Commemorating the mark of the EDSA People Power’s 40th anniversary, the CEAP successfully initiated a two-day event held last February 24-25, 2026 at the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) and Miriam College Innovation Center.
The event entitled, “EDSA Remembering Courage, Acting for Liberty and Lasting Change (RECALL) Youth Summit” convened over 300 attendees, including, student leaders and teachers from different regions in the Philippines to engage in immersive, reflective, critical and commemorative activities — from plenary sessions, educational tours, the awarding of the EDSA Kwarenta Contest winners and a culminating novena and community mass in day one and day two.
Plenary Session: EDSA People Power—History and Values
Officially inaugurating the first day of the 2026 EDSA Recall Youth Summit, Fr. Roberto C. Yap, S.J., President of the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) delivered his welcome message, highlighting the significant role of remembering EDSA People Power history in inspiring the next generation towards meaningful and positive civic action that responds to the current challenges of our nation.
Following the welcoming remarks from Ateneo, Fr. Wilmer S. Tria, CEAP Vice President, underscored in his opening message that as educators and school administrators in Catholic schools, “We must not underestimate the power of the youth in making a difference.”
Mr. Narcy F. Ador Dionisio, Executive Director of CEAP, further highlighted in the overview of the program the call for the youth delegates to meaningfully utilize the EDSA Youth Summit as a platform to critically think about their place and contribution to Philippine democracy.
On Day 1 of the EDSA Recall Youth Summit, Dr. Xiao Chua, Assistant Professor at the De La Salle University Manila, delivered a keynote message, highlighting, “I, like many of the youth, was not at EDSA. But the nation is being passed on to us.” His message pointed to the weight and social responsibility of becoming good bearers of the nation’s future.
The plenary session was then followed by a discussion with Atty. Butch Abad, Professor of Practice at the Ateneo Law School, Sr. Mary John Manzanan, Directress of St. Scholastica Academy Pampanga, and Mr. Carlo Flores, Executive Director of Team Pinas Youth. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Galvin Ngo, Director of Ateneo Institute for the Science and Art of Learning and Teaching (SALT) and Senior Fellow at the Ateneo Martial Law Museum and Library.
The panelists reflected on personal stories during the 1986 uprising, and the continuing relevance of EDSA in today’s social and political landscape. The reactors and moderator challenged the youth to carry forward the stories of EDSA by embodying political and collective will to contribute to societal transformation.
“On February 22, I was discussing with Lean Alejandro regarding the possible scenarios. An EDSA bloodless revolution never came into mind. EDSA was a brief but shining moment. It proved that people who are united toward a common goal are powerful enough to oust a dictator. It gave hope for the future and a chance to effect a comprehensive social transformation,” expressed Sr. Mary John Manzanan, OSB in response to Dr. Xiao Chua’s plenary discussion.
Cultivating the participants’ critical and spiritual reflection during the EDSA RECALL Youth Summit — youth delegates, teachers, chaperones and CEAP representatives then attended the community mass at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.
Participants also took part in an educational tour at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani and a campus walk tour at Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), featuring the Old and New Rizal Library, Campus Ministry Building and the Zen Garden.
To deepen the youth delegates understanding of the narratives during the EDSA revolution, martial law survivors served as educational tour facilitators at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, leading the youth delegates in interactive storytelling and dialogue.
As a culminating activity, youth delegates, teachers and CEAP constituents gathered at the EDSA Shrine for an afternoon plenary session, entitled, “The Life and Legacy of Cardinal Jaime Sin and the EDSA Revolution” and a novena mass.
In his keynote message, Rev. Msgr. Gerry Santos urged attendees to be wise about the freedom they now inherit from the sacrifices of the people who fought against Marcos’ dictatorship, “Freedom is not a license to do whatever you want, whenever you want, and with whoever you want to do it. Choices should always be in the service of the truth and the good.”
Plenary Session: The Philippine Political Situation—Corruption and Political Dynasties
To kick off Day 2 of the EDSA RECALL Youth Summit, Ms. Nikki Frias, Senior Program Officer of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), led the youth delegates in a spiritual conversation, fostering connections among students and encouraging deeper reflection on their role in remembering the legacy of EDSA.
Serving as the main plenary speaker on Day 2, Mr. Karlo Abadines, Executive Director of SLB, examined the persistent ills of Philippine democracy. He shed light on the entrenched political dynasties that deepen corruption and social inequity, urging the youth to become critical student leaders.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Philippine elections, Mr. Abadines encouraged the youth delegates to rise as leaders who, amid the noise and disinformation, listen attentively and respond meaningfully to the needs of communities on the ground.
He underscored that authentic leadership and the strengthening of democracy begin with listening and fostering dialogues at the grassroots and community level where student leaders’ are called to serve and to stand against corruption, misinformation and political dynasties.
After the plenary session on Day 2, C&E Publishing Representative, Ms. Mary Anne Eugenio, together with the CEAP Vice President, Fr. Wilmer Tria, presented the winners of the 2026 EDSA Kwarenta Contest. The awarding ceremony presented awards in the first, second and third place of the Essay, Sanaysay and Digital Illustrations contest categories.
The EDSA Kwarenta Contest aims to showcase the diverse talents of the Filipino youth in writing and digital illustration, while instilling the importance of reckoning history and using their creativity to navigate persisting social and political issues in our nation.
Harnessing the insights they gathered from day one and day two into radical social action — the participants, headed by Fr. Wilmer Tria, courageously joined the “Tayo ang People Power March” at the EDSA People Power Monument.
To officially close the 2026 EDSA RECALL Youth Summit, the CEAP conducted a second awarding and celebratory ceremony for the EDSA Kwarenta contest winners, and invited all participants to attend the community mass at EDSA Shrine.
In the community and solemn mass, Archbishop Socrates “Bishop Soc” B. Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan” cited the need to move beyond memory — emphasizing the urgency of social action. He urged the Catholic church saying, “We do not bask in nostalgia. We confront our betrayals, repent, and rise. Our wine is running out.”
As part of CEAP’s JEEPGY (Justice, Ecology, Engaged Citizenship, Poverty Alleviation, Gender Equality, and Youth Empowerment) mission, the 2026 EDSA RECALL Youth Summit affirms that Catholic education must form student leaders who wholeheartedly offer their talents and intellect in service of both God and nation.
By resisting oppression, advocating for the marginalized, and leading the way for the nation’s future, the youth embody the enduring spirit of People Power.