04 March 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Wellington and the Office of the Philippine Honorary Consul in Auckland, New Zealand joined Filipinos back home in the Philippines and all over the world in commemorating the 27th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25 by holding the first-ever photo exhibit on the significant events that happened on 25 February 1986.
Thirty-one (31) photographs depicting various scenes and events showing how peace- loving Filipinos led a successful People’s Power Revolution in EDSA 27 years ago can be viewed at the Philippine Embassy for one month starting February 21. The Philippine Embassy distributed yellow ribbons for all the guests to pin on their shirts on this special occasion.
Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez and the Philippine Embassy Team led the flag-raising ceremony together with the officers and members of the Aotearoa Philippines Photographic Society (APPS) and several members of the Filipino community in Parliament and other places in New Zealand and other countries. A special thanksgiving prayer was offered by Third Secretary Glenn Obach and the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the photo exhibition was led by Ambassador Benavidez together with Mr. Mon V. Monreal, President of APPS and Third Secretary Obach.
In her speech, Ambassador Benavidez stated that the historic events of 25 February 1986 unfailingly fill the hearts and minds of Filipinos with great pride and overwhelming nationalistic fervor. Compelling images of the EDSA People’s Power Revolution showing the bravery and fortitude of the Filipino people holding candles, rosaries, flowers, and fervently praying, singing and generously offering food to soldiers and facing tanks and the military, all in the name of restoring democracy and freedom captured the attention and emotion of Filipinos, New Zealanders and other foreign guests.
Photos on the critical phases and events portrayed the triumph of spirit and unity of purpose as the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution is remembered and celebrated every year. The guests, who filled the Chancery to overflowing, were deeply touched by the reminiscences and recollections of the miracle that was EDSA.
“Fast forward today, the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino is the proud torch bearer of the democratic principles bequeathed by EDSA. Under his exemplary leadership, the Philippines has rediscovered its moorings as a free country where honesty, integrity, hard work, credibility and conviction prevail. His reform agenda to get rid of corruption, to promote good governance, accountability and transparency and follow the straight and righteous path according to the rule of law has made the Philippines grow at 6.6% in 2012, exceeding forecasts and making the country among Asia’s best performing economies and is now being called by foreign financial and investment analysts as a ‘new tiger,’ a ‘break out nation’ and an ‘economic powerhouse’ despite the global economic difficulties. Anti-poverty programs, mainly conditional cash transfers programs for the poorest of the poor which gave lifelines to more than 3 million Filipinos last year, groundbreaking achievements to provide greater healthcare and education coverage for those who need them the most and the launch of the K to 12 program to upgrade the Philippine education build on what EDSA truly means to all Filipinos,” Ambassador Benavidez said.
For me, the people’s power in EDSA will always stand for E-enduring legacy, D-defining moment, S-shining example, A-awesome testimony.” This is in keeping with this year’s theme, ‘Pilipinas Natin, Abot Tanaw 
Na’ A peaceful, progressive and prosperous Philippines is now within our reach,” the Ambassador added.
A lunch fellowship and lively interaction among Embassy personnel, Filipino community members, New Zealanders and foreign guests continued to heighten the significance and spirit of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
The video documentaries on “Ninoy: The Heart and The Soul” and “Puso at Diwa ni Ninoy” were shown and links to the website of Radio TV Malacañang were given to guests for them to view and appreciate more this meaningful chapter in Philippine history.
Mr. Monreal conveyed the deep appreciation of the APPS members for inviting them to participate in the first commemorative activity and said that the photo exhibition enabled some of their members who were still too young in 1986 to better understand and appreciate more deeply the significance and historical importance of the EDSA People Power Revolution. He thanked Ambassador Benavidez for the update on the progress of the Philippines and said that despite setbacks and hindrances to growth, “the country carries on-proving to all that kaya natin to.”
A similar photo exhibition was launched at the Office of Philippine Honorary Consul Paulo Garcia in Auckland and a flag-raising ceremony, thanksgiving prayer, breakfast and morning tea fellowship and opening remarks by Mr. Jun Relos, President of the Filipino Association of Fiji and a speech by Philippine Honorary Consul to Suva, Fiki Dr. Virgilio de Asa.
The text and video message of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the commemorative activities for the 27th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution are being featured in the websites and facebook links of the Philippine Embassy, the Office of the Philippine Honorary Consul in Auckland and disseminated to all Filipino organizations in New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga. END