It was past midnight when the news broke out that Mubarak stepped down. I kept myself busy curating the reactions from the Egyptians as they celebrated in Tahrir Square. You can actually feel their joy, as seen in the faces of the revolution. While most of the tweets in the Philippines dealt with the memories of EDSA 1, I felt the day belonged to the people of Egypt. I purposely didn’t place any reference to our own People Power 25 years ago. It is their moment.

Our President issued a statement with reference People Power as most Filipinos felt that day:

The Filipino people welcome the relatively peaceful resolution to Egypt’s political crisis. Egypt’s “People Power” transition shows that the aspirations for a more free and fair society are universal. As Filipinos did in 1986, Egyptians must now begin the work of rebuilding their institutions. We stand in solidarity with Egypt and all people who long for peaceful and meaningful change.

Not that I want to rain on their parade, but I felt a bit apprehensive. Indeed, we removed a dictator but where are we? The country is run by the same old elite, traditional politicians though there is a rise of new ones. Corruption in the Philippines has only turned worse and poverty still persists.

I share the same apprehension with Bong:

The euphoric, proud, jubilant mood reduces the vigilance on what matters – the policy environment which sustained the existence of the autocrat in the first place.

While Aquino states that Egypt’s “people power” transition shows that the aspiration for a more free and fair society is universal. Aspiration does not necessarily translate to execution without the accompanying introspection, exertion and perspiration. Egypt is full of aspirations. And it remains to be seen whether the people of Egypt will follow through. After all, the Filipinos were the darling of the world in 1986 for having ousted Marcos “bloodlessly”. I really wonder if the “bloodless” applied because the revolution didn’t reach the tipping point without the conscious efforts by highly motivated advocates who laid down the groundwork – and paid for it with their lives.

I only hope developments in Egypt bring about democratic reforms and positive improvements they have been seeking for.

Here are twitter reactions that compared Egypt’s revolt with that of EDSA 1.

You see it in their faces, the feeling of euphoria. The vibrations are contagious as the Egyptians celebrated all night.

The power of Social Networking is just amazing. Look what happened to Egypt with the power of things like Twitter and Facebook. They are grateful to Facebook for playing a part in this revolution. I don’t want to dampen their joy right now but I know there is a long road ahead of them. There is hope and optimism. “Nothing less than genuine democracy will carry the day” – President Obama

From a doctors, to lawyers, to taxi-drivers out in the Tahrir square , here are the other faces of the revolution! These photos captures the emotions in Egypt right now and will remain a part of history.

Voices from Tahrir Square, Cairo – “I am Egyptian … proud to be Egyptian.”

I have been monitoring Egypt protests since January 27, curating tweets and photos and even placing a special category called “Egypt Protest” here.

Finally tonight….Mubarak steps down. Cheers break out in Cairo’s Tahrir Square as the announcement is read on television that President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down.

Now things get really interesting as the post-Mubarak struggle for power begins. Power to the People.

On CNN, Wolf Blitzer was interviewing an elated Wael Ghonim, the Google executive and demonstration leader whose arrest and captivity galvanized the uprising. Blitzer asked, “first Tunisia, now Egypt, what’s next?” Ghonim said “ask Facebook.”

The demonstrations that began on January 25 were fueled by social media, and Ghonim said “I want to meet Mark Zuckerberg one day and thank him, actually.”

Ghonim added, “this revolution started online. This revolution started on Facebook.” Ghonim said without social media–supporters sharing videos and messages on their Facebook walls–the revolution in Egypt could never have moved so fast. “I always said, if you want to liberate a society, just give them the internet.”

Ghonim told Blitzer it was the empowering nature of the internet and social media that gave protesters the ability to overcome the Egyptian government’s ability to control the media, which he says worked effectively for decades. Ghonim says he will write a book about it all, called Revolution 2.0.

I am happy for you Egypt. The work towards regime change, and democracy is just beginning. It is so easy to get caught up in euphoria but note of caution may be in order: a military coup is not the same thing as democracy.

Just the same, congrats Egypt for 18 days of hard work !!!!

Photos and twitter reactions:

So Mubarak did not resign after all.

From CNN.com

Thousands of people waved Egyptian flags and roared, “Get out! Get out!” in Cairo’s Tahrir Square as President Hosni Mubarak said late Thursday he was delegating power to his vice president and made no mention of stepping down.

“I don’t know if he has a brain or if his brain is elsewhere,” one protester in the square said, expressing frustration that Mubarak appeared to be saying that he enjoyed support from most Egyptians.

Watching Mubarak’s address on what appeared to be a sheet hoisted over the square, the crowd became angry as they heard Mubarak say he would “delegate powers” to Vice President Omar Suleiman but did not mention leaving office. They broke into cries of, “Illegitimate!” and “Mubarak the coward must stand down.”

Estimate says there are 2 Million People who are protesting at Tahrir Square In Cairo Egypt. Egyptians continue to protest and greets Mubarak speech with their shoes.

The protests will persist but the questions remain : who is really in charge? Mubarak? Suleiman? One said “Mubarak lost his golden opportunity.”

Here is the latest in photos and tweets in Tahrir square

source of photo: via twitter

Hossan Badrawi, the secretary general of the National Democratic Party (NDP), said Mr Mubarak would “most probably” speak to the nation tonight.

Twitter is abuzz of the breaking news that Mubarak might step down. that “Unconfirmed report says Mubarak will ‘meet all the pro-democracy .demands’”. Egyptian Army Commander Tells Protesters ‘All Your Demands Will Be Met.It Ends Tonight’ .

Some are suspicious though.

You know what? Dont believe those snakes Mubarak Sulieman NDP. They will say ANYTHING to make protesters go home

Reading that Mubarak is going to step down tonight. What does that mean for Egypt and the rest of the middle east?

Let’s hope the change is what the Egyptians want for their country. We are witnesses to all this.

I am sharing some photos from my husband’s friend, Owen Tiam who took photos at Tahrir Square. Annotation belongs to Owen. Click to enlarge photos.

(Please do not use photos without permission)

Protesters at the 26th of July St. going to Tahrir Square.

Impassioned speeches

From All walks of life
The place was energized. Emotions were reverberating everywhere. Tension. Tanks. But no terror.

Women fighters

There are dissenting opinions

Early morning of the Million Man March Day

Technogeek

These buildings housed several international journalists. I lost count of the number of APC’s, tanks and other types of military transport.

They slept the night before and just finished breakfast of bread.

Pro-Mubarak protesters in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the right is the Nile River.

Calling for prayers.

Today was labeled the “day of departure,” but Mubarak hasn’t left and neither have the protestors. Eleven days now and Mubarak’s departure day is nowhere in sight. Tahrir Square is not trouble square but freedom square,but there is trouble happening there among pro-anti -Mubarak and government, says one tweet.

In a speech today, President Obama says attacks on reporters, human rights workers, peaceful protesters in Egypt are ‘unacceptable.’

Here are the photos and tweets that I curated for today.

The protests continue. Some in the US media (AP) are putting yesterday’s protest numbers in Tahrir square at 250k. Others say it is half a million but there is no denial that there are millions more watching the Egypt protest in Twitter.

Another fact is clear. Mubarak is not backing off. Obama Says Egypt’s Transition to New Government ‘Must Begin Now’ which sounds very vague. Shouldn’t he say bluntly to Mubarak “to cut and cut cleanly”. It’s been over a week now.

Just now there is an INCREDIBLE standoff between pro-change and pro-Mubarak demos at Tahrir.How long can these protests last?

Feb 1, 2011: The day that Egypt has been waiting 30 years . Today, there is a call for a million people to march in the streets. Whether a million people show up to protest, millions more like us who are watching are with them in spirit. The dictator will watch a million protesters march in Tahrir, backed by One Billion supporters .

Free Egypt.

A map on areas where the March will converge. Click image to enlarge the map.

Here are photos and twitter reactions of the upcoming million man march:

A new government was installed today by Mubarak . Yes the sixth day. It looks like it is only a reshuffling of his old cabinet members. He must be desperate. Alwafd party says the new government is not acceptable and the people are sticking to their demands . The message among the Egyptians is for the US to support the people. It is a matter of days now before USA withdraws support. I am hoping lives will be spared and the people get the regime change they want. It is apparent that Mubarak is resorting to desperate measures when hardened criminals are released from prisons to create more chaos in Egypt.

In the meantime. Egypt is having problems with food. Violence is still prevalent. Mubarak is not giving up. All I can say is I hope God be with the Egyptians as they continue the fight.

Here are photos, twitter reactions for the day curated by Storify.

Photo source: here