the film

The idea of making a film on the EDSA Revolution began when MA Trans Atlantic Studies student Sally Jo Bellosillo decided to make an Audio Visual presentation of the 20th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution in the Philippines.

Ms. Bellosillo presented her idea to Professor Scott Lucas and PhD student and Filmmaker Michael Burns at the University of Birmingham. They in turn helped her develop and pitch the story to Boston based filmmaker and executive Producer Greg Ansin, owner of Monkey Ray productions.

Both Scott and Michael helped Sally put together a treatment of the film. At that time the working title of the Film was Two Widows and a General. The film hinged on the story of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution being told from the point of view of the First Lady Imelda Marcos, President Cory Aquino and President Fidel Ramos. All three were major players of the event with Ramos who was Vice Chief of Staff of Marcos then representing the significant breakaway of the Military.

The film’s purpose was to preserve the first hand accounts of those that had played a part in the Revolution and how they viewed EDSA 1 twenty years after. It was meant to make history because it was to be the first time all of them were to come together after twenty years to tell their story in one film (on other films made on the topic there was always a side of the story that was missing such as the Reformed Armed Forces Movement’s version because the officers were either in jail or underground.)

She pitched a documentary that was willing to approach the event from previously unexplored angles, creating a film that raised the bar from general human interest to compelling, factual drama. Sensitive questions were asked such as “was it really a revolution or a managed transition of power? Is there grist to the rumor mill that the Americans, embarrassed by the excesses of the Marcos regime which they had once supported, wanted to engineer a change to a more “democratic” government?” While many works were made on the topic, this film was going to be different, at least on paper. It was also the first time a documentary of this magnitude was produced on Philippine history.

The production of the movie covered a period of two years. The filming of interviewees was done in Manila over a period of two weeks in July-August 2005. The crew was composed of Western and Filipino team members using a four camera set up. By then all the major players of the revolution (Church, Media, Military, Government) agreed to be interviewed save for Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. New information on the Revolution was gathered as the officers of the Reform Armed forces movement were able to give their side of history on camera. Aside from the exclusive accounts, the team was able to put together a library of work, some of which have never been seen before.

Now that the movie has been completed, it is not just an historical account of the 1986 People Power Revolution, but a compelling documentary that includes the events that preceded it and ultimately dares to ask “Was Democracy achieved by the EDSA People Power Revolution?”

The Subjects

Corazon Cojuangco Aquino  

Former president of the Republic of the Philippines and widow of senator Ninoy Aquino, she is currently a major proponent in the fight against poverty. She focuses her energies on spearheading PinoyME, a consortium of the biggest microfinancers in the Philippines. She has to date helped over 2 million families and aims to help 3 million more.

Imelda Marcos

Former First Lady and Wife of President Ferdinand Marcos, the former Metro Manila Governor is famous for charming world leaders from Ronald Regan to Saddam Hussein. She has built many institutions that are still used today such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines, The Philippine General Hospital and the Philippine Heart Center.   Also known for her massive shoe collection, she has recently released her own Fashion Jewelry Line.

Fidel V. Ramos

Succeeded Corazon C. Aquino as president after serving as Armed Forces chief of staff and Defense Minister in her administration. He is currently Chairman Emeritus of the Lakas CMD(Christian-Muslim Democrats) Party and currently represents the Philippines in the ASEAN Eminent Persons Group, tasked to draft the Charter of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Senator Gregorio Honasan
Senator "Gringo" Honasan is currently imprisoned on charges of rebellion and is a Senatorial candidate for May 2007 elections. This former head of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) and former aide of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile is the first independent candidate in history to win a senatorial seat. He first became a senator in 1995.

Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr
A key opposition figure during martial law and the EDSA revolution, Senator Pimentel was first asked by President Corazon C. Aquino to be her vice presidential candidate in the 1986 Snap Elections before giving way to Doy Laurel in a move to unify the opposition. He is currently on his last term as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.

Senator Francisco "Kit" Tatad
Former senator and information minister of President Marcos during the declaration of Martial Law, Senator Kit Tatad is currently a key opposition figure and author of numerous books on Philippine politics.

Bishop Soc Villegas

He was the Personal Assistant of the late Cardinal Sin and is currently the Bishop of the Diocese of Bataan.

Congressman Butz Aquino
Former actor, brother of slain senator Ninoy Aquino and key opposition   figure, Congressman Aquino is best remembered as the first one to call the Filipino people to the EDSA highway during the breakaway. He was also the head of the August 21 Movement (ATOM) and is currently on his last term as congressman of the 1st district of Makati.

Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ
An important Catholic Media Figure, Father Reuter was the head of the Federation of the Catholic Broadcasters of the Philippines and is a renowned producer and playwright.

Sister Sarah Manapol, SPC

"The Lady in White" provided information to the US Embassy during the revolution and to June Keithley for broadcasting on Radyo Bandido. She is a special assistant to Father James B. Reuter, SJ and is a member of the Federation of Catholic Broadcasters of the Philippines. She is also a faculty member and head of the Media Department of the St. Paul University of Quezon City.

General Vic Batac and  Col. Red Kapunan
General Batac and Colonel Kapunan were principal RAM figures that plotted the 1985 Coup Attempt against the Marcos Administration and the 1986,1987, and 1989 coup attempts against the Aquino Administration. Both are now retired and enjoying private life.

Manuel Quezon III

The grandson of President Manuel L. Quezon is a historian and columnist of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Cheche Lazaro
 
The internationally acclaimed Broadcast Journalist is the founder and president of Probe Productions Inc., a multi-awarded independent production company. She presents and produces the show "The Probe Team", which is the first investigative news magazine show in the Philippines and is currently the longest running.

Prof. Luis Teodoro

Former Dean of the College of Mass Communications at the University of the Philippines, Luis Teodoro was a Martial Law detainee and is currently a columnist of the Business Mirror.

June Keithley

Radio Veritas/Radyo Bandido Broadcaster during the EDSA Revolution. Also known as a "Reuter Baby," she has appeared in the numerous plays of Father James B. Reuter, SJ. She has also produced and presented documentaries on the Marian Apparitions entitled "The Woman Clothed with the Sun."