Today I showed my students a video on the EDSA Revolution — specifically the documentary produced by the Inquirer for its 20th anniversary. Many of them no longer know much about our history. One student even said the revolution happened because Emilio Aguinaldo was assassinated, confusing Ninoy with Aguinaldo.

After the viewing, I asked them: If there were a need for revolution today, would you go out to EDSA?

The majority of my 16–17-year-old students said no. They said they are not personally affected by government oppression, that the risk — even jail time — would not be worth it. One remarked that he would just be “a cup of water in the sea.” Others admitted they would rather remain in the comfort of their homes.

A few hopefuls said they would go out, fortunately not for FOMO, but for the country and for fellow citizens.

Then I asked: What changed? Why did people back then go out into the streets — not only in EDSA 1, but again in EDSA 2?

It was interesting that a Korean student offered a striking insight: even when change happens, without follow-through it collapses — and history did repeat itself. Marcos happened again.

That conversation made me reflect. Revolutions like the French Revolution, the EDSA Revolution, and Gandhi’s movement unfolded in the streets. The overthrow of a government becomes the visible symbol of change. But when what is inside us does not transform, there is no real revolution. The political transition becomes a picture — powerful, historic, but incomplete.

Political structures matter. Institutions matter. Laws matter. But institutions are sustained by culture, and culture is sustained by persons.

True revolution requires inner transformation. It is not merely shouting at the top of our lungs on EDSA, cursing the government, or throwing Molotov cocktails. In today’s context, being revolutionary means something quieter but harder: refusing to share fake news, following simple rules, practicing justice in small matters, choosing integrity in daily work — the little acts that, when added together, build a good society.

Be a revolutionary with little and ordinary acts. Build a family. Educate your children well. Work with excellence. Go to church.

As G.K. Chesterton put it, to be ordinary may be the most extraordinary thing today.