In celebration of the twenty-five years since the historic EDSA People Power Revolution in February of 1986, here's a new version of my 2008 MV of 'Handog ng Pilipino Sa Mundo,' composed in March 1986 by none other than OPM icon and Apo Hiking Society member, Jim Paredes.
Happy EDSA @ 25! =)
[Special thanks to our dear friend, NinoyAquinoTV, for all the help!] :-)
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In February 1986, the People of the Philippines showed the world how to restore democracy peacefully and through democratic ways.
After twenty years of enduring the iron-fist rule of President Ferdinand Marcos and his flamboyant wife, Imelda - a regime touted as the 'conjugal dictatorship,' the people showed their might and proved that through unity, no power on earth can crush their aspirations for greater freedom.
For four days, Filipinos from many walks of life went out into the streets, after witnessing the stolen victory won by the dictator in the recently-concluded snap presidential elections -- calling for the restoration of democratic institutions and the full respect of human rights.
Backed by the influential Catholic Church and the final withdrawal of support of the military from the regime, the millions of civilians who flocked to EDSA - the Epifanio de Los Santos Avenue - did not stand by and allow blood to flow in the streets, stopping tanks and soldiers by kneeling in front of them, many armed only with rosaries and bibles, holding up statues of the Blessed Mother, giving the soldiers flowers and offering them comfort and nourishments.
With the indescribable power of the people being manifested, the Marcos dictatorship finally collapsed, sending President Marcos and his allies out of the country and into exile.
The people finally triumphed - and installed the leader of the opposition, the wife of the assassinated freedom-fighter Ninoy Aquino, Corazon Aquino, as the President of the now-free and democratic Philippines.
Many all over the globe admired the courage shown by Filipinos, and did the same in their own homelands, toppling brutal dictatorships and successfully installing new democratic governments through non-violent means.
After twenty-five years since that great February, when we, the Filipino People, offered everything, even our very lives, for the democracy and freedoms that our forefathers fought for, the spirit of EDSA must never be extinguished from our hearts.
Though our country's progress have been marred by unfortunate events numerous times over the past twenty-five years, we must still remember in our hearts and minds that we should be, nevertheless, thankful that we enjoy the freedoms that Ninoy, Cory and the Filipino People sacrificed so much for and that we can certainly feel the immeasurable democratic space.
As you are reading this, let us remember that famous quote of Benigno Aquino, Jr.:
"The Filipino is worth dying for."
And what Cory Aquino showed us as she guarded our democracy until her very last breath - that the Filipino is indeed worth LIVING FOR!
-PilipinasMabuhay100, 2.25.2011
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'Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo,' (The Gift of the Filipinos to the World), was composed in early 1986 in honour of the People Power Revolution which toppled the repressive dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.
Composed by Jim Paredes of the APO Hiking Society shortly after the revolt, fellow famous Filipino singers joined him in making the official music video of 'Handog,' which was eventually aired in a number of major television stations. Every year, during the anniversary of the revolution, this famous song would be continuously played as it reminds us of the finest hours of the People of the Philippines, showing the world how to bring back democracy through peaceful means.
"Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo"
- by Jim Paredes of APO Hiking Society
Sung by various artists
'Di na 'ko papayag mawala ka muli.
'Di na 'ko papayag na muli mabawi,
Ating kalayaan kay tagal natin mithi.
'Di na papayagang mabawi muli.
Magkakapit-bisig libo-libong tao.
Kay sarap palang maging Pilipino.
Sama-sama iisa ang adhikain.
Kelan man 'di na paalipin.
Ref:
Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat.
Masdan ang nagaganap sa aming bayan.
Nagkasama ng mahirap at mayaman.
Kapit-bisig madre, pari, at sundalo.
Naging Langit itong bahagi ng mundo.
Huwag muling payagang umiral ang dilim.
Tinig ng bawat tao'y bigyan ng pansin.
Magkakapatid lahat sa Panginoon.
Ito'y lagi nating tatandaan.
(Repeat refrain two times)
Coda:
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan.
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat!
~~~~~
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(HD) Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo Edsa 25by ABSCBNOnline11,396 views
GANDA!! PROUD PINOY!!
mae3005mae 1 year ago
GANDA!!!
LABAN :)
iluvkrisaquino 1 year ago 2