How does one say good-bye to a beloved president?
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27555)
Philippines
August 4, 2009 1:18am CST
Ever since the cold-blooded murder of her husband Ninoy Aquino in August 1983, Cory had been in every Filipino's sub-conscious. One relates to her, I - like a daughter to a mother. When she toppled the dictator in the historic and unprecedented People Power Revolution of 86, she became president to a people yet divided. When she relinquished her power to conform to a peaceful transfer of administration, she became an ordinary citizen that everybody beloved in the deepest recessed of their hearts. Inevitably, she became Tita Cory, a testament that she is family whom one can always cling to in times of troubles. Now that she has gone back to heaven, it is difficult to say goodbye. The queue to her wake had quadrupled, that is not even counting the people power veterans who are still busy with work. I belong to the group of indisposed who perhaps cannot make it to the interment procession. I already missed the confetti and the Bayan Ko singing that had been our trademark decades ago. I lit candles in my altar and allowed plenty of tears in the privacy of my room. Godspeed Tita Cory, you will forever be in my heart.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@rsa101 (40976)
• Philippines
6 Aug 09
Yes I too was not able to be present in that historical event but I know that she knows each of us will be missing her presence here in our country. I was only in my high school when she ran for presidency. I wasn't able to vote for her yet but I know my whole family did support her to win in that election. During her term I saw the big difference how she ran her government to the government I grew up with. I saw how democracy really work in her term. I finished my college under her term and when I got my first job she was already stepping down from power. I admired her truly when she never took advantage of her position to ran for another term. although she could have easily decided because under the new constitution she can ran for another term again but with all humility and dignity she announced her decision not to take it and chose to become a private citizen instead. After that she became quiet for sometime and only surfaced when she felt that the nation is in peril again of being abused by those in power. With her leaving us, it would truly be different now that we have lost a truly great leader model and a good citizen who loves her country so much.
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@rsa101 (40976)
• Philippines
6 Aug 09
Basically, I was at that level too when EDSA revolt was happening. But unlike your sister I have a pretty much awareness level on what the political situation before as I was in Bicol province. Bicol province during those times where one of the provinces that did is not supportive of the Marcos Regime so our way of thinking was always like that of an oppositionist during those times. When Cory arrived in our place she was most welcomed by our province and I think Bicol was one of the few places that voted for her wholeheartedly. She won almost a landslide in my place. When EDSA happened we rejoiced at knowing that the dictatorship was toppled peacefully and being young at that moment just gave me a good impression of what Cory was during those times.
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@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
6 Aug 09
My sister was a bit sheltered, being the youngest in the family. She was also loaded with science and math subjects, being a scholar at the Philippine Science High School at the time of the revolution. When the revolution ended, she was happy for Cory, too. The exposure might not be as intense as with me and my brothers but she responded gallantly, too for a fourteen year old.
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@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
6 Aug 09
My youngest sibling was in 2nd year high school when the EDSA Revolution took place in 1986. She was very quiet as I and my two brothers responded to the call of duty at EDSA. When the dictator was finally deposed, my little sister shed some tears. I asked her why she was crying and she answered that Marcos was the only president she knew. She thought of him as good and responsible for his people. That was what the textbooks and the newspapers made her believe. She was shocked by all the deception in her young life. I told her that's all right. We were all repressed by the regime. Then she asked me one favor. Could I bring her to EDSA? Tired as I was, I brought her to Crame where the helicopters were making their final rounds, onwards to a better government with the president of the people, Cory Aquino.
@marites31 (267)
• Philippines
5 Aug 09
It is sad that she was already taken from us. but most definitely she has been happy that she was able to share herself not only to her family but also to us filipinos. she is truely a role model or an icon, not only as a politician but as a person, friend, mother and sister. she showed it not only by words but also thru action. the filipinos is most thankful to you president aquino because you have enlightened lots of hearts to be patient, kind and have faith in Him.
This is the only way i can say goodbye to her, by giving prayers although i know she is already on the side of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Mrs. Corazon C. Aquino. May you lead our country to its best even if you are far away from us.
1 person likes this
@mensab (4200)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
i think the best way to say goodbye to a beloved president is not to say goodbye. like our beloved ones, it is really difficult to say goodbye. we tried as much as possible to keep part of them in our lives. cory is a symbol of uncompromising resolve and fighting spirit for democracy and freedom. let us keep her spirit among us so that we won't slide back to authoritarian regime.
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
Cory is the only President that we could say that lived up to the ideals of every Filipino. She never became corrupt when she was the President, and she was never hungry for Power. It is sad to think that she is gone now. Perhaps it is the best way. She in not anymore in pain. We just hope that we will continue her legacy to have a democratic transition of goverment and make sure that no one will cling to power for so long.
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@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
I do agree, completely. Let us still be vigilant. Many of the legislators and executive officials we have elected had become abusive of their powers. Let us not allow them to tarnish the memory of our beloved President Cory.
