Salamat Cory

 The Filipino democracy was orphaned last August 1st, 2009, with the death of former President and National Hero Cory Aquino, the first woman president of any country in Asia and a worldwide icon of Democracy.

Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos of all age came out to the streets of Manila to say goodbye to their beloved and admired Cory, with tears in their eyes, likewise they had run to the streets of Manila in the early 80s to mourn her husband Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., and again in 1986 during the People Power Revolution to peacefully install her as President. The country united and appeared as a one big family mourning its mother.

Born to a wealthy family in Tarlac, Maria Corazon “Cory” Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino was raised in religious schools in Manila and later sent to the US where she studied Liberal Arts. At the age of 20 she graduated with a Bachelor of Art in French, and a minor in Mathematics and she returned to Manila to pursue her studies in Law, which she abandoned a year later when she married Benigno Servillano "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.

This probably became the first turning point in Cory’s life. Aquino was a well educated and wise young man, who became mayor at 22, and eventually governor. At 34 he was the youngest member of the Filipino Senate ever.

Meanwhile, she self-proclaimed herself a “plain housewife” and she took care of their 5 children. Despite being one of the most trusted advisors of Ninoy, she would only do so in private while in public she preferred to stay out of the stage, quietly in the background.

Ninoy Aquino soon became a lead critic of then president Ferdinand Marcos, and was regarded as a clear and serious opponent in the upcoming presidential election of 1973. However, the election never took place because Marcos declared martial law in September 1972 and then abolished the Constitution, which allowed him to remain in office. Ninoy Aquino was arrested along with other critics and opponents of the Government. He was imprisoned and sentenced to death. He spent seven years in prison until a key intervention from then US President Jimmy Carter led to Marcos authorizing Ninoy Aquino to leave for exile to the US.

This was clearly turning point number two for Cory, who often defined the next 3 years of her life as “the happiest”. She lived in peace, close to her husband and kids. What more could she have asked for? However it was a life Ninoy felt he needed to abandon to come back to the Philippines and fight for his people. He often said that “the Filipino is worth dying for”, like a prophecy of his own destiny, of his fate.

He returned without his family, who was to follow later, only to be murdered in the Manila airport.

As Cory saw yet again her life drastically change, she led the funerals for her husband with the support of millions of fellow Filipinos. Cory showed an incredible emotional and physical strength, and fought to keep your family together. For the next couple years she was never abandoned by the people, who mourned Ninoy by her side. The anger towards the Marcos regime became so intense that people lost their fear and started going out into the streets in such massive number that they couldn’t be stopped any longer. Ninoy had become a National Hero and she was the only hope for the Filipinos to regain freedom.

Late November 1985 Marcos announced a snap presidential election to be held just three months later, in February’86. Right then business tycoon Joaquin “Chino” Roces realized Cory would be the only person with a real chance to unite the different branches of the opposition against Marcos. Knowing Cory wouldn’t easily accept such a responsibility, he initiated the Cory Aquino for President Movement to gather one million signatures in one week for Aquino to run as president.

As expected Cory was reluctant at first, after all she was not a politician, and never meant to be one. But after locking herself in a convent for a ten-hour session of meditation, she accepted the immense challenge. Cory felt it was a continuation of Ninoy’s dream, and this gave her the strength and the courage to keep fighting.

The following months became tense and difficult, with an aggressive campaign from the Marcos side. The election was rigged and Marcos was soon proclaimed the winner. Violence broke out in the streets and Aquino called for a general strike, while the Catholic Church as well as the US Senate condemned the election.

 Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos jumped to the streets of Manila once again and they peacefully claimed Cory’s victory and demanded Marcos’ resignation, in a movement internationally known as the People Power Revolution. Worldwide known pictures of nuns on their knees praying in front of military tanks illustrate what the Revolution was. Eventually Marcos did indeed realize his fate and conceded the Presidency to Cory.

The success of the People Power Revolution was so unique that Cory Aquino was immediately recognized and acclaimed worldwide as an icon of democracy. It was then said that the Americans taught the Filipinos democracy but through the Revolution the Filipinos taught the world.

In three years Cory went from being a housewife and mother to a worldwide icon. She was suddenly on front covers of magazines and newspapers all over the world, and she knew she couldn’t have done it without the Filipino people, same as they couldn’t have done it without her. And that is how they all became one big family.

As President she faced many difficulties, such as an extremely weak and damaged economy, several coups d’état, and natural disasters. When her term came to an end Cory retired to private life, making a few come backs to the limelight when she felt her people and her country needed her most.

Overall Cory will be remembered as the person who fought and stood up for Democracy, the one who re-established a Constitution with important legal and land reforms, and guaranteed the social and human rights of her people. And above all, Cory will be remembered as the Mother of the modern Filipino Nation and an example of integrity, decency and selflessness.

Today Filipinos can only say Kindi ka nagiisa, Cory. Salamat. You are not alone, Cory. Thank you.