Cebu City and provincial leaders, together with the Catholic Church and civic groups, will lead the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution on Wednesday, February 25.
The observance, called SuPaKK 2.0 (Sugboanong Pakigbisog Kontra Korapsyon), will include a Holy Mass, simultaneous church bell tolling, a peaceful march, and a solidarity concert promoting unity and vigilance against corruption.
The event is organized by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu in partnership with the Cebu Provincial Government and Cebu City Government.
Activities will begin at 1:45 p.m. with a Mass at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Pilgrim Center. Volunteer Brenette Abrenica said the early schedule allows workers and students, despite February 25 being a special working holiday, to participate in key moments of the program.
At exactly 3 p.m., churches across the Archdiocese will toll their bells simultaneously for one minute.
Archbishop José S. Uy will issue a pastoral letter urging all parishes to participate in the synchronized bell ringing as a “resounding message” that Cebuanos have not forgotten the historic 1986 People Power Revolution.
The bell tolling will be followed by a collective affirmation at the Basilica’s Pilgrim Center, inviting students, workers, and the laity to reflect on the significance of EDSA.
Afterward, church bells will toll again to signal the start of a peaceful march from the Basilica to Plaza Independencia.
At the plaza, participants will gather at the Martial Law marker for a short offering of flowers and prayers, symbolically reenacting the peaceful resistance that defined EDSA.
Organizers are preparing 1,000 rosaries and flowers for distribution during the ceremony.
The afternoon activities will culminate with “Yukbo: Ang Konsiyerto” at Plaza Independencia, a solidarity concert featuring local artists including Ferdinand Aragon, ARZA, Artpression, Kent Charcos, Hometown Kids, Belamour, Mr. Moustache, Nomer, Girl Monday, Rolly Wagas, Rommel Tuico & The Brews, Jewel Villaflores, Iping Amores, The Wonggoys, Yo Emperado, and Missing Filemon.
In a message read by Msgr. Renato Beltran during the press briefing, Archbishop Uy highlighted three reasons for Cebuanos to join the observance.
First, he described EDSA as part of the country’s “moral identity,” a stand against dictatorship, corruption, and abuse of power.
Second, he stressed that freedom is still being tested amid ongoing corruption, poverty, and fragile public trust.
“EDSA was not the end of the struggle — it was the beginning of a responsibility,” his message read.
Third, he emphasized the importance of remembering EDSA for the next generation, warning that forgetting the event risks normalizing corruption and silence in the face of abuse.
“In one line, to join EDSA is to choose memory over forgetfulness, courage over indifference, and hope over cynicism,” Uy said.
Organizers encouraged participants to wear white as a symbol of peace and unity. Those without white clothing may instead wear white wristbands, armbands, or headbands.
Abrenica said SuPaKK 2.0 aims to recreate the spirit of unity witnessed 40 years ago — “young and old alive” in shared remembrance — while calling for integrity, accountability, and active citizenship today. (LLP)
