, 1897.
The pact was violated on both sides; Aguinaldo used the ₱400,000 to purchase arms in Hong Kong, while the Spaniards continued with their tyranny, later on handing over the country to the Americans after the Spaniards lost in battle. Aguinaldo returned and revolted against the Americans. On June 12, 1898, the Philippine flag was unfurled for the first time, declaring Independence Day in Cavite.
The people’s revolt
After 14 years under the oppressive dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos—an era stained with Filipino blood and stifled voices—the People Power Revolution was a peaceful revolution which united the Filipino people, and shocked the world in 1986.
First female President Corazon Aquino led a rally at Luneta against Marcos, calling for civil disobedience. This tumultuous cry for democracy was heard; the people overthrew a ruling dictator, toppling a tyrannical government.
As Filipinos marched along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), a new era of freedom and democracy began. According to Proclamation No. 71, “the EDSA Revolution restored our democratic institutions and ushered in meaningful political, social and economic reforms in the country.”
Towards a modern-day insurrection
Today, Filipinos have another cause for revolt: “The Philippine Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020,” which stifles freedom of speech and permits arrest and detainment on suspicion. Amidst a pandemic, human rights are being compromised in the name of maintaining order and justice.
In Article III, Section IV of the Bill of Rights, “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
With modern platforms for discourse, today’s revolutionaries are armed with tote bags and face masks, voicing their stances online—some in words while others in the form of protest art. Activist groups have staged rallies at the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus, last June 12 and July 4, in protest of the country’s worsening state. Serving as a safe place for rallies and protest, a 1989 agreement states that the military and/or police cannot enter any UP campus except in cases of emergency and upon request by university officials.
Maximizing the power of technology, voicing out your concerns online, such as on Twitter and Facebook, is a way for fighting for what you think is right. Concerns regarding online classes, mass promotion, academic freeze, have made waves in social media.
With the youth continuously voicing out stances, airing grievances against the current socio-political situation, and meticulously researching on laws, cases, and their effects, social media has become a platform for education, with the youth as educators.
Notable personalities such as online personality Mark Averilla (Macoy Dubs) and spoken word artist/writer Juan Miguel Severo are among the petitioners from the group “Concerned Online Citizens”, composed of vloggers, artists, and writers. Moreover, actress Isabelle Daza and IV of Spades bassist Zild Benitez have also spoken out against Duterte’s approval of this law, while 30 petitions have been filed and signed against the constitutionality of the anti-terrorism law, which the Supreme Court will be holding oral arguments for in the third week of September 2020.
With past revolutions embedded in the people’s memory, Filipinos continuously fight for freedom and human rights. When journalism is compromised and human lives are at stake, the fate of our country rests in the hands of the youth.
As we march towards the new normal, maintaining social distancing, armed with face masks, shields, and alcohol, a brighter future seems possible.
Are you ready for another revolution?
