12 Facts About EDSA Revolution Holiday

Here are some interesting facts on the 31st anniversary of the EDSA revolution happening today, February 25, 2017.

1. The EDSA revolution was the first non-violent and bloodless revolution.
2. EDSA symbolized the great Filipino polymath or universal genius Epifanio de los Santos. Prior to being Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), its previous names were North-South Circumferential Road, Avenida 19 de Junio (June 19 Avenue), and Highway 54 although EDSA is not 54 kilometres long, but only 24.
3. The EDSA Shrine or the Mary Queen of Peace Shrine constructed and completed three years after the revolution is a thanksgiving honour to the Virgin Mary for the peaceful EDSA revolution.
4. Jim Paredes composed "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo" two months after the revolution.
5. There were two inaugurations during February 25, 1986 including Marcos’ inauguration in Malacañang and Aquino’s inauguration in Club Filipino.
6. “Bayan Ko” and “Magkaisa” are among the iconic songs during EDSA Revolution with the latter composed by now senator Vicente Sotto and sung by Virna Lisa Loberiza.
7. The only radio station covering the events was Radio Veritas with other government-owned stations did not do.
8. Yellow has been the colour of the revolution since the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, and “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” was Ninoy’s comeback song.
9. The L hand symbol which was done by extending the thumb and the index finger pointing up which has a meaning of "Laban" or "to fight" was the eminent hand gesture of protesters during the revolution.
10. Corazon Aquino became the 11th and the first female president of the Philippines after Marcos and his family departed the country for exile in Hawaii.
11. The jumping of Fidel Ramos while announcing to the crowd the news that Marcos had already abandoned the palace is still symbolic in EDSA celebrations.
12. The 31st anniversary today, February 25, 2017, will be the first simplest celebration of the holiday with a thematic "moving on” commemoration.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epifanio_de_los_Santos
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/104927/edsa-greatest-filipino-genius-after-rizal
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/02/23/Fidel-Ramos-EDSA-People-Power-Revolution-31st-anniversary.html
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/EDSA_Revolution_of_1986
http://www.philstar.com/news-feature/2015/02/25/1425819/29-interesting-facts-about-edsa-revolution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6dW3_LFLnY