It was Saturday, 22 February 1986. The San Beda Law Student Council has called for a school-wide boycott of classes and civil disobedience for an indefinite period unless then President Marcos will resign. The CAS students joined the law students in this movement which also received some support from the faculty members. At about 7am on that day, Bedan students encamped themselves outside the school campus and along Mendiola, with the loudspeaker directed towards Malacanang Palace. It was a rally indeed complete with streamers and placards. After the Invocation and the singing of Lupang Hinirang, dozens of doves voluntered to be used by nearby residents were released amidst calls for the resignation of Marcos. Speeches were delivered and “Bayan Ko” was likewise sung. There was somebody who predicted that the moment a rally is staged beyond the Mendiola bridge from C.M. Recto and Legarda, then President Marcos will step down. By about 7pm, tanks were rolling in towards Malacanang Palace. The Bedan rallyists were brought inside San Beda, and were assisted to the safety of their homes. It was learned later on that Enrile and Ramos resigned and defected from the Marcos administration earlier that evening. The following day, at Sto. Doming Church, Bedan law students decided to continue and heed the call of Cardinal Sin to go to Edsa. Some prepared the food to be brought to Edsa, others went to Radio Veritas to have the Bedan call announced over the radio, telephone brigades were mobilized, and the rest proceeded to Edsa to the designated place where Bedans shall encamp. The rest is history, and on the 26th of February 1986, the organizers offered a thanksgiving prayer and had lunch together at a house in Cubao. This untold story showed what People Power is all about – a) courage; b) unity; c) bayanihan spirit; and d) love of country. This untold story is all about the unsung heroes who courageously, though small in number initially, and bravely risked their lives, in the name of freedom and justice for all.
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