The boy on the 500-peso bill, through the eyes of his former dean

As the country commemorates the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, a former dean at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) shared his unexpected connection to one of the most iconic images of the uprising — the child handing a flower to a soldier, immortalized on a now-discontinued ₱500 bill.

Professor Gabriel Ma. "Manong Gabby" Lopez, 75, a career educator and urban planner, revealed that the boy in the image, Angelo Gutierrez, was once his student.

“I had no idea until he told me,” Gabby told DAILY TRIBUNE Tuesday.

“That image is a symbol of peace and hope, and to find out that he was my student was surprising," he added.

Gabby expressed concern over the removal of national heroes from Philippine banknotes, arguing that history should be preserved through symbols like currency.

“Money is a good way of reminding us of our heroes. Nature and animals are important, but they should exist alongside the people who shaped our country,” he said.

In 2015, when Gabby was dean of the PLM Graduate School, Gutierrez, a nurse by profession, enrolled in the MBA program.

During their conversations, Gutierrez mentioned his seminary background, which led to the revelation that he was the child in the historic photo.

Gutierrez, now in the United States, is currently pursuing a Master’s in Nursing.

Despite his distance from the Philippines, his story remains tied to the legacy of EDSA.

The professor also weighed in on the diminishing public consciousness surrounding the revolution, noting that commemorations have become quieter over the years.

“It was a major event that put the Philippines in the global spotlight,” he said.

“But now, fewer people seem to reflect on its significance.”

As the EDSA anniversary passes, Gabby hopes that Filipinos will continue to remember the stories and individuals behind the movement, ensuring that its legacy does not fade with time.