ShareThisPresident rallies students in yellow ribbon mural
PASIG CITY — Live out the essence of EDSA, President Benigno Aquino III told over a thousand students who lined up to form a yellow ribbon mural at the Rizal High School in Pasig City in commemoration of the historic EDSA 1 revolt.
REMEMBERING EDSA PEOPLE POWER. President Benigno S. Aquino III, former President Fidel Ramos, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Gregorio Honasan watch the 10-minute video presentation of what transpired inside the Department of National Defense Conference Room. 25 years ago, during the opening of the DND Mini-Museum at theCamp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The historic conference room was the site where then Gen. Ramos and Defense Secretary e Enrile held the press conference to announce their withdrawal of support to the late President Ferdinand Marcos. This room has now been converted into a museum as part of the EDSA legacies in celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolt of 1986. The blessing was officiated by AFP chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Arnold Magana.
“What is the spirit of EDSA? That’s when the world saw that Filipinos can fight for what is right, when they feel the need to stand up for their fellowmen. These values can lead us to real changes,” he said during the “Pilipinas Got Bukas” program in the school with highest number of students in the country.
“Sometimes, we should be selfless, and, instead, do what we can do to help the country,”
said Aquino, the only son of People Power icons Benigno Aquino Jr. and Corazon Aquino, as he lauded the students who participated in the event.
He congratulated Rizal High School for producing quality statesmen like Senators Jovito Salonga, Neptali Gonzales and Rene Saguisag.
He also cited the exemplary doings of Dingdong Dantes by helping Yes Pinoy Foundation, a non-government organization that provides educational scholarships to young people and inculcates the value of helping others realize their dreams and ambitions.
It aims to help build a new generation of globally-competitive Filipinos with compassion for the welfare of his fellowmen, especially those men and women who render selfless public service.
Aquino challenged the youth to take advantage of the government’s programs which is geared at providing scholarships and other poverty alleviation project.
President Aquino called on the Filipino youth to instill in them the spirit of volunteerism in serving others as he noted the very important role they play in nation building.
In addressing the participants during the Youth Day dubbed as “Pilipinas Got Bukas” at the Rizal High School in Pasig City, the Chief Executive urged the youth to practice the attitude of “concern for others,” which, he said, is a key to the nation’s progress.
The President stressed that the same spirit of “concern for others” was the evident formula used by Filipinos in ending the regime of dictatorship in 1986.
“Ang Edsa Revolution ay pagsasama-sama ng sambayanan… magkakatabi kahit di man magkakakilala pero pinanindigan na ngayon na ang panahon para tumayo, lumaban para sa kalayaan, may malasakit sa kapwa,” the President said.
“Yung malasakit sa kapwa ang magdadala sa atin sa pag-angat. Yung pag-unawa, pag-intindi, pakikisama, pag-aaruga sa ating kapwa… yan ang susi para mapabilis ang ating inaasam-asam na Bagong Pilipinas,” he noted.
President Aquino vowed to uplift the standard of living of the people, especially those underprivileged, to ensure that their children would stay in school and pursue education for a better future.
He said that a total of 13,000 additional classrooms will be built within the year 2011 apart from the health, shelter and financial support from the government in efforts to ensure a more equipped society in the near future.
“Plipinas Got Bukas” was organized by the Edsa People Power Commission (EPPC), in cooperation with the YES Pinoy Foundation, headed by actor Dingdong Dantes for the 25th anniversary of Edsa People Power. It was participated in by Yes Pinoy members, “EDSA babies”, students, youth leaders and organizations with the aim to engage the youth towards volunteerism for change.
One of the event highlights was the gathering of thousands of young people on the oval of the world’s largest secondary school (Rizal High School) to form a human banner symbolizing their readiness to take on the future.
Also part of the celebration is the EDSA Babies Exposition featuring exhibits from various youth-oriented groups from the government and private sector. Top celebrities including Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez and Jaya will perform for free at the SM North Skydome.
Later in the day, hundreds of top graduating high school and college students will gather for a night of fellowship that will feature musical performances and inspirational talks by young leaders also at the SM North Skydome