People Power Monument
Description
The monument is set atop an elevated position and is pyramidal in composition. The first and middle tiers are composed of statues of people from all sectors of the society. The first tier is composed of a chain of men and women with arms linked together. One man at the end of the chain, who is identified as Ninoy Aquino, is pointing towards EDSA Shrine and the Ortigas Area.
The middle tier represents various people, young and old, who had joined the protest; some of the statues are that of a musician, a mother carrying an infant, a man sporting the "Laban" sign, and priests and nuns. On the top tier of the monument is a towering female figure with arms raised toward the sky. The figure have unchained shackles on her wrist which represent freedom. From the back of the composition rises a large flag and staff.
As with any other artistic works in the Philippines, the monument is protected by copyright according to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
November 2016 protests
In November 2016, the monument became a gathering point where anti-Marcos groups, Martial Law victims and political figures gathered at the monument to denounce the surprise burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Hero's Cemetery) that took place on November 18, 2016. Protesters condemned the hero's burial citing wide-scale plunder and human rights abuses during the Marcos dictatorship. Members and former members of the Cabinet were among the protesters.
7 Symbols of Peace nomination
In May 2018, the monument was nominated as one of the seven symbols of world peace through the #7Peace #PeoplePower initiative.
Gallery
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Plaque beneath the Benigno Aquino statue -
National Historical Commission Marker
See also
- Ferdinand Marcos
- EDSA Revolution of 2001
- EDSA Shrine
- Bantayog ng mga Bayani
- EDSA Tres
- Joseph Estrada
- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
- People Power Revolution