IN-PERSON ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

People Power, the 1986 nonviolent uprising in the Philippines, unfolded along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Metro Manila. This avenue became the stage for a landmark democratic movement whose memory now lives in its monuments and shrines. In examining the intricate narratives woven into the EDSA People Power monuments, the historical highway reads as a sequence of distinct trajectories, each offering a unique perspective on collective memory. These narratives have not remained unscathed: political cooptation has injected polarization into how the monuments and shrines are understood, fostering a spectrum of diverse appreciations. Although the works embody contemporary artistic expression, their significance has been amplified by EDSA’s profound impact on societal dynamics, which anchors collective memory in the spatial fabric. Economic challenges after EDSA have limited the pragmatic appreciation of these monuments, constraining their full realization within the Filipino consciousness. The slow economic ripples have further impeded the transformative potential these monuments could wield. This research underscores the importance of activated monuments in safeguarding historical narratives against misinformation, a claim supported by oral history, insights from a comprehensive survey, and conversations with the custodians of this shared heritage. However, the study also shows that limited rituals and the underuse of the monuments’ surroundings for education create vulnerable gaps in memory—gaps that are exposed to distortion unless these places are actively engaged through place‑making.