EDSA Shrine in Manila - Philippines

It was 1986. The Marcos regime was being furiously rocked by popular protests from the just-concluded snap election between the Philippine strongman and the strongest presidential contender Corazon Aquino. When President Marcos refused to concede to the landslide votes for Aquino, the people took to the streets and ended up in the corner of Ortigas and EDSA, what is now known as the EDSA Shrine.

And many more peoples EDSA revolts have sprung up since, ended up at the EDSA shrine. So far, 3 peoples EDSA revolts have happened in the history of the Philippinesthe peoples EDSA revolt in 1986, the peoples EDSA revolt in the time of President Joseph Estrada, and the peoples EDSA revolt in the time of President Gloria M. Arroyo, but which fizzled out in the end. So far, in the times gone by in the Philippines, these revolts at the EDSA Shrine had been relatively peaceful, with minor undesirable incidents.

A giant statue of Mary, a patron saint of Roman Catholicism, stands there at the corner of Ortigas and EDSA to commemorate the events, and also to serve as a sanctuary or a refuge for peoples EDSA revolts in the future. They built a chapel or shrine underneath the giant statue where regular mass is being held. The EDSA Shrine in the Philippines is just beside the Robinsons Galleria Shopping Center at the Ortigas Complex.

Going to EDSA Shrine is easy. Just take a bus to Monumento or UE-Letre when coming from the south, or take a bus to Makati or Baclaran when coming from the north. The same with taking an MRT ride. Just get off at the SM Mega Mall MRT Station and the EDSA Shrine is just within easy walking distance. In fact, this is why peoples EDSA revolts converge at this spot because of its accessibility. Thus, its being the most covered corner when it comes to the news in the Philippines.

Aside from the EDSA Shrine chapel, the giant statue, the architectural design dedicated to peoples EDSA revolts oriented towards peaceful change and freedom, there are the shopping places nearby, and the Securities and Exchange Commission building right across.

To enjoy the EDSA Shrine, bring along about P500 as pocket money for fare and buying food at Robinsons plus a little shopping on the side. With P100, it will be easy to go and come from the EDSA Shrine through bus of the MRT. A Taxi cab ride from nearby cities like Pasig and Munadaluyong costs about P150 one way.