This article should have been posted few days after the 26th EDSA Anniversary, had it not been affected by my hectic schedule. Although quite late, as intended, still it has timeless relevance.
Last month’s celebration of EDSA Revolution seemed to lack the cohesive element which typically characterized the people power legacy. Rather it was highlighted with exchanges of innuendos from unofficial representatives of major players in anti dictatorship struggle, reflecting a divided nation. We find on one side the President, a son of two symbols of EDSA, in his relentless drive to get rid of perceived blocks in his matuwid na daan platform specifying one in the judiciary. Rallying his call were some militant groups leaders indicating “a new type of people power” against impeached Chief Justice.
On the other hand, outspoken archbishop emeritus Oscar Cruz warned that President Aquino could himself be the subject of a “people power” revolt. Stressing the role of the Church in previous People Power movements, Cruz, in a phone interview reported in the Inquirer.net, warned the president of his downfall “if he continued to offend churches and religious faiths.”
Meanwhile, another militant group made snide remarks on President Aquino’s Edsa anniversary speech as nothing but a rehash of his previous “daang matuwid” (straight path) rhetoric. Pointing out lapses on the government in addressing the pre EDSA Revolution issues, the group was not optimistic with the present leadership. Still they joined the commemoration of EDSA Anniversary as it represents the unfulfilled Filipino people’s dreams and aspirations.
Indeed, for years, the question persists whether the spirit of EDSA is still alive after the unprecedented phenomenon more than two and a half decades ago. More so, with the present skirmishes and political bickering in various branches of our government.
I believe the spirit of EDSA is alive. But it is overshadowed by bigotry and exclusivism that try to domesticate the encompassing spirit of truth, struggle for change and advocacy for development. The over arching and encompassing spirit of EDSA mystery cannot and will never be domesticated. No person nor group can domesticate the EDSA Revolution. Even the so called EDSA heroes cannot claim exclusive right to the historical and mystical event in the Philippines. For the spirit of EDSA is inclusive. It is above all and encircles all.
I love to relate the beauty of EDSA Revolution with the systems theory which was used as framework in my thesis on Networking as a Development Strategy. The key concepts of the systems theory are wholeness, relationship, and homeostasis. Wholeness implies that the product of interaction by the elements within the system is greater than the additive sums of the separate parts. The concept of relationship asserts the importance of the pattern and structure of elements in the system, equally important as the elements themselves. Homeostasis suggests that most living systems seek a balance to maintain and preserve the system.
The systems theory focuses on communication patterns and the transactions and relationships among parts. As pointed out by Hartman (1970), the relationship among parts and the whole are of prime interest when considering the structure of a social system. This relationship is relatively stable. Sometimes, the relationship between systems is referred to as network.
The beauty of systems theory is represented by the rainbow. While there are only three primary colors (red, yellow, blue) there is a multiplication of colors when these link, interact, and overlap. Try to separate one from the other, and the beauty of rainbow is gone.
So with EDSA. It is a culmination of respective struggles participated in by the basic masses who since time immemorial always take the lead as they are ones affected. Then comes various sectors of diverse orientation, status, political and ideological leanings, colors and shapes. Youth, professionals, church people, businessmen and women, government officials, military and others. All have contributed their share in shaping the Philippine history. Try to isolate one, and the beauty of the event is gone.
Movement for change and development in any field of endeavor is often hampered by bigotry and exclusivism. Essential issues are sidetracked or left behind to give way to the struggle for supremacy misled by an illusion that one has the sole reservoir of truth and best approach in any given situation. It is only when one realizes the need to link with each other that the beauty of unity in diversity is seen like that of the rainbow.
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