Today (August 5, 2009), the Filipino people are out on the streets or are glued on their television sets, paying their respects to the passing of a great Filipino leader and mother, President Corazon Aquino.
Tita Cory as she is fondly called by Filipinos, is remembered as the mother of Philippine democracy who lead the country after the peaceful People Power Revolution at Edsa in 1986. She is also known as the devoted wife of the erstwhile late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. who was assisinated in 1983, coming home from a 3-year exile in Boston. He spent most of his life fighting the oppressions and dictatorship of the Marcos regime.
The sacrifice of this couple is truly amazing. Ninoy died for the freedom of his country. Cory gave birth to democracy and nurtured it. She was indeed the Ina ng Bayan (the country's mother). Even until her death, she has spawned that Cory magic, uniting Filipinos from all walks of life.
But aside from being the first woman president of the Philippines and in Asia, what I truly admire most about this inspiring lady is her beautiful soul. She embodies all that is good in the Filipino. Her integrity and quiet strength are to be emulated. She was courageous and brave amidst challenges. She was a loving mother and a great friend to those who were blessed to know her personally. She treated all people with equal respect. She left a legacy of hope and a great faith in God and the Filipino people. Indeed, Corazon was true to her name, becoming the heart of a country and her family.
Today is a sad, rainy day. Sad but hopeful. Both sweet and sentimental. It feels like the passing of a generation, like a beginning and an end. It is also hopeful because Tita Cory left us a great legacy. A legacy of loght which the present generation and the generations to come will have to pass on. She has given us her yellow light even in death. We thank our great God for the gift of Cory, for helping us all realize that it is indeed a great blessing to be a Filipino.
I agree that the song composed by Jim Paredes sums up Cory's legacy: "Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo, mapayapang paraang pagbabago. Katotohanan, Kalayaan, Katarungan, ay kayang makamit ng walang dahas basta't magkaisa tayong lahat."
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas Niyang Mahal.
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