Commemorating the legacies of the EDSA People Power Revolution, speakers of  EDSA: From the eyes of Mindanao, focused on exploring diverse local narratives of the Mindanaoan people.

In the course of the virtual open forum held last February 25, 2021 via Zoom and FB Live,  Bro. Karl Gaspar, Dr. Lourdesita S. Chan, Ms. Mags Maglana, and Datu Edtani Mansayangan shared their collective experiences during the EDSA People Power Revolution. 

Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J.,President of Ateneo de Davao University, also shared during his opening remarks, the importance of highlighting this historical moment when Filipinos united to rise above differences and prevailed as one Filipino nation.

Moreover, Tabora asserted that we should banner mindanaoan voices aimed at presenting that EDSA did not only happen in Metro Manila. That EDSA belongs to Mindanao as well and that democracy is a blessing that mindanaoans equally celebrate.

Shedding light to women’s struggles during the dictatorship, Dr. Lourdesita S. Chan Director of the University Research Council of  Ateneo de Davao  University, shared the emerging issues beyond what the dictatorship is such as the violations to women on the account that they are women.

Chan also concluded some contributions of the martial law regime to the women’s movement which also played a role during the revolution.

“The anti dictatorship movement became a venue where various sectors forged a united front in calling an end for martial rule, political atrocities and economic adversities that were with it,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Mags Maglana, Spokesperson of Alisto and Convenor of Konsensya Dabaw, talked about how she subscribes to the view that remembrance and commemoration are not just about the past, “They are ultimately very relevant to the present and the future.”

“I also believe that the true power of memory is in its application in the contemporary times,” she added.

Maglanan then addressed the youth and other participants to continue in upholding our history. “Hopefully, the youth and the rest of the country will be able see the collectiveness of the struggles of half a century ago. I ask that today’s youth not fritter away the heroism of the past.”

The said forum was participated by the different Ateneo universities namely, Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University and Xavier University