1986 People Power Revolution - a non-violent protest which took place February 22 to 25, 1986 and led to the departure of a dictator.
On the 39th Commemoration of the EDSA People Power day, I woke up grieving the death of my childhood best friend, Tucker. I’ve never experienced a close personal death before until the day our pamilia’s aso died. His death is the only one I’ve ever mourned in my whole life. I love him so much and on this day he helped connect my grief to the countless pinoy lives that were brutalized, stifled, and destroyed, due to the U.S Marcos regime: Martial Law. I learned during this march that the Pilipino people were so tired of being abused, scammed, and murdered so millions took to the streets for days of protesting on February 22nd - February 25th 1986.
That’s so many people I’m connected to physically and spiritually that was severed emotionally by being born FilAm.
If you’re born in the United States then you’re beyond lucky and with this luck you better breed the generational curse of avoidance. Assimilation was a good excuse to not have to talk about the history of horrors that the U.S Marcos regime or any evil president that the many colonial entities blessed upon the Pilipinas.
In 2023, from Los Angeles I flew to the Pilipinas for the first time, and it changed how I viewed my cultural love forever. How deep and painful the suffering of the Pilipino spirit continues on today. It’s 2025 and the current president continues the plight of corrupt political dynasties, worsening food insecurity and poverty; there’s much darkness that seems hopeless.
Yet here I am meeting the most dedicated group of volunteers I’ve ever met (in photos: SAKA). Yet here I am meeting friends that treat me as family after isa lang meeting. Yet here I am, in a country that my family fears, feeling the most empowered and hopeful that reconnects me back to their ancestral love.
Dreams come before the reality to uplift you and make you realize that kapwa is the true power of the Pilipino people. For the rest of my life I hope to honor every Pinoy martyr that sacrificed their lives just so the Pilipinas could stand and gather never-ending strength.
About the Author:
Lle Bollè is a musician, filmmaker, and activist currently residing in Quezon City. “Both of my parents are Pinoy, and located in the U.S with the majority of my family. To flow with and center our diverse heritage is a gift, I hope to connect and create with many people to uplift and respect our community.” - Lle
