I remember that once we owned a coffee table book on the People Power Revolution. I was just probably 5 or 6 years old then and couldn’t do much with the book but to look at the pictures. I remember pondering over photos of rallies, Cory speaking among her supporters and a young Kris sweeping the streets of EDSA. But the one picture that struck me most, even at such a young age, was the wake of Ninoy. As I looked at the picture, I wondered why his death has caused so many people, young and old, to line up for hours to get a glimpse of him and cried at the loss of this man.
I didn’t know back then that the death of this man fueled the Filipinos desire to free themselves from tyranny…and his wife, Cory Aquino, leading the way for our country’s democracy.
Cory Aquino or Tita Cory, as we fondly call her, will always be an icon of democracy and a symbol of freedom. The lives that we are all so enjoying right now is really because of her.
I admire Tita Cory for the person that she is. I admire her for her courage in the face of the Marcoses and the numerous coup attempts to bring down her government. I marvel at her strength in facing the death of her husband and single-handedly raising her five children. I admire her for her simplicity, for how much love she can give and her strong and unwavering faith in God.
When Tita Cory died at the age of 76 last Saturday, after suffering from colon cancer, I knew I just had to pay my last respects to her. I felt that it was the least that I could do, the least that I could give, to the woman who had given so much to each one of us and to the country.
My family and I went to her wake at the La Salle Greenhills last Sunday. It was very heartwarming to see thousands of people lining up to pay homage to Tita Cory. And what’s amazing about it was how patient people were. Nobody showed irritation over having to endure 3 hours of standing and no one was cutting lines. Everyone just felt humbled and honored to have the chance of getting a glimpse of the former president and the woman who has given so much of herself to the country.
When her remains were transferred from La Salle Greenhills to the Manila Cathedral last Monday, I knew I just had to be in Ayala Avenue to send her off. Employees of Makati lined-up along Ayala Avenue and gathered around the Freedom Monument at the corner of Paseo de Roxas, under the scorching heat of the sun, armed with yellow confetti, ribbons and streamers. Some were shouting “Cory, Cory!” while others were silenced by the overwhelming feeling that she is indeed gone.
(photos grabbed from Cynthia's facebook)
I am writing this as I am following the live coverage of Tita Cory’s funeral. Her convoy has already arrived in Paranaque and is now nearing the Manila Memorial Park. In a few more hours, Tita Cory will be laid to rest alongside the love of her life, Ninoy, and with our creator in heaven.
Paalam, Tita Cory. You may not be here with us anymore but your legacy will always live on. And we will promise you that we will continue on with the causes that you have started. Itutuloy namin ang laban.
