ILOILO City – Several schools in this city have suspended classes or shifted to online learning in observance of the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution today.
While Malacañang Palace declared February 25 as a working holiday, many schools chose to suspend classes, allowing students time to reflect on this historic event.
Among the schools that announced class suspensions is the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) in La Paz district.
WIT released a statement highlighting the importance of the EDSA People Power Revolution in restoring democracy and fostering political, social, and economic reforms in the country. The school encouraged its faculty, staff, and students to honor the values of unity, freedom, and democracy.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., had declared February 25, 2025 not a nonworking holiday, drawing criticism from various sectors. Many view this as an attempt to downplay the importance of the 1986 revolution, which peacefully toppled the authoritarian regime of his father, Ferdinand E. Marcos, and restored democracy in the country.
Assumption Iloilo also suspended classes and work for today. It urged its community to use the day to reflect on the significance of the EDSA revolution.
As part of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Assumption emphasized its shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and justice, and recognized the EDSA spirit as a symbol of the people’s power to create change through solidarity and peaceful means.
Angelicum Iloilo, in a similar move, shifted to asynchronous online classes. It encouraged students to engage in activities such as film viewings, reflections, and interactive discussions, aiming to deepen their understanding of the revolution’s relevance.
The school underscored the importance of remembering the lessons of EDSA and ensuring its legacy is passed on to future generations.
Angelicum’s student publication, Angelicus, has also organized an online essay writing and poster-making contest to keep the EDSA spirit alive among students.
Earlier, Central Philippine University (CPU) and the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) in Miag-ao, Iloilo also declared class suspensions while allowing alternative learning methods.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that regular classes will continue in all public schools today, as there was no executive order from Malacañang or DepEd Order declaring a suspension.
DepEd Region 6 information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. emphasized that since February 25 is a working holiday, public school classes and work will proceed as usual. However, DepEd respects the autonomy of private schools that choose to suspend classes./PN
