CEBU, Philippines – The University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu has declared a suspension of classes and work on February 25, the 39th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, in contrast to the Marcos administration’s downgrading of the celebration to a “special working day.”
This makes the constituent university the first to suspend classes in the UP system nationwide. UP Cebu was declared a constituent university of the UP system in 2016.
In an administrative order dated Tuesday, February 18, UP Cebu Chancellor Leo Malagar said the university, through its university council, declared February 25 as a “day of commemoration, remembrance, and reflection” for all of its students, faculty and staff.
“This day serves as an opportunity for the UP Cebu community to pause, reflect, and honor the significance of the EDSA People Power Revolution,” the chancellor said.
“It is a moment to remember the collective action that restored our democracy and to reaffirm our commitment to the values of freedom, unity, and social justice, which continue to shape our society today,” he added.
The administrative order also stated that students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate in discussions, forums, and activities that would promote historical awareness and critical thinking.
Essential university services that require continuous operation will still remain despite the suspension.
On October 30, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., declared the EDSA revolution anniversary a special working day through Presidential Proclamation 727.
Other universities, particularly top Catholic educational institutions, have declared the 1986 revolution anniversary a holiday in an effort “to keep the spirit of EDSA alive.”
UP Los Baños shifts to online
After UP Cebu made the announcement, UP Los Baños declared on Wednesday, February 19, that it would be shifting classes to online asynchronous mode on February 25 in observance of the celebration of the 1986 uprising.
“In observance of the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, the 25th day of February 2025, Tuesday, is hereby declared as an Alternative Learning Day,” UP Los Baños Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr. wrote in a memorandum.
Like Malagar, Camacho encouraged faculty to assign and participate in alternative learning activities on the day.
System-wide appeal
Regents of the UP system representing students, faculty and staff wrote to University of the Philippines President Angelo Jimenez on Tuesday, February 18, to declare February 25 a non-working holiday and an alternative learning day in the entire UP system.
“As a historically declared Non-Working Holiday, this is a clear attempt to distort our history and diminish the long struggle of the Filipino people against the Marcos Sr. dictatorship,” their letter read.
The sectoral regents emphasized the crucial role of the university during the Marcos regime, highlighting the efforts of past scholars who joined mobilizations during the First Quarter Storm and the Diliman Commune.
“The challenge remains for us to advance the spirit of EDSA People Power and continue the legacy of Renato Constantino, Voltaire Garcia, Antonio Hilario, Emmanuel Lacaba, Antonio Tagamolila, and Lorena Barros, among many other Iskolars ng Bayan who we remember as heroes today,” the letter concluded.
In a Facebook post, the UP Office of the Student Regent urged members of the UP community to join the activities and mobilizations set for February 25.
– Rappler.com