According to Jordan Cooper: “If you’re over 65 and can still remember these 12 life events, your mind is in remarkable shape.”
We have tackled the 5 life events in the previous posts. We are now in #6: A NATIONAL OR GLOBAL MOMENT AND WHERE YOU WERE
“The ‘Where were you when…?’ question. If you can place yourself—kitchen radio, dorm lounge, the passenger seat at a red light—your temporal and contextual memory are in sync. You don’t need to remember the date; remembering YOUR POSITION in the world when history knocked is the magic.”
I do remember the dates so here goes:
Feb 21, 1986: With all my thesis drafts rejected one after another, I decided to take an indefinite break in Pampanga. I brought my files/folders with me and left CRC.
Feb. 22, 1986: I was enjoying my swim alone in the pool, oblivious of an ongoing Press Conference in Camp Aguinaldo that would change the course of Philippine History.
Feb. 23, 1986: After a refreshing sleep, I woke up hearing the voices of PC Chief Fidel V Ramos and Defense Minister Jesus P Enrile over the radio. For a while I thought I was still asleep and only dreaming that a civil war was about to erupt in the country. Both of them defected from the Marcos Cabinet and pleaded for help from the innocent civilians to support them. What followed was the appeal of Cardinal Sin for the people to unite and go to Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame to protect those who turned their backs from the Marcos Administration. Hundreds of thousands of unarmed Filipinos heeded the call and flocked to EDSA (Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue). Armor trucks of Marcos followers were stopped by civilians by offering them food and drinks instead of bombarding them with bullets. Nuns led the rosary brigades in front of the terrifying tanks.
Feb. 24, 1986: I was jolted by the commanding voice of my father to carry my butt up my bed and join the demonstrations happening in Metro Manila. I knew he wouldn’t stop nagging me with his piercing words “what would you say to your grandchild someday when he asks you where were you during the EDSA REVOLUTION?” After breakfast, I left with my backpack full of water and snacks because I knew I would be taking the longest route back to Pasig. NLEX (North Luzon EXpressway) was locked down to prevent the Marcos loyalists to enter Metro Manila.
As expected, it was almost dark when I arrived in CRC. My friends couldn’t believe I managed to sneak in from Pampanga to Pasig. I just matter-of-factly told them “if there’s a will, there’s a way.” We had a quick dinner then proceeded to Camp Atienza where we kept vigil. It was the only remaining military camp that did not yet join the Opposition.
Feb. 25, 2986: At the crack of dawn, military troops from Camp Atienza marched their way outside the gate to meet the waiting civilians. It was a festive moment! Men in uniform and ordinary citizens hugging and embracing each other. We were crying and laughing at the same time.
I was in Libis, Quezon City during the triumph of the People Power Revolution. Democracy was restored in the Philippines without any casualty. This national phenomenon eventually became a global sensation. Filipinos showed the world that a non-violent Revolution is possible to end a 20-year Dictatorship.
To be continued . . .
