I am watching the necrological service for the late President Corazon C. Aquino over GMA-7. The eulogies from her closest friends have given a colorful glimpse of what kind of a person she has been. They acquaint the people about how she has been warm, loving, patriotic as a Filipino, devoted as a Catholic and strong as a woman and a leader. She is a hero of the people, the icon of Philippine democracy.I am 15 in 1986 when President Cory has risen to power through the EDSA People Power revolution that has ousted the late strong man, President Ferdinand E. Marcos. I hardly understand the event at that time. It has been a plain and simple rebellion for me, which the government has to crush. However, the events that have followed have been unprecedented in the world’s political history. The simple and inexperienced widow of the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr has led a bloodless revolution against a powerful ruler and has obtained the political freedom for the Filipino people that has been an impossible dream for years but has become an amazing reality in the most astonishing manner. She has become Time Magazines’ woman of the year that same year.
Freedom of speech and freedom of expression especially in media has been the first fruits of the new democracy that I truly appreciate. If the woman in yellow dress has not stood up for change, Philippine politics would still dwell in an atmosphere of fear and oppression.
However, the greatest and most remarkable highlight of her six years of presidency for me has been when she has addressed the joint session of the US Congress shortly after her inauguration in 1986. In the closing part of her speech she said, “…join us America as we build a new home for the Filipino people, a new haven for the oppressed as a shining testament of the two nation’s commitment to freedom…” She has earned a standing ovation. It has brought honor and pride for each Filipino. For once in history, we have felt a sense of pride and honor as a people and as an independent nation equal to America. It feels so good to be a Filipino!
In contrast with the present president who takes pride in becoming a coordinator for America’s interest in the ASEAN. Have we become again a puppet for US?
The nation bids farewell to a great president who has spent most of her latter years in the service of the Filipino people. May she find rest in the arms of her Almighty Lord.
Not a fan of her political views, most of all, her spiritual conviction BUT I do admire the way she lived out her late husband's cause.
ReplyDeleteKung kay GMA lang naman, Si Cory na lang.
I doubt tho if noynoy will ever be as popular as his parents were.