Once in my Life, Cory Aquino made me proud to be Filipino. Today and forever, let's , make our nation truly a place where people truly care for each other. Paalam Madame President, please watch over us in these trying times. Salamat at HINDI KA NAG-IISA KAILAN MAN!
pia
8/8/2009 9:23:42 PM
I thank the Lord for you Pres. Cory.You're a blessing to our country.I'll always remember you and I'll take part in telling the next generation about you.I'll be praying for your family.
Anonymous
8/8/2009 9:22:15 PM
Tita Cory, thank you for all the things you have done and i am proud to be Filipino because of you and i thank God too for being Filipino.
Always be merry with Ninoy there in heaven please watch over us from there and pray for us too.
sarah reyes
8/8/2009 9:21:53 PM
A Personal Tribute Cory Aquino and her People Power Legacy by Sarah P. Reyes
I was not even 10 years old in 1986 when the People Power Revolution happened. My family lived in the heart of Manila, a few blocks from Malacanang Palace, right in the middle of the action so to speak. Countless demonstrations passed by our house. During the massacre of the farmers in 1987, we heard the gunshots ringing from down the street. During all the coup attempts on the Aquino government, we could hear the crossfire then the whizzing of jet fighters overhead, as they came to quell the rebellion.
It was like having a front-row seat to Philippine history, which was either in chaos or in celebration, depending on what was happening that day. But since I was not old enough to realize just how dangerous the happenings were, it all seemed like an adventure to me. I remember jumping up and down because there were several days when school was called off. One of my most vivid memories was -- as one of Marcos’s campaign motorcades passed in front of our house -- I stepped outside in my bright yellow t-shirt emblazoned with Cory Aquino’s face and name, and started heckling them. My parents probably didn’t know I did that because if they did, I would’ve surely been quickly ushered back into our house.
Those were tumultuous, heady days and my parents, in their own small way, were each involved in the opposition. My mom joined NAMFREL [National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections] and my dad participated in BAYAN -- the word itself translates to “Nation” but it is an acronym of sorts for Bagong Alyansang Makabayan [New Patriotic Alliance], a communist-leaning umbrella group of various labor unions.
My parents opened our house to group gatherings and meetings so there were always random people, talking and eating. And because I was a kid, I didn’t realize that in their own quiet way, my parents were risking their lives for their convictions. Theirs was the generation that witnessed the declaration of martial law and the stripping of personal and constitutional freedoms. Theirs was the generation whose brothers and sisters took to the streets to protest the Marcos dictatorship and when that didn’t work, fled to the mountains, bore arms and fought in the revolution. Back then if you were involved in such things and were unlucky, you would just disappear and your family would never see you again. Marcos and his minions were responsible for executing hundreds of activists, revolutionaries, and members of the opposition.
One such opposition leader was Ninoy Aquino, the husband of Cory Aquino. He was like the Martin Luther King, Jr. of the Philippines. He fought against social injustice and died for his beliefs. Ninoy’s assassination galvanized the Filipino people against Marcos. As the world looked on in awe and admiration, our families, friends, teachers, workers, priests and nuns took the streets in the hundreds of thousands and turned themselves into human shields in the face of Marcos’s guns and tanks. And, we won. After 20 years of dictatorship, Marcos left. Ninoy’s widow, Cory, was swept into the presidency through a nonviolent People Power Revolution. The rest was history.
Now 23 years later, I have a deeper understanding of the events of those days. As an adult, I look back and realize the crucial weight of the EDSA Revolution. Before 1986, there was no other time in modern world history when an autocratic ruler was peacefully toppled from power by masses of ordinary people.
EDSA was unprecedented and has since inspired other fights for freedom -- the fall of the Berlin Wall and of communism in Eastern Europe, the events of Tiananmen Square, Aung San Suu Kyi’s quiet personal struggle for democracy in Myanmar, and now, the protests for free and honest elections in Iran. The world has looked and still looks to EDSA as an example of how a whole nation can rise up and win freedom back without any bloodshed. It was our one shining moment as a Filipino people. And Cory was our leader and inspiration, our beacon of light -- the anchor that held our nation together.
At this point, it seems cliché to say that the freedom we enjoy now – Philippine democracy – is her legacy. Perhaps even this whole piece is a cliché. Numerous articles and tributes have already been written and maybe they all say the same thing.
However, I can’t help but think that her death could not have come at a more opportune time – especially now when certain elements in government who have less than noble intentions of furthering their own political ambitions are threatening the very institutions of democracy for which Cory and our people fought.
Now, more then ever, is the time to remember, honor, and live up to her legacy.
Ninoy said, “The Filipino is worth dying for.” Cory said, “The Filipino is worth living for.” Now that they are both gone, we cannot afford to forget their legacy. Instead, we need to earn it as a nation, a government, and a people – now and always.
And THAT could never be just a cliché.
Nikko Minguez
8/8/2009 8:52:37 PM
Thanks for the great efforts you have offered for the filipino people.You're the reason why this country is worth living for.We love you. Thank you very much!
jake
8/8/2009 8:33:49 PM
thanks president cory for showing us that you are a good model to our country may you son and daugthers continue your good deeds for the prosper of this country.we will missed you.
Pawiepaupau
8/8/2009 8:33:22 PM
To me, you are an inspiration to all Filipinos. You exemplify what it is to serve God and to serve the Philippines. Thank you for bringing back our democracy, that we are able to do the things we can do today. You are an example of what faith, hope and love really is. Thank you po Tita Cory, mahal po namin kayo.
jenikay
8/8/2009 8:20:38 PM
thank you, for the efforts you have made for our country. may all Filipino people will continue the legacy you've fighting for. long live the democracy which you and your husband fights for.
Mabuhay ka! and paalam.. . .
Janette
8/8/2009 8:17:57 PM
Heartfelt Thanks...for all that you have done.Our Country's a better place because of You... We Love You Tita Cory. Maraming Salamat Po!
Janette
8/8/2009 8:17:53 PM
Heartfelt Thanks...for all that you have done.Our Country's a better place because of You... We Love You Tita Cory. Maraming Salamat Po!
