Filipino demonstrators in 1986 (black and white) and Burmese demonstrators in 2021 (color). Photos: canadianinquirer.net and cnn.com re the ideals we stood for during the People Power revolution in 1986 gone? On February 22, 1986, Filipinos began amassing along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, near Cubao. They were there to force a dictator from Malacañang and restore freedom and democracy in the country. Next week, we will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of that momentous event in our history. We must pause and ask ourselves: are we still the same country that stopped the tanks and pulled off the first bloodless revolution in modern history? If we contend that we are, then why have Filipinos remained mostly silent about the events in Myanmar? The Burmese military overturned the results of a legitimate election and arrested the country's civilian leaders. We Filipinos, who showed our democratic bona fides back then, remain mostly silent today. Young Burmese are taking to the streets, bravely protesting the assault on their freedoms just like we did thirty-five years ago. According to the Asia Times, these tech-savvy youths are linking up with "pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and Thailand, with whom they communicate daily." Despite the military junta's curtailment of internet access, protesters are getting help and support from freedom-loving people worldwide. Unfortunately, the Philippines has, for the most part, remained silent. We don't meddle in other countries' internal affairs—appears to be our government's motto. That way, they can tell other nations—we don't interfere in your affairs, so don't interfere in ours. As another People Power anniversary approaches, let us reflect on what we accomplished back then. And remind ourselves that democracy is fragile. Thus, it is the responsibility of all freedom-loving people everywhere to keep it alive. Published 2/17/2021