ESSAY-EDSA_MethuselahChua/BACR 2-1

1. Methuselah Chua Advance Communication Theories
BARC 2-1 Prof. Kriztine Viray
Competing Movements: A Repetition of History
No one can argue the old adage that "history repeats itself".
Philippines gain popularity in the year 1986. It was the year where Filipinos unite as one for a
same goal. It was the year wherein we show to the whole nation the true power of democracy, that
we can achive our goal thru unity. It was the year when the first historical EDSA People Power
Revolution happen. Now, after twenty seven years of that momentum event, Filipinos are again
knocking on doors to participate to the abolishment of the Priority Development Assistance Fund
(PDAF) or what we called Pork Barrel.
During Marcos regime and tyranny, he declared the Martial Law in September 21, 1972,
allowing and giving him all the powers to decide to his country. His countrymen were forced to
takr and obey his orders to avoid punishment like the famous "silya elektrika". This continues
until the day of August 21, 1983. It was the day were the exiled senator Ninoy Aquino Sr. was shot
while stepping out of the airplane. His sudden death caused the Filipinos nationalism to awaken
and rise against the iron hand of Marcos.
Dubbed by the world as the bloodless revolution in the whole history, EDSA People Power
Revolution takes place. Walking arm in arm, led by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin

2. together with nuns, they faced several military tanks of Ferdinand Marcos. Later on, his Defense
Minister, Juan Ponce Enrile and Arm Forces Vice-Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos join the nation
against their tyrant leader. This results to Marcos' voluntary abdication of the presidential seat and
making Corazon Aquino as the eleventh and first lady president of the Republic of the Philippines.
Today, due to the revelations about the misused and corruption of PDAF by Janet Lim
Napoles who public dubbed as the "pork barrel scam queen", netizens are organizing an event
called The Million People March to extend to the government their wish to totally abolish the
Pork Barrel. Filipinos cannot take it anymore, borrowing the famous tagged line during 1986
"Tama na, sobra na". This movement was organized by Peachy Rallonza Bretaña.
Like in 1986, people unite as one for a common goal though not literally similar. In EDSA I,
their purposed is to end the iron hand of Marcos and bring back democracy while Million People
March intend to abolish pork barrel and have political transparency and accountability.
Unexpectedly, millions of Filipino gathered in Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) to
participate while Million People March, though aiming for a million participants, only reached
thousands in Burnham Grounds, Luneta Park. However, this movement is done at the same time at
different places all over the country and world.
As EDSA I was dubbed by the world as bloodless revolution, Million People March was the
first ever massive rally in the Philippines which was organized thru social media and by the

3. netizens.
Due to the advancement of technologies, before Million People March was set, a group
hacktivist called Privatex hacked thirty government websites which includes Philippine National
Police and Philippine Embassy in Rome. EDSA was successful in achieving their goal however
Million People March Propaganda is still fighting to attain theirs.
If EDSA People Power I had Archbishop Cardinal Sin, Million People March was joined by
the former pontiff candidate and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. During EDSA I,
Juan Ponce Enrile and Fidel V. Ramos are the politician and high ranked officials who joined the
movement however in Million People.March, Enrile was one of the accused to mishandle his pork
barrel together with his fellow senators Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla and late former president
Marcos son, Bong-bong Marcos. Dismissed Supreme Court Justice Head Renato Puno wad also
there extending his participation in the said movement towards pork barrel.
Late president Cory Aquino's son, President Noynoy Aquino, was also alleged to be
acompliance in the pork barrel scam. Its funny how big his mother and father's participation in
EDSA I and his participation in Million People March. Only, they are on both continuums, one is
restoring while one is corrupting.
It’s funny and at the same time nostalgic how things in the past repeats at present times and
how certain person changed sides like a see-saw. Truly, in politics, there is no permanent allies, no

4. permanent enemies but only permanent interests (also, no permanent side).
SOURCE
globalvoicesonline.org/2013/08/27/million-people-march-against-corruption-in-the-philippines/
www.philippine-history.org/edsa-people-power-revolution.htm