Catholic, non-Catholic schools in the Philippines suspend classes on EDSA Revolution’s anniversary

In a collective defiance to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s non-declaration of February 25 as a special non-working holiday, as has been traditionally observed, Catholic and non-Catholic schools across the country have suspended classes on the occasion of the 39th EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary tomorrow.

A Catholic bishop said the EDSA People Power Revolution reminds the people of the importance of justice and peace.

In a circular issued on February 21, Diocese of Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista said, “The struggle to depose a dictator was not borne out of some personal interests or any particular political ideology; rather, it emerged from a deep commitment in pursuit of liberty, truth, and justice.”

“Above all, it was driven by a profound sense of faith in the Lord that constantly seeks what is true, good, and noble, so that future generations will value the Lord’s gift of freedom,” Evangelista said.

Marcos is the son and namesake of the late Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., who was uninstalled from power after 21 years by a peaceful revolution at EDSA on February 25, 1986.

Marcos Sr. placed the entire Philippines under martial rule on September 21, 1972, claiming it was the last recourse to stop and crush the New People’s Army, the Communist Party of the Philippines, and the Moro secessionists in Mindanao, southern Philippines, at the time.

However, observers believed Marcos imposed martial rule to silence rivals and critics and disrupt the growing popular dissent among the people as part of his design to perpetuate himself in power. 

The 1935 Philippine Constitution allowed a president to serve only two consecutive four-year terms. Not qualified to run for a third term, Marcos announced Proclamation No. 1081 in the guise of curbing communism and secessionism.

He shut down seven television stations, more than 200 radio stations, and over a dozen national newspapers. State forces arrested and jailed non-leftist opposition leaders and citizens.

Based on the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, 11,000 people were victims of Marcos’ dictatorship from 1972 to 1986. More than 2,300 were killed and disappeared, and over 1900 were tortured.

Observers view the action of Marcos Jr. to not declare February 25 a special non-working holiday as part of his attempt to revise history. 

The Catholic Church played a major role in the EDSA People Power Revolution when the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin called on Filipinos to go to EDSA and to support the defense minister and the constabulary chief who defected from Marcos Sr.

The cardinal’s address was broadcast by Radio Veritas, which was still part of Radio Veritas Asia at the time.

The following are the schools that have suspended classes:

• Adamson University

• Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan Parochial Schools (AVCPS)

• Benilde Manila, Benilde Antipolo, Benilde Deaf School and Benilde Senior High

• Colegio de San Juan de Letran

• Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae – Philippine Schools Network (CICM-PSN) (Maryhill School of Theology, Saint Louis College – Cebu, Saint Louis College – San Fernando City, Saint Louis University, Saint Mary’s University and University of Saint Louis)

• All De La Salle Philippines schools

• All Diocese of Imus Catholic Educational System (DICES) schools

• Dominican School Manila

• Don Antonio de Zuzuarregui Sr. Memorial Academy

• Don Bosco Technical College – Cebu

• Edsa-Ortigas (Edsor) Consortium Schools (Immaculate Conception Academy, La Salle Green Hills, Saint Pedro Poveda College and Xavier School)

• Elizabeth Seton School

• Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation

• General De Jesus College

• Holy Child Catholic School

• Holy Family School of Quezon City

• Holy Trinity University, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

• Immaculate Conception School for Boys

• Imus Institute

• Kalookan Diocese Schools Association (De La Salle Araneta University, Immaculate Conception Academy of Malabon, La Consolacion College Caloocan, Notre Dame of Greater Manila, San Jose Academy, St. Gabriel Academy, St. James Academy, and St. Mary’s Academy)

• La Consolacion College Manila

• Malate Catholic School

• Maryhill College – Lucena City

• Notre Dame Siena College of Polomolok

• Northeastern Mindanao Colleges (NEMCO)

• Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu Parochial School

• Our Lady of Guadalupe Colleges

• All Pasig Diocesan Schools System schools

• Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila Educational System (RCAMES) Clusters 3 and 4 (Jaime Cardinal Sin Learning Center, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School, San Felipe Neri Parochial School, Holy Trinity Academy, Nazarene Catholic School, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School)

• RCAMES Cluster 5 and 6 (Espiritu Santo Parochial School, Holy Child Catholic School, Manila Cathedral School, St. Joseph School of Gagalangin, San Rafael Parochial School and San Pablo Apostol Learning Center)

• Siena College Quezon City

• Siena College of Taytay

• Stella Maris College Quezon City

• St. Bridget College, Batangas City

• St. James Academy Plaridel, Bulacan

• St. Joseph’s College of Quezon City and Rodriguez Campuses

• St. Mary’s Academy

• St. Michael Academy

• St. Scholastica’s Academy Pampanga

• St. Scholastica’s College Manila

• San Beda University – Manila and San Beda University – Rizal

• Sta. Catalina College

• Sto. Rosario Sapang Palay College

• University of the Assumption

• University of the East Manila and Caloocan

• University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu and Diliman

• University of San Carlos

• University of Santo Tomas (UST)

• UST Angelicum College

• Xavier School (San Juan and Nuvali)

Also, the following schools have implemented asynchronous or independent learning set-ups in observance of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Tuesday:

• Far Eastern University Manila and Makati (Independent study)

• Immaculate Heart of Mary College, Inc. – Quezon City (Asynchronous classes)

• Miriam College (formerly Maryknoll) (Asynchronous classes)

• UP Los Baños (Online asynchronous mode)