THE ORIGIN
Palatuntunang walang kinatatakutan, sapagkat ang pangahas nito’y kapangyarihan na nagmumula sa mamamayan: “PEOPLE POWER!”
(The program that fears no one because its courage comes the power of the people: “PEOPLE POWER!”)
Every morning, I would always say this phrase as a standard intro for my program “Metro Manila Banat” with Pareng Caloy on DzRH. We started using the phrase People Power in 1976. Martial Law was still in effect at that time. After 10 years, in 1986, People Power became the byword of EDSA, spread throughout Philippines, resounded all over the world.
THE LEGACY
The “People Power” that overthrew former President Ferdinand Marcos is the same one that unseated Slobadan Milosevic, the dictator of Yugoslavia. People Power also happened in Nepal, Myanmar, Romania, Czech Republic, Korea, Germany and the latest was the People Power in Egypt. Even though my partner, Pareng Caloy, has passed on, his memory will remain alive with this legacy.
The greatest legacy of Pareng Rey and Pareng Caloy. AND THE REST IS HISTORY!
BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION
Everything started at noon on Sunday, August 21, 1983. On board Flight 811 of China Airlines was Marcial Bonifacio, the alias used by Sen. Ninoy Aquino. It landed in Manila International Airport.
On the radio, only music could be heard because this was usually the day of rest for regular reporters and anchors. I had a live program then on DzRH. As soon as I received classified information, I immediately scrambled up some reporters. I sent Aya Yupangco, Jim Ferrer, and Manny Bal to the airport. And it was on my program that the detailed live coverage of the events that were to unfold was heard.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Ninoy had a standing threat to his life should he come back to the country. And on this day, the terrible event that would change the lives of Filipinos occurred.
It happened fast, followed by the statement:
“Pusila, pusila…..Eto na, eto na… Ako na, ako na!”
The sound of gunshots filled the air as Sen. Ninoy Aquino was assassinated. All these were first heard by the country through my live broadcast on DzRH.
EVADE CAPTURE
“Mula po dito sa Cebu, pabalik na ako diyan sa Maynila. Maraming salamat sa iyo, Ginoong Rey Langit, sa impormasyon mong ito. Sa ating mga kababayan, panatiliin natin ang ating pananalig sa Poong Maykapal.”
(From here in Cebu, I am en route to Manila. Thank you, Mister Rey Langit, for this information. To my countrymen, let us remain firm in our faith in God Almighty.”)
These were the words that were uttered by then-President Corazon Aquino in an interview with Deo Macalma while she was on a civil disobedience campaign in Cebu. The military tanks were then waiting for her return at the domestic airport on the orders of Gen. Fabian Ver. Mrs. Aquino was again able to avoid certain danger.
DEFECTION
From the side of General Fabian Ver, Gen. Eddie Ermite switched sides and immediately connected me to then-Gen. Fidel V. Ramos to air his words.
“Thank you so much, Rey, sa pagkakataong ito na binigay mo sa akin. This is my first time to be heard in the outside world.”
(Thank you so much, Rey, for this chance you have given me. This is my first time to be heard in the outside world.)
These were part of the former President’s famous words in my interview with him live from his encampment in Camp Crame.
APPEAL FROM THE CARDINAL
“Nais kong ulitin, Rey, na magsama-sama tayong lahat sa EDSA. Sa mga mamamayan, magtungyo tayo sa EDSA sa gayon mailigtas natin ang buhay nina Minister Enrile at General Ramos.”
(I would like to repeat, Rey, let us all meet in EDSA. To the people, let us go to EDSA so we can save Minister Enrile and General Ramos’ lives.)
This was Jaime Cardinal Sin’s message as aired on our broadcast coverage. His contribution to the success of the EDSA revolution cannot be disputed.
UNSUNG HEROES
It was here that I experienced going on air for 53 hours straight. I had no sleep, no rest but I was full of excitement and experienced so many incomparable events. Our inspiration was to serve the country through the media. I may have failed to mention all the names of the people I have worked with at this time, and some have already passed on, their memories are alive within us as we hail them the “Unsung Heroes” of media.
QUOTABLE QUOTES
“Truth is powerful and it prevails.” – Sojourner Truth
“I am not interested in power for power’s sake, but I’m interested in power that is
moral, that is right and that is good.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.