Homily of Archbishop Soc Villegas on the 40th anniversary of EDSA People Power

THEY HAVE NO WINE (John 2:3)

FROM MEMORY TO ACTION

The complete transcript of the homily delivered by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas at the EDSA Shrine to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, February 25, 2026.

We are gathered here at the EDSA Shrine, our sacred witness to God's triumph through peaceful revolution. For fifteen years as your rector, I walked these grounds, prayed amid the echoes of rosaries that halted tanks, and shared the tears and joys of a people who toppled tyranny with faith alone.

Today, on the 40th anniversary of EDSA People Power, we do not bask in nostalgia. We confront our betrayals, repent, and rise. Our wine is running out. The yellow hope of 1986 has dimmed, but Christ commands: "You are the light of the world... Let your light shine". Fill the jars of wine again!

EDSA was Gospel alive—prayer, non-violence, unity for the common good. Yet four decades later, we have squandered this grace. Let us trace the path honestly, as prophets named sin in order to be healed. Our wine ran out slowly. We did not notice the spilling.

The first decade blazed with yellow hope—heroes like President Cory and Cardinal Sin alive, fervor strong. We rebuilt on solidarity and subsidiarity, tasting democracy's joy as the world marveled. We built the EDSA Shrine. We made a new Constitution. We restored democratic systems. Our wine was sweet and bubbling.

But the second decade blurred lines. An EDSA hero, President Ramos, led us; yet show business seduced us as the answer to poverty. But the actor got embroiled in jueteng, birthing EDSA Dos: ousting one corrupt drinking president, he was succeeded by another corrupt one, both jailed but later pardoned.

EDSA was in shambles. We prized spectacle over vigilance, ignoring warnings that without truth, democracy crumbles. This was not EDSA. Our wine was running out. We were not drinking but it was leaking.

The third decade promised Daang Matuwid—straight path, rising economy, global praise. We had clean government but trolls poisoned our minds. We mocked the honest president even if he served us well. Yellow was mocked.

Pink was jeered. Only black darkness was made to look beautiful. We were drinking bland tasteless water instead of sweet wine. This was not EDSA.

Then trolls and populism swayed us. Before the jailed man at The Hague became President, didn't we know right from wrong? Killing was sin. Insulting women, mocking God, death threats, law-breaking, siding with foreigners against nation—these screamed evil. Yet we justified addict murders, vulgar"jokes," blasphemy as tolerable, due process disposable, island build-up by China as necessary to prevent war.

What happened? Charisma eclipsed conscience. This was not EDSA. Nakakahiya. Nakakasuka. That kind of leadership must not be given another chance in this country. That is not EDSA.

Catholic teaching insists: form consciences by Scripture and doctrine, prioritizing life's protection over all—abortion, euthanasia, violence. The voice of conscience got hoarse. We became complicit, letting power redefine morality.

I was threatened and mocked when I warned: Murderers cannot be leaders. This was not EDSA.

Now the fourth decade: the dictator's family returns, dazzled by trolls, algorithms, fake gold legends. Corruption leaps hundredfold, poverty surges; crime explodes; traitors defend China over our seas, quiet while lowly fishermen are harrassed. Rights trampled, common good betrayed—we repeat shadows of 1986. This is not EDSA.

Today we celebrate not faded yellow ribbons, but a call to reclaim that fire. We wasted it—through corruption, trolls, dynasties, vulgarity and forgotten dignity—but repentance dawns. The EDSA spirit calls us to repentance.

Matatanda na kaming mga tumindig dito sa EDSA; patay na ang iba sa amin. Kayo naman, mga kabataan! The torch passes. Rise as true patriots!

Young people and children, kayo naman! Don't chase viral posts like dumb goats. Think critically—question, discern, kill lies before sharing.

Form consciences by truth, not algorithms, as our Church teaches: evaluate leaders by defense of life and justice, not fleeting trends. Be the light that pierces fake news darkness!

Urban poor and rural poor, kayo naman! Reject movie idols to be lawmakers— ang para sa pelikula ay hindi para sa senado at lalong hindi pang Malacanang!

This sacred task demands servants of the common good, hindi mga artistang kinakatuwaan sa pagsayaw sa ating miting de avance. Learn from Dolphy.

Subsidiarity calls you: local voices build nation, protecting family and neighbor from exploitation. Young professionals and young parents, kayo naman! Live honestly—no tax cheats; no bribes to traffic enforcers.

Starve trolls; don't feed fake news, making their lies jobless. In homes, do not lie to your children and punish your children when they lie to you. Integrity at home shapes politics: reject intrinsic evils like corruption that wounds the poor. Build families as temples of truth!

Young politicians, kayo naman! Shun political dynasties and epal culture— billboards of vanity. Enter politics poor, leave poorer, richer in virtue. Public service is lofty charity, pursuing justice over power.

Faith demands: transform parties by morals; do not let them corrupt you. Exorcise the devils of the party list system!

Historians and academe and journalists, kayo naman! Tell EDSA's full story— prayer, people, peace victorious. Reject revisionism; only truth heals wounds, not historical cosmetics. As guardians of memory, echo this basic wisdom: without historical truth, society drifts to totalitarianism.

Young businessmen, kayo naman! Honest dealings profit all—respect workers as partners, not mere hires. Balance power justly; unions correct greed. Solidarity binds us: dignity of labor mirrors Christ's. Honest business makes good profit.

ICC at The Hague, kayo naman! Bring to justice the murderers of drug users who also murdered our national virtues and values. Help us restore justice and order in this land that has lost its virtues.

Our justice system is defective not ideal. The political will is weak, not ideal. Irresponsibility and immaturity hover over our land, far from ideal. We are way down below the ideal.

ICI, kayo naman! Sanaol na! Now na! Inip na kami!

Mga corrupt and mga kasabwat ng corrupt. Kayo naman! Kayo naman ang dapat alisin sa gobyerno katulad ng diktador na inalis ng bloodless People Power!

Mga Tsinador at mga hindi alam ang ibig sabihin ng forthwith at pinipilipit ang impeachment process, kayo naman! Kayo naman ang mag resign katulad ng nag-resign noong EDSA Dos! Ginhawa sa bayan kung walang tulad ninyo sa gobyerno.

Bayang Pilipino, tayo and People Power! God’s EDSA miracle was grace undeserved. We squandered it, but repent and choose right now.

Vote conscience-formed; defend seas against Tsinadors, serve the poor, defend the weak. Real saints change society for the good. Let the new saints of EDSA go marching in.

May pag-asa pa! Nasa puso ang EDSA, alam natin yan. Pakawalan natin sa puso ang EDSA. Nasa ating mga kamay ang pagkabuhay na muli ng EDSA!