Corazon Aquino, a woman of courage. (SFS, blusparks.wordpress.com)
Today, former President Cory Aquino, wife of statesman Ninoy Aquino and restorer of democracy in the Philippines, passed away.
Her son, Sen. Noynoy Aquino composedly made the announcement: “Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m., August 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest. She would have wanted to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country.”
Cory would be best remembered perhaps for leading the Filipino people in the 1986 EDSA “People Power” revolt, which brought and end to more than two decades of dictatorship by Ferdinand Marcos. This was a fight she carried on after her husband, Senator Ninoy Aquino, was assasinated in 1983 for opposing the dictatorship. She ran for president in 1986 and won, restoring democracy, and press freedom in the country. I really believe that the People Power movement inspired people in other countries to oppose dictatorship, especially the former Soviet Union and Germany. I distinctly remember a news footage (in Russia, I think) showing civilians lying on the street to stop military trucks and tanks. That was what thousands of Filipinos did in 1986 to show their support for Cory.
Her government was criticised for doing little to alleviate poverty. But how does one undo in six years the social evils committed in the past 20 years? Her goverment survived seven coup d’etat attempts and transitioned peacefully in 1992. She continued to be active in the political scene, along with religious institutions, fighting for truth and transparency in the governent. Before she was diagnosed with colon cancer last year, she was an active supported of Jun Lozada in his crusades against corruption in the present administration.
With the life she lived, she’s leaving the Filipinos a strong message: courage, faith in God, and love for country.
…Looming from the battle her courage will never fade.
Amidst the hardships she has remained
Undaunted and unafraid
She is calm and composed. She is God’s lovely maid.- from a poem to Cory written by Ninoy
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