“Quo vadis?”
March 25, 2008 at 5:34 pm (Family Traditions, Random memories, The Global Crowd, The Manilenos, Tristesse)
She is very ill…
A rather forgetful and not-very-grateful Filipino nation is confronted with the looming mortality of one of the — if not THE — greatest living hero of our times. Derided during the Marcos Era as an insignificant figment of the political opposition, greatly admired during her administration, and reviled as an impractical democratic idealist during the succeeding political regimes, She stubbornly clung to her personal morals and political ideals rendered almost irrelevant by reemergent political corruption and depravity. She was the yellow-clad lady who once brought a new dawn of hope for the Filipino nation: Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco-Aquino, the noble widow of National Hero Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino.
Despite everything negative that has been said about her, the Filipino People should, and must, always remember that Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco-Aquino was the “raison d’etre” who led them during their Finest Hour exactly twenty-two years ago on 22 February 1986: when the Filipino was at his bravest, most principled, most enlightened, and most spiritual self; when All that was Best in the Filipino shone throughout an admiring, jubilant, and hopeful world!!!
For that one brief shining moment, The Filipino Everyman All over the World — “Juan de la Cruz” of the fields, the factories, the public markets and the “OFWs” of the factories, the ships, the foreign households stood proudly neck to neck and shoulder to shoulder alongside high officials, technocrats, industrialists, and the foreign employers — All were filled with Great Honor and Dignity at their Final Assertion of Democracy in our country, The Philippines.
Thank you so much for Everything, Cory. I cannot speak for anyone else but I want you to know that I will always remember what We All — The Filipino People — went through together and that I will always be grateful. For The Hope, if only for The Hope!!!
ichiro said,
March 25, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Living in Manhattan during the 1980’s as a kid… I felt proud whenever I would see President Aquino’s name being flashed in the giant news teleprompter along Times Square and at the NBC at Rockefeller. I was privileged to hear her speak at the United Nations during her historic visit in September of 1986.
During the height of the “Batang Negros” infamy in 1984-85 where the international media showed the world the malnourished children of Negros, She personally visited Bacolod as a private citizen and handed a cheque as her contribution.
l*ding said,
March 25, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Her voice resonated in the august halls of the U.S. Congress during her what is touted as one of the greatest speeches delivered in the U.S. Congress. Fight, Cory, Fight!
ichiro said,
March 26, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I remember that it was a very hard decision for President Corazon Aquino when she publicly endorsed Fidel Ramos as her anointed successor during her birthday in January of 1992. She knew it would hurt, among so many others, her closest friend Cecile Mitra — but President Aquino had to set aside her personal feelings. Her decision was based on what she thought was good for the nation and for the continuity of her nation-rebuilding programs. Cecile Mitra was one of the few remaining friends who stood by the Aquinos during their darkest days during the 1970s.
toto gonzalez said,
March 28, 2008 at 10:41 am
Rita:
I transferred your comment to the post “… and unto dust thou shalt return…” where it belongs.
Toto Gonzalez
Ritard Goliamco said,
March 29, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Very Well Written Piece. This should be published in the New York Times. The choice of words are bravado!!!
zippo said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:20 am
I heard from reliable sources that it’s Stage 4 Colon Cancer. I hope that IRM and ECJ make peace with her soon.
Z
toto gonzalez said,
April 1, 2008 at 5:25 am
zippo:
OHMYGOD. *bows head*
Toto Gonzalez
Lea said,
April 20, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I remember the time watching the program “This Week With David Brinkley” I was glued on the television, though I was quite young at that time.The fact that there was an announcement about Marcos being the guest. Marcos was interviewed by David Brinkley and George Will. asking him” If you think you still have the mandate of the Filipino People, why don’t you declare and election?” Right there he was baited to declare an election, what followed was history. Cory Aquino epitomized the filipino people. Her strength and her sacrifices to her family as well as to her country. I am praying for her
degtrsedrgfvrdsfwesdcxs said,
April 21, 2008 at 2:11 am
I don’t hear anymore about CSC vda de A. How is she?
salvin said,
June 30, 2008 at 2:30 pm
What is the “S” in CSC??
toto gonzalez said,
June 30, 2008 at 4:49 pm
salvin:
Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino.
Toto Gonzalez