On Wednesday, August 5th, former President Corazon C. Aquino, will be laid to rest. After suffering from colon cancer for the last year-and-a-half the lady in yellow, “Tita” Cory, quietly passed away at 3:18AM. She was the embodiment of peace, change and hope for millions of Filipinos. That was in 1986 – the year when Filipinos woke up from their complacency and took to the streets for their rights and for their freedom.
I was away at university at that time. I was sitting in my room with the television set glued to CNN as images of the Philippines’ snap elections were being broadcast. I saw images of my friends taking to the streets, some rallying the crowds with fervent speeches and some acquaintances being taken to the emergency rooms after being beaten at the polling stations. It was with frustration and excitement that I sat there with my American friends watching history transpire.
She delivered a magnificent speech to the US Congress in 1986. It was written by now House of Representatives member Teodoro “Teddy Boy” L. Locsin, and she made it greater with her simple, humble and sincere delivery. The members of Congress loved it, and their respect and awe for her was manifested by their outstanding and equally sincere welcome of her to their home.
Cory and her administration will be criticised for their shortcomings in instituting economic and political reforms. But it was her honest resolve to return freedom to her countrymen that gave Filipinos inspiration and hope. These are two conditions that today are seemingly in short supply.
