#KilosKabataan Episode Highlight
Historians on Friday reminded the Filipino youth to remember the contribution of the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution in restoring democracy in the country.
University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman history professor Dondy Pepito Ramos II said the youth played a vital role being at the forefront of the resistance against martial law and the Marcos dictatorship.
“Karamihan ng lumaban at ‘yung mga nangunguna sa oposisyon ay mga kabataan. They’re really at the forefront of struggles against the dictators. So in a way, ‘yung EDSA is also a victory of the youth,” Ramos explained during an online interview on Now You Know’s youth program Kilos Kabataan.
“Pinapakita rin niya na ‘yung mga kabataan ay drivers of change. Ibig sabihin, tayong mga kabataan, mayroon tayong mapagpasyang papel dito sa lipunan,” he added.
Ramos further explained that the youth should always look back to the lessons of the EDSA uprising to prevent the horrors of martial law from happening again.
“At kailangan natin siyang alalahanin every year para hindi na maulit ‘yung horrors na naganap noong martial law at ni [Ferdinand] Marcos. Lalo na mayroong attempt ngayon na ibalik, o baka nga nakabalik na ‘yung pamilya (Marcos) sa kapangyarihan,” said Ramos.
In the same episode, historian and UP Diliman professor Jio Guiang has also warned about disinformation and negative historical revisionism about the EDSA revolution.
“In the age of social media, whatever you see online especially on Facebook, ‘pag very credible ‘yung pagkakasulat, ‘pag nabasa mo siya maniniwala ka agad. That is one of the aspects na kailangan pag-ingatan sa social media,” he said.
To battle disinformation and historical revisionism, Guiang said the youth should actively “engage in conversations.”
“You do not only settle with learning about one perspective. Ideally, or theoretically, dapat tinuturuan tayo sa younger years natin sa paaralan ng konsepto ng critical thinking. So magandang isabuhay natin ‘yung critical thinking by asking the question how,” he said.
“You do not have to fear to engage in conversations that are socio-political in nature because that is your god-given right. We live in a democracy and dissent is the lifeblood of democracy,” added Guiang.
--- Watch the full episode of Kilos Kabataan: "Mga Aral ng EDSA People Power Uprising" | February 26, 2021
