MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) –  On February 25, millions of Filipinos will gather along EDSA, Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare, for a shared purpose: to end a dictatorship, to end corruption, and to end the abuses of those in power. This avenue stands witness to what Filipinos are capable of doing for democracy and freedom. Nuns will face tanks head-on, armed only with flowers and rosaries. Students, workers, and families, will lock arms together, throwing caution to the wind in their stand for freedom. Soldiers who have the strength of will to go against the establishment will join in this mass action, realizing that the Philippines has had enough years of hardship and unbridled corruption.

The above was the scenario in 1985 that led to the downfall of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, a scenario that repeated itself during the administrations of Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Is EDSA 29 a commemoration of the past or a declaration about the present?