On August 1, 2009, a woman who became a great leader of our country had a peaceful death. Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino, the first woman President in the Philippines and Asia, battled colon cancer for more than a year. Prayers and novenas were offered to lengthen her life. Yellow ribbons were tied everywhere, as a symbol of the Filipinos in union with her battle, thus the slogan “Di ka nag-iisa, Cory”.
However, as the Filipinos were praying for her battle, the Lord wanted to have her already by His side. As a Filipino, I thank God for sending former President Cory Aquino to us, for courageously obliging the call of Filipinos for freedom and change during the dictatorship days.
I may not have known entirely what happened during the EDSA Revolution, as I was barely three years old, but I know for a fact that Cory Aquino opted to embrace the Filipinos’ need and welfare instead of choosing to alleviate the pain caused by the assassination of then-Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino. She painstakingly took the responsibility of being a mother, not only for her five children, but for the whole nation as well. Truly, I have admired Cory Aquino’s strength behind her charming character. She has surpassed seven coup attempts, aside from other plans of destabilization during her governance. Footages of EDSA Revolution flashed back on televisions, and I can’t help but felt goosebumps seeing that once, Filipinos gathered to fight for peace and justice, and they chose to have one leader that will bind them all, a leader whom they seen on a widow, petite woman popularly called as “Tita Cory.”
Her persona focuses on peace and welfare of the society, which endeared her to every class especially by the Church. And it is evident, that up to now, she is still loved and admired by many Filipinos. When her remains was transferred from La Salle Greenhills to Manila Cathedral, people flood their way to EDSA, especially in Ayala Avenue and where the monument of the late Ninoy Aquino is standing. Observers compare the scenario during the death of Ninoy Aquino and that of his wife. During Ninoy’s death, people were grieving and angry while this time, love and sympathy overflows.
Pictures taken during the former President Cory Aquino’s funeral procession to Manila Memorial Park:
