Tag: Remembering Cory

THE MOTHER of our hearts has left us.

Twenty three years ago, yellow confetti rained on Edsa as tens of thousands of people marched for peace, democracy, and freedom. Leading them against a phalanx of soldiers and tanks was a woman, who had been consigned to a plain life not until her husband died a tragic death and she was forced to accept the call of duty and destiny. She was simple and soft-spoken, yet she was all the Filipinos depended on in the face of a repressive and corrupt dictatorship.

Now, Edsa and other places are again filled with the same color— not as a symbol of celebration, but as a way of thanksgiving for Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the darling of the Filipino nation and a global icon of democracy.

BRAVING monsoon rains, tens of thousands of Filipinos, including Thomasians, paid their last respects to former president Corazon “Cory” Aquino by lining up to view her remains and attend necrological services in her honor.

UST Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. concelebrated a Mass at the Manila Cathedral that was presided by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal on August 4.

The death of Aquino last August 1 shocked the whole nation who had been ardently praying for her recovery from colon cancer. She had been confined at the Makati Medical Center since June 24.

In his homily, Vidal described Aquino as “courageous and faithful who transformed fear to an outstanding weapon of bravery.”

The Mass was graced by prominent personalities and attended by thousands of people, including a UST contingent led by the Central Student Council.

THE PUBLIC got generous glimpses of public mourning amid private grief as the children of the late former president Corazon Aquino bared their sorrows over the death of someone who was fondly called the Mother of the Nation.

Members of the Aquino family told the Varsitarian they would want to remember “Cory” not only as an icon of democracy, but as a mother and best friend as well.

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Cory’s only son, emphasized his mother’s heroism in uniting the Filipinos and running the country after dictator Ferdinand Marcos was deposed and left the nation “with numerous problems.”

“She told me before how she would pity the next president after Marcos after all the mistakes Marcos did. Little did she know she was next,” he recalled.

Noynoy said his mother had fears in running for president during the snap election in 1986, but was overwhelmed by the support of the Filipinos to her.

YELLOW ribbons, a noise barrage, and a Mass comprised UST’s tribute to former president Corazon “Cory” Aquino as the Thomasian community joined the world in mourning the death of the democracy icon.

The Central Student Council (CSC) on August 1, the day of Aquino’s death, asked Thomasian students to wear yellow ribbons until August 10 to honor the “well-lived life” of the first woman president of the country.

A noise barrage was also held, bringing thousands of Thomasians wearing Aquino’s— and the University’s— trademark yellow color to the Manila Cathedral where a Mass headed by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and concelebrated by more than 20 other priests, including UST Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., was held in Aquino’s honor. CSC put the number of Thomasian participants between 6,000 and 8,000.

Who is Cory Aquino for you?

“An icon of democracy.”
-Noel Angelo Andrade, fourth-year Sociology

“An ordinary person who was entrusted with the hope of an entire nation.”
-Sean Parungao, fourth-year Accountancy

“Someone who changed my life, my views about life and Filipino society. She changed the course of history.”
-Jove Jim Aguas, philosophy professor, College of Accountancy

“I wasn’t born yet then, but I want to know her more by keeping her advocacies alive.”
-Wilfred Josue, German language instructor, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management

“Cory is an example of being a good citizen by doing simple things.”
-Marvin Buencamino, fourth-year Music

AS the late former president Corazon Aquino fought a losing battle against cancer, a worried nation stood by her in support, tying yellow ribbons around the country and on cyberspace.

Bloggers and users of social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook had sported yellow ribbons in their profile pictures to show their support in Cory’s battle. The yellow ribbons multiplied after she died as a sign of sympathy and repent.

“It’s meant to show our love and support for President Cory,” said blogger and online editor Ederic Eder, who used Twibbon, an application that promotes personal causes on Twitter.

Cory supporters also used cyberspace to collect prayers for Mrs. Aquino’s health. One example is millionprayers.wordpress.com, which serves as an outlet for people who want to dedicate prayers or send condolences to the Aquino family through SMS. Users can also cite instances on how the president had touched their lives.

SHE DID not study in UST, but by virtue of an honorary degree, the late former president Corazon “Cory” Aquino became a Thomasian and lived up to being one.

Aquino was conferred Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by UST back in 1987, a year after she led the popular uprising in Edsa that overthrew hardcore dictator Ferdinand Marcos. She was also awarded the UST Golden Cross, the highest recognition given by the University to people who excel in the promotion of arts, humanities and the sciences, or who have distinguished themselves by their total commitment to the service of mankind.

Yet her relationship with UST transcends names and titles—it’s a life-long relationship where the University’s name is scribbled all over.

Ninoy’s widow

Text of the acceptance speech delivered by the late former president Corazon C. Aquino during the conferment of the Degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, and the Golden Cross award on February 9, 1987 at the UST Chapel.

THIS IS indeed an honor and a pleasure I have long looked forward to – for on a similar occasion honoring St. Thomas More, Rev. Fr. Frederick Fermin enlightened us on the meaning of reconciliation.

DO YOU ever wonder why we call Corazon Aquino simply as Cory? We seldom call her nemesis Ferdie. Perhaps it is because the family name is impersonal; it emphasizes distance. Marcos is beyond reach; Cory is familiar.

People also prefer to call President Macapagal Arroyo as GMA. If they call her Gloria, it is almost always accompanied by epithets, most of which are not flattering. President Estrada is called Erap, but this is often used in the context of a joke. In contrast, Cory has become a term of endearment.

Perhaps we love to call Corazon Aquino by her first name because she stood out in her individuality. Yes, she was both a Cojuangco and an Aquino. But she had refused being cast in a mold that had defined her aristocratic and elitist background. She had also refused to be identified simply as a president, mother of Kris, wife of Ninoy, political activist, etc.

As quiet as you were in life

Is your passing,

the flame of your candle dimming

rather than blowing out at once.

“Family,” you said,

the word taking flight,

settling in the bosom of the people

who now hold your candle, its flame

now revived.

Your family is now the people.

Their weakness borne by your strength,

your iron faith, your intrepid hope.

Your silence will ring strong after you,

and your flame kept alive.

Your people and history will merge

soul to soul, heart to heart.