By: Nine
Cartoon by: Klai
The boomerang is an object that comes back after the user throws it away—a cycle that repeats unless someone breaks it. Shattering the cycle is one step towards learning and progressing, reverting is two steps back.
For two years in a row, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has set February 25, the anniversary of the People Power Revolution, as a special working day which downplays the historical significance of the date. 39 years after his dictator father was kicked from the presidential seat, Bongbong winning proves itself to be a leap backwards, as further manifested by this blatant disregard of the Malacañang Palace of the revolution.
Uniting over two million Filipinos, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) was a witness to this pivot in cutting the authoritarian rule of the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The revolt was a successful attempt to renew the political landscape of the country, with Marcos Sr. leaving the Philippines deeply wounded by his 20-year reign. So, the Philippines’ reelection of a Marcos is much of a boomerang effect—a return to a past many Filipinos thought was behind. Because despite the family’s notorious image, many people believed that Bongbong is the key to a “golden era,” a similar adjective given to his father’s regime.
Minimizing the impact of the very event that ousted his father, this irony has been going on since he assumed presidency as he continues a pattern of historical revisionism that began with the Marcoses’ return to power. This disregard goes beyond remembering history, it also disrupts any advancement made by the country from the grim era as the Philippines. Gradually scraping this stain in history allows the same patterns of dictatorship and heightened corruption to resurface, threatening the democracy so many fought to restore.
It may seem like a mere holiday to others; however, this deprecation undermines the fight for democracy and accountability. EDSA 1 is revered as a silent protest, serving as a global reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of standing up against oppression. As such, the risk of historical revisionism under another Marcos incumbency poses a greater threat for the community: societies that forget their history are doomed to repeat it. Given that the cut left by Marcos Sr. continues to bleed, keeping his part of history is necessary to learn why the repercussions of his tenure affected the overall nature of Filipino politics, and more importantly, why the Philippines is unable to make significant steps forward.
While the protest unarguably restored democracy, today’s governance shows that the revolution failed to address systemic issues such as inequality, corruption, and political dynasties. These systemic issues left the door open for the return of the Marcoses. The protesters then paved the way for the restoration of democracy, and remembering this event is essential in continuing its unfinished business. Evident from his inability to recognize his father’s infamous deeds, Bongbong’s presidency remains a selfish act of political gain. This administration’s active decision to treat February 25 as a regular workday suggests that this move is an attempt to bury the past behind.
Being a progressing nation stuck in a cycle of regression plunges any uplift done; but the boomerang only comes back if thrown towards a certain direction. Remembering the People Power Revolution is not just about honoring the past–it’s about ensuring that the Philippines’ history does not become cyclic and backward.
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