01 March 2017 NEW YORK – The Philippine Consulate General in New York commemorated the 31st EDSA People Power anniversary with a film screening of a documentary film entitled “LABAN” at the Campbell Hall of Fordham University in New York on February 24.
The hour-long documentary film, first screened at St. Paul’s College in Quezon City on February 25, 2007, is one of the rare accounts of the EDSA Revolution featuring first-hand interviews of key figures from different sides of the political spectrum during the historic event in 1986.
It includes interviews of the late President Corazon Aquino, former President Fidel V. Ramos, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Senators Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. and Gregorio Honasan, historians, media personalities, military officials, and the religious sector, among others.
Filmmaker Sally Jo Bellosillo answered questions from the audience at a Talk Back session conducted via remote connection to Manila. Ms. Bellosillo organized screenings of the film along with former President Fidel V. Ramos during the 30th EDSA commemoration in 2016. She conveyed to the audience that among her aspirations for the film is that it will engender reflection on the true legacy of EDSA which is people empowerment devoid of partisan politics and a genuine shift to programs-based and not personality-driven politics.
In her remarks and introduction to the film, Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega encouraged the audience, particularly the young Filipino-Americans, to assess and determine how they can contribute to keeping the EDSA spirit alive in keeping with this year’s theme of “A Day of Reflection: Celebrating People Power for Nation Building”.
Prof. Henry Schwalbenberg of Fordham University’s Graduate Program in International Political Economy and Development (IDEP) welcomed the Consulate General team to Fordham while Fr. Angelito Salazar, SJ, Executive Director of the Fordham Campus Ministry, led the invocation. Mr. Michael Gonzales, President of the Fordham University Philippine-American Club (FUPAC) delivered a message of appreciation at the close of the event.
The successful screening was organized by the Consulate General with the IDEP and FUPAC. END
