Filipinos marched to the Edsa Shrine in Quezon City on Tuesday in numbers more than in recent years as schools in Metro Manila cancelled classes for students to join the activities marking the 39th anniversary of a bloodless coup that drove President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., his family and associates from power.

''People are now coming to Edsa for remember its 39th anniversary of the People Power Revolution,'' said the Edsa Shrine in social media.

Police estimated that 6,000 took part in the ceremonies that began around lunchtime and which ended past 6 pm.

Former Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Socrates Villegas told the youth to never forget the EDSA People Power.

"Be involved and be engaged in matters that affect the nation and the world. For us Christians, it is a sin to live only for yourself", Villegas said in a Facebook post on Monday.

Villegas was with Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jaime Sin, who exhorted Filipinos on the Catholic-run station Radio Veritas to go to Edsa in support of Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos, who bolted from the government in Feb 22, 1986.

"This day is the holiday of nameless millions of Filipino heroes of 1986. Do not forget", Villegas added.

Fifty schools and universities, especially Catholic schools, cancelled classes despite its declaration as a special working day.

Various groups marched towards the monument before a program at the corner of Edsa White Plains Avenue.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said in a situational report that the commemoration was relatively peaceful.

The program was organized by One Taft, Clergy and Citizens for Good Governance(CCGG), and Tindig Pilipinas.

During the Holy Mass presided by Edsa Shrine Rector Fr. Jerome Secillano, he said the events in 1986 is a political and a religious event.

"The people responded to the call of the Cardinal to come to Edsa. Here at Edsa, the call wasn't only 'Sobra Na! Tama Na!'. The millions of Filipinos in Edsa also shouted 'Hail Mary'," said Secillano.

"Filipinos carried not only rosaries but also food for the soldiers on board tanks and carrying firearms. In the end, this was also called, not only People Power, but also Prayer Power," he added. DMS/Marie Manalili