Picture taking at "People Power" Monument

It was another “picture-picture” event for many people, mostly the younger generations and a few “baby boomers” on Friday as they posed before tanks and rubbed elbows with personalities during the boodle lunch of the 25th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution in Quezon City.

<p>Three separate stages were put up by organizers at the People Power Shrine near gate 4 of Camp Aguinaldo in Barangay White Plains, main entrance of Corinthian Gardens and EDSA Our Lady of Peace Shrine.

<p>Organizers call it the 'EDSA Strip' which features stalls set up by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) selling various food items and shirts at P 25 each; audio visual tent; and "Tatak EDSA" or volunteerism registration tents.

<p>The stalls were put up the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) where assorted goods and foodstuff were sold. A man was seen having his P 25 haircut at a mini-barber shop along the strip.

<p>But some enterprising ambulant vendors sold souvenir yellow t-shirt ranging from P 120 to P 150, umbrells (P 100 to P 130).

<p>Different sideshows were presented by local talents onstage. Downstage, many students had their photographs taken infront of the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) and V-150 Commando tanks.

<p>The M113 is a fully tracked armored personnel carrier that has formed the backbone of the United States Army's mechanized infantry units from the time of its first fielding in Vietnam in April 1962. It was one of those used in 1986 EDSA People Power 1.

<p>The M113 was the most widely used armored vehicle of the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War, earning the nickname 'Green Dragon' by some people, but largely known as an APC and ACAV (armored cavalry assault vehicle) by the allied forces, as it was used to break through heavy thickets in the midst of the jungle to attack and overrun enemy positions.

<p>A V-150 commando tank is 4x4 amphibious armored car built by the American firm Cadillac Gage. The vehicle has been outfitted for many roles, including armored personnel carrier, ambulance, fire apparatus, anti-tank vehicle, and mortar carrier.

<p>The V-150 was a hybrid variant which actually came after the V-200 and was based on the V-200 but had some V-100 features. It could be equipped with diesel or gasoline engines and most were produced for the Saudi Arabian National Guard.

<p>The boodle lunch were attended by some 2,500 people at noon along EDSA-Ortigas led by President Benigno S. Aquino III. Also seen were Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Ricardo David and civic leaders.

<p>The festive participation of Higantes of Angono and ati-atihan groups were also crowd drawers.

<p>Folk singer Freddie Aguilar relived the spirit of the EDSA People Power Revolution when he performed on Friday morning during the opening program for the 25th anniversary of the bloodless revolution at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.

<p>Aguilar sang the patriotic song "Bayan Ko," which was sung during the funeral of assassinated Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., Marcos’ archrival, whose assassination triggered the People Power Revolution.

<p>Aquilar, who became known worldwide for his hit song "Anak", is also popular for his rendition of "Bayan Ko," which became the anthem against the Marcos dictatorship during the '80s.

<p>"Bayan Ko", with lyrics written by Jose Corazon de Jesus in 1929 and music by Constancio de Guzman, was a patriotic anthem during the American occupation in 1929.