Twenty-nine years ago today, the Filipinos were able to peacefully topple a dictator (the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.). The whole world was surprised at how the Philippines united through prayers and utilized a bloodless method to end the dictatorship. After 20 long years of Martial Law which was controversial due to unspoken cases of violence and electoral fraud, Filipinos had a series of street demonstrations that began in 1983 and culminated on February 22-25, 1986. The non-violent revolution led to the ousting of Marcos and democracy was restored. 

There was a predominant use of the color yellow during the demonstrations as a sign of support to Corazon Aquino (more popularly known as the late President Cory), wife of Filipino senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Sr. and mother of our current President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, Jr.. The late Senator Ninoy died from an assassination in 1983 and his sudden death sparked the so-called Yellow or EDSA People Power Revolution. As a sign of success, Cory was later declared as the legitimate Philippine president.

The peaceful protests that involved over 2 million Filipinos took place in Metro Manila, along EDSA or the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

 WATCH this video of the Ninoy Aquino’s last interview right before he was shot at the airport tarmac in 1983. The reactions from foreign media with him on the plane still give me goosebumps today:

Some clips from the EDSA Revolution: