Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

LOS ANGELES - Southern California residents will commemorate the 24th anniversary of the People Power Revolution with a “gotohan” and public forum on the coming Philippine presidential elections on Saturday, February 27, at 17140 Burbank Blvd., Encino, CA 91316.

The event, which will be held from 3 to 5pm, is one of several to be held all over the United States to celebrate the peaceful revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship and restored democracy in the Philippines. The non-violent people’s uprising brought the Filipinos international respect and inspired similar people’s movements in several countries in Europe and other parts of the world.

The first People Power, also known as EDSA 1, occurred on February 22-25, 1986 on E. de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) when hundreds of thousands of Filipinos gathered near Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame to support soldiers, led by then Defense Secretary, Juan Ponce Enrile, and then PC chief Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, who had risen up against President Marcos.

The People Power uprising culminated on February 25, 1986 with the flight of the Marcos family to Hawaii and the installation of Corazon Aquino, who had challenged Marcos in the snap elections held earlier that month, as president of the new Republic.

The simple “gotohan” mixer cum public forum is sponsored by the US Pinoys for Noy-Mar (Southern California chapter).

The public forum, entitled “People Power…2010 and Beyond,” will feature three community leaders who will discuss various aspects of the May Philippine presidential elections as they relate to People Power.

Fr. Rodel Balagtas, parish priest of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles, will discuss the moral and spiritual aspects of elections within the Philippine context.

David Paraiso, head of the Healthcare Coalition Institute, a non-profit organization engaged in consultancy and advocacy, will talk about the various values and criteria of an ideal candidate, with special emphasis on economic, educational, health and social programs which voters should look for in their ideal candidate.  

Political activist and columnist Prosy de la Cruz will delve on harnessing the Filipino-Americans to be pro-active as a potent force and movers of change in the Philippines.

An open forum, to be moderated by Atty. Jonathan Navarro, will follow where the attendees will be allowed to ask questions and discuss issues with the panelists.

“We invite all Filipinos in Southern California to join the celebration and be involved in the resurgence of People Power for the coming May presidential elections in the Philippines,” said Leo Maranan, the event committee chairman.

Wally Reyes, convenor of the US Pinoys for Noy-Mar (Southern California chapter), said the affair hopes to gather like-minded Filipino-Americans not only to celebrate People Power but also “to listen to community leaders as they share their experiences and thoughts on how we can help our beloved Philippines rise from the quagmire of corruption and poverty, and return our Motherland to her former standing as a leading society and economy in Asia.”

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