INTRODUCTION
As we celebrate the 9th anniversary of our People Power Revolution, let me share with you some thoughts on the continuing significance to us of EDSA 1986.

EDSA will always be a moral beacon to Filipinos and to all those peoples in the world who love freedom. It was one of the rare occasions when we Filipinos were united as a nation. And history tells us that those occasions — when Filipinos unite in a common purpose — become turning points in our country’s history.

That was how it was in 1896 — when the Katipunan came to embody the Filipino nation. And that was how it was at EDSA — because, like the Katipunan, EDSA was a declaration of faith in ourselves.

Today EDSA reminds us — forcefully — of the missing ingredient in our national development efforts — teamwork, as a nation; teamwork, to show the world the best in the Filipino.
A DECLARATION OF FAITH
Bahagi ito sa mga aral ng EDSA. Lumingon tayo sa ating pinanggalingan. Nakita natin ang sariling natatakot kumibo, at naduduwag kumilos.

Tumanaw tayo sa ating paroroonan. At makikita natin ang sariling may pagkukusa, may lakas at tibay ng loob upang hubugin ang sarili nating bukas. Ating matatamo na ang tunay na kalayaan, kapayapaan at kaunlaran.

Nine years ago, God’s grace enabled us to see ourselves as a heroic people. And, during that shining moment, we lived up to that heroic image of ourselves.
At EDSA we did not admit to being helpless and in despair. We did not accept bahala na, puwede na, bukas na… We did not make excuses for what we were afraid we could not do.

We lost our fear. We dared. And we prevailed.

At EDSA, we did not wait for things to happen. We made things happen — we made things happen the way we wanted them to happen.
NEW ROLE MODELS
It was Juan Kaunlaran we saw at EDSA — not the indolent, unproductive Filipino that was Juan Tamad. With him stood Maria Masipag, and neither was she the oppressed, ever-helpless Filipino woman of tradition, custom and conservatism.

The Filipino at EDSA was an empowered Filipino, a world-class Filipino. And he was not alone.

Sino nga ba si Juan Kaunlaran? Sino nga ba si Maria Masipag?

They are our new role models. They are the productive farmers, the small entrepreneurs, and the Filipino exporters — who have become competitive in the international arena, who turn out products that hold their own against the best in the world.

They are the Filipinos working overseas — showing in their everyday work the talent, industry and friendliness of our people.

They are the Filipinos whose cooperatives and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), bringing together the poorest of the nation into people’s organizations to improve their own welfare through their self-reliance.

They are our young men and women — striving to fulfill their dreams of a better future through skills-building and education.

Sino si Juan Kaunlaran? Sino si Maria Masipag? Sila ay ikaw at ako, bawat Pilipino na tumutulong sa ating pagsulong.

Juan Kaunlaran and Maria Masipag, the empowered world-class Filipinos, are the means to create and sustain our economic growth and social development. They are also the ends of our strivings as a national team.

For the ultimate objective of all our economic growth efforts is a better quality of life for the Filipino and EDSA lives on in the empowered, globally competitive Filipino.
THE FRUITS OF EDSA
We now enjoy the first fruits of EDSA. Our restored democracy; our economic turnaround; our improved standing in the community of nations — all these were made possible by that first act of self-determination at EDSA.

It is now up to us, to build on that renewal — to achieve a continuity of national purpose that goes back a hundred years to our nationalist Revolution of 1896 which culminated in the declaration of Philippine independence in 1898.

Some will say our new growth has been a long time coming. But that was because we had two decades of stagnation and damage to undo, coming from a dictatorship.

Others will say we are not catching up with our neighbors fast enough. But that is because we have chosen to act within the framework of a constitutional democracy to do our present task of reforming our economic and social structures.

And still others will say we are making our way — alone — without alliances we can depend on — in a dangerous new world.
RIGHT IS MIGHT
Regarding these unreasonable fears, i say to you — my beloved countrymen — be brave! Be brave just like at EDSA! For there is a spirit rising in the world which recognizes a new community of purpose among nations — in keeping the peace so that unhampered economic cooperation can bring them mutual prosperity.

This renewed spirit of cooperation offers the world community the opportunity to remove the threat of force from international relations, and replace it with the more benign regime of mutual benefit. And in disputes between nations, this new spirit of community endows being in the right with a kind of strength superior to the armed might of superpower rivalry.

At EDSA nine years ago, we won not because we enjoyed a preponderance of arms, but because our cause gave us the moral advantage. We will win again — against all odds — for as long as, in every endeavor, in our daily tasks, we keep clearly on the side of what is right.
CLOSING MESSAGE
In everything we do — as at EDSA — only a commonly shared vision, only a common purpose will guarantee further breakthroughs for our country. Tulong-tulong sa pagsulong. This must be our national battle cry, uniting ourselves as a people, using the God-given power within us to shape our own future, to move steadily forward as a nation.

Thank you all, and good day.

Mabuhay ang diwa ng EDSA!

Mabuhay ang “Philippines 2000!!!”

Mabuhay ang Pilipino!