Layout by: Janaeka Villanueva
Published by: Jadelynn Arnigo
Date Published: October 3, 2025
Time Published: 4:29 PM
On a scorching hot day in Manila on September 21, peace is celebrated, yet bravery ignites.
At Luneta Park, a landmark that embodies the Filipino’s enduring spirit, was recently flooded not with rain, but by the citizens rising their voices and will to change the unjust system in their home country.
This date carries a heavy irony. It marks not only the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law but also the observance of National Peace Day—two events that stand in sharp contrast. And yet, here it also becomes the stage for the Anti-Corruption Rally, where Filipinos gather not to stir conflict, but to demand change from a system that has long failed them.
But why are these movements necessary? Are these just for show? Or are these movements the steps of change we have long been waiting for? History and today's unfolding events may offer answers.
However, amidst all of this, one thing is certain. Regardless of political color, we are still Filipinos, the tan-skinned citizens of the Philippines. It is not each other we must fight, but the broken system we live in. And on this day, peace is not only remembered—it is redefined through the courage of Filipinos standing together to right what is wrong and fight what has long been unfought.
So, to wake the slumbered and to voice out the silenced, let us go through what these days are really all about and what drives the Filipino citizens to make a revolution that brings light to the long-rusted system that corrupts everyone's future.
THE BLOOD-INKED HISTORY: THE MARTIAL LAW AND EDSA REVOLUTION
On a silent Thursday midnight in September 1972, the Philippines suddenly turned from a country of democracy to a place where terror and fear were evident.
The former president Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed this law as a last resort to what he described as the increasing rebellions of students, as well as threats from the communists and Muslims who were against the system back then.
The free country turned upside down as military authority took over. The voices and bodies of the brave citizens who challenged the very government were shaken and terrified in an instant, with just a gun and a threat.
Under the regime, crimes under international law and human rights violations were unleashed. Arbitrary arrests and detention, brutal torture, forced disappearances, and killings were seen during that time. Wide roads turned into battlefields and lives into bloodbaths. Church workers, human rights defenders, legal aid lawyers, labor leaders, and journalists—over 50,000 people who had nothing to do with the revolution—were affected, some even losing their lives along the way while defending their rights accordingly.
This seemingly never-ending cycle was put to a finish by Marcos on January 17, 1981, finally bringing relief to the citizens as they recovered from the trauma they would never forgive and forget. However, as he continued his term, the system never changed, and people’s anger never subsided. This stagnant term drove the Filipinos to create another revolution that would show who really had the power.
From February 22 to 25, 1986, five years after martial law was lifted, the People Power Revolution—more commonly known as the EDSA Revolution—occurred. Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos gathered on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) to protest against President Marcos and his long-overdue authoritarian presidency. The four-day revolution caused Marcos to step down and Corazon Aquino to lead. On that very day, the Filipinos saw hope, entrusting Aquino to lead the country better. However, unknowingly, the system would continue, creating endless dynasties and connections that would abuse the masses' money and rights.
The blood-inked history is what drives the citizens to right what is wrong and to protect what is ours. These movements serve as an inspiration that we have the power. However, as long as unqualified people corrupt politics, we will never get the Philippines we hope for. That is why another one happened on the same day, but in 2025. Different eras, same finesse, and same sacrifices that must not be in vain—to hopefully make a move for a better Philippines and to hold people accountable for the country’s projects that have long been ghosted.
THE HISTORY REWRITTEN: THE ANTI-CORRUPTION RALLY
When martial law caused fear in the country, today, on the same day, the anti-corruption rally instills bravery among the citizens as they protest against the long-corrupted government.
Several parts of Manila and other areas of the country were filled with over 130,000 rallyists aiming to voice out their rights. The movement was also called "Baha sa Luneta," a name derived from the anomalies in the budget for flood control projects in the Philippines, which caused infrastructure delays and led to homes and lives being destroyed and lost. This movement doesn’t just call out the anomalies but also the corruption in the government, driven by dynasties and politicians who keep pointing fingers at each other.
“You see a lot of Filipinos suffering, and that’s what they’ll do to the country’s money?” said Jasper Lota, a 16-year-old student residing in a flood-prone province in Bulacan. She stated that punishments for something as small as a bag of rice come quickly in contrast to corruption and anomalies, which take so long to be resolved. This is one of the many grievances of the Filipinos in the rally. Citizens who work day and night, showering in sweat and earning dimes, are grieving that their taxes are not being spent well but are instead being taken advantage of.
However, in the midst of seriousness and tension, many were seen holding placards in the rally, stating witty yet timely phrases about the recent issues in the country. This shows that even in heated rallies and arguments, Filipino humor and creativity are not to be underestimated. In some places, rallyists were also seen singing together the National Anthem and Upuan by Gloc 9, showcasing their talents that go beyond the floods and ghost projects they are protesting against.
Filipinos are truly the personification of Bayanihan. The core essence of unity and creativity is still evident even in times of seriousness. Yet, the mission never changes. The movement happened because there is something wrong with the system. “This is just the beginning,” said Rep. Chel Diokno. “This corruption has been happening for a long time, but no one has been punished for it. And it’s about time that people satisfy their need for accountability,” he added.
These movements are not in vain but are the start of something bigger. The anti-corruption rally is done to show that we have the power, and we are the patrons of our country's change. Through us, a better Philippines is possible through peace and change.
THE HISTORY'S THEME: THE IRONY OF PEACE AND HOPE OF CHANGE
Amidst the long terror of martial law and now the loud call against corruption in the anti-corruption rally, one celebration is just as important: the International Day of Peace.
This day was established by unanimous United Nations resolutions for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace—a day where tranquility is observed and conflict and violence are nowhere to be found.
This celebration comes with heavy irony as martial law and the anti-corruption rally occur—two events where conflict is seen and talked about, and violence is even evident. However, to achieve peace, there must be awareness, and this is what these movements aim to do: shed light on the unaware, on how history is truly written, and on what is truly unjust.
These movements are not merely to cause conflict but rather to achieve peace. The unity of Filipinos shows that everyone wants a better system for our motherland—a system where public servants do what must be done and people’s taxes are allocated properly; a system built on trust and honesty is a system where we’ll truly achieve peace.
These movements may come off as an irony of peace; however, they are also the steps and hope for change. This has been a long battle that caused bloodbaths and sacrifices, which wrote history and inspired others. But when there is unity—in seriousness and in humor—peace is certain, not in an instant, but in gradual time. Because the battle has just begun, and we’ve got all the power to win this.
REFERENCES:
[1] Carolina G. Hernandez Professor Emeritus, U. of the P.-D., Michael Cullinane Associate Director, C. for S. A. S., & All. (2025, September 19). History. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Martial-law
[2] Five things to know about martial law in the Philippines. Amnesty International. (2022, September 21). https://www.amnesty.org/.../five-things-to-know-about.../
[3] The People Power Revolution, Philippines 1986. Origins. (n.d.). https://origins.osu.edu/.../people-power-revolution...
[4] Time. (2025, September 21). Why floods are bringing Filipino protesters to the streets. Time. https://time.com/.../philippines-flood-control-projects.../
[5] Witty slogans, protest art are all the rage in Filipinos’ flood control corruption rallies. Rappler. (n.d.). https://www.rappler.com/.../witty-slogans-protest-art.../
[6] International Day of Peace. (n.d.). https://internationaldayofpeace.org/
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