Tying That Yellow Ribbon

To the world, she is the widow in yellow who toppled a dictatorship in a stirring show of People Power in 1986.  To her native Philippines, she is the courageous president who saw off a series of coups d’etat and single-mindedly restored the institutions of democracy.  But to herself, Corazon C. Aquino is a plain housewife who, in all conscience, could not refuse her country’s call to service when her husband, former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., was assassinated in 1983.  She continues to serve after her term of office ended in 1992 through her work with nongovernmental organizations.  “What is important is that we believe in the Almighty and that we try to do whatever we can to help ease some of the sufferings of our people,” she says.  “I always tell my children:  ‘I don’t know how many good years I still have left, but whatever I can do at this time, I really want to be able to continue not only for the cause of democracy, but also to help in bringing about a better Filipino.”  For the rest of my life, I will be doing whatever I can to improve things.”

-written by Mr. Cesar R. Bacani, Jr.

I rummaged the bodega this morning searching for that little yellow People Power t-shirt I wore in 1986. Amidst the dusts and smell of old wood and boxes, I started crying because I couldn’t find it. And so I sat on the floor and just wept. 

Today, the woman who gave us the gift of democracy will be laid to rest.

THANK YOU, Madamme Cory! I owe my patriotism to only you.