Towering figures behind 1986 EDSA revolution

MANILA, Philippines – History will always remember the day the Filipinos came together in consummate bravery to stand united against dictatorship.

Every February 25, the whole nation remembers the momentous event by in a nationwide observance. This year marks the 29th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution.

While the day has been globally known “People Power Revolution,” “EDSA Revolution,” “Yellow Revolution,” and the “Bloodless Revolution,” it will always be known as the day of “freedom” for many Filipinos.

In honor of this milestone in our nation’s history, here are the people who played great roles in the revolution:

Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr.

A 27-year-old Ninoy joins the race for vice governor of Tarlac Province. Presidential Museum and Library/PCDSPO/"Ninoy: Ideals & Ideologies 1932-1983"

The abuse and the human rights violation was rampant when Marcos government declared Law Proclamation in 1972. But it was the murder of Benigno Aquino in 1983, which triggered the end for the Marcos dictatorship. The blatant assassination of the country’s leading opposition leader brought the whole nation in a universal cause to reclaim their political liberty and dignity. Aquino’s death signaled the day that Filipinos learned to fight.

ASSASSINATED. Aquino's remains lies on the ground shortly after he alighted from the plane seen in this image from the photo library of Asiaweek. Presidential Museum and Library/PCDSPO/"Ninoy: Ideals & Ideologies 1932-1983"

Corazon 'Cory' Aquino

LABAN. Cory Aquino flashes the Laban sign to the crowd in EDSA. Teo Marasigan via Kapirasong Kritika/worpress.com

After Benigno Aquino’s assassination, the widowed Corazon Aquino became the hesitant principal of the opposition against the Marcos regime. She became the strongest wall fortifying against the cruelty of Martial Law. Urged by millions of people to plunge into political arena, it was her who went head-to-head with Marcos when he held a snap presidential election in February 7, 1986 to win back his popularity among the people. Unfortunately, it was a deceitful election and that there was discrepancy committed during vote counting. Such brazen dishonesty was the final straw of tolerance by the Filipinos of the Marcos regime. On the day Marcos and his family departed the country for exile in Hawaii, she was inaugurated as the 11th and the first female president of the Philippines.

WEDDING WITH CORAZON COJUANGCO.. In this photo taken October 11, 1954, Ninoy, Cory and the bride's father, Jose Cojuangco Sr. in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Pasay City. Presidential Museum and Library/PCDSPO/"Ninoy: Ideals & Ideologies 1932-1983"

Juan Ponce Enrile

THE REVOLUTION. Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who is now under police custody for allegedly embezzling millions of his lump sum allocation through bogus non-government organizations was among those who lead the first action of the "People Power" revolution. File Photo

Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile’s move on February 22 to take over the Defense Ministry at Camp Aguinaldo with hundreds of pro-Aquino was seen as the first action of the "People Power" revolution. Together with Fidel Ramos, they announced on a press conference the fraud that took place on the elections, and that Corazon Aquino was the real president. The two later on organized the military part of the “People Power” revolution. He was also the one who contacted and informed Corazon Aquino of the developments taking place in Manila.

MARCH TO FREEDOM. At midday of February 23, Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and his men left Camp Aguinaldo to join General Fidel Ramos in Camp Crame. RAM leader Col. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan (right foreground) led the pack. Tom Haley via positivelyfilipino

Fidel Ramos

SALUTE. President Corazon C. Aquino, Commander-in-Chief, after the coup attempt that almost killed her son, Benigno S. Aquino III. Standing beside her, Chief of Staff Gen. Fidel V. Ramos. Circa 1987. Malaca?ñang.gov.ph

On Feburary 23, Fidel Ramos faced the crowd in EDSA for the first time. He dubbed the revolution "a revolution of the people." Ramos vowed to put the "New Armed Forces" at the service of "newly-constituted authorities,” referencing to the likely Aquino-led provisional government. In return, he was appointed by President Corazon as Armed Forces chief of staff, a reward for joining the EDSA revolution. After hearing the news that Marcos had already abandoned the palace, he was the one who announced to the thick crowd the good news, while jumping with joy. Up to now, the jumping he did is still symbolic in EDSA celebrations.

DECEITFUL ELECTIONS. Minister of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile (right) and General Fidel Ramos announced their break from the Marcos administration in a press conference at the Ministry office in the evening of Saturday, Feb. 22, 1986. The move caught everyone by surprise.  Peter Charlesworth via positivelyfilipino

Jaime Cardinal Sin

WAVES. Cardinal Jaime Sin with Corazon Aquino, the former Philippine president, at a 1997 rally against extending President Fidel Ramos's term. Bulilit Marquez/Associated Press

The Archbishop of Manila Jaime Cardinal Sin aired an appeal over Radio Veritas asking the people to support  the revolution. He was the one who led the Catholic Church’s participation in the revolution. He was the very evident hero who called on the crowds to shield the two military camps that became the scene of the final altercation between the people and the Marcos dictatorship. Catholic nuns from the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception helped form the first line of defense against Marcos troops along EDSA, two miles from the headquarters of anti-Marcos leaders. Religious leaders were a key part of the "People Power" revolt that brought down Marcos.

Lorenzo Tañada

Ninoy on August 27, 1973 before the Military Commission No. 2, flanked by his wife Cory and Senator Lorenzo Tañada. Aquino was the first of the martial law detainees. Presidential Museum and Library/PCDSPO/"Ninoy: The Willing Martyr"

Tañada was 84 when the tyrant Marcos fled for his life before the sweep of people power. Tañada played a great role in EDSA Revolution by encouraging Corazon Aquino to run in the "snap elections." It was him who told her to take her oath as president at the climax of the EDSA Revolt. He also arrived on Feburay 24 at Camp Crame to meet with rebel commanders.

Sources: Philippinehistory.org,  Mtholyoke.edu