Maraming Salamat Tita Cory. Paalam!

Since her death last Saturday, August 1, my feeling towards it has been bittersweet. I felt sad because it's a tremendous loss for our country but at the same time happy because she will not be suffering that much from her illness. But more than this, there's only word that comes into my mind: UNITY. The whole country stopped with whatever they're doing and celebrated Tita Cory's reunification with God and Ninoy. The political hooplas and the holdapan sessions were taken into a break, as they want to witness and pay respects to the former President of the Free Republic.

I don't know her personally. My dad did, back in his DTI days. But I got to see what she did for the country during my childhood days: from the Coup in 1989, the earthquake in 1990 and the endless blackouts & Pinatubo explosions in 1991. I also remember that back in September 16, 1991 (my 10th birthday), this was the day when the senate imposed for the US forces to leave the Clark-Subic bases for life. She was against it but after 18 years I guess it has been all good. If it weren't for the Joes' departure, we wouldn't have a big semicon plant there (which shoot up investments soar-high level) and it has developed into an industrialized area.

Anyhoo going back to this, my folks and I had a wonderful lunch yesterday. We talked about how they fought really hard for democracy and freedom. My dad shared when he was in DTI, during Mina Gabor's time, it was some sort of taboo to be with the opposition, or else, kulong or dampot to the highest level ito. But my dad didn't care and he had lots of yellow ribbons and Ninoy posters all over our 1979 Toyota Corona. When Ninoy died in 1983, my dad went to Sto. Domingo church to see the remains of the former senator and when his body was sent to Manila Memorial, he said that he carried me on his back and joined the crowd towards the burial site. Although he didn't reach Paranaque, he felt good that he was able to pay homage to the great leader. Then in 1986, my parents volunteered to be NAMFREL watchers in the snap elections and later on, they joined with the rest of the Filipinos at the People Power Revolution. Even if I was 5 years old, I remember that we were there (in Luneta going towards Malacanan at first then we went to EDSA afterwards) and exclaimed "Cory Cory" and made those "laban" hand gesture signs.

After three presidents, I felt that the country didn't change that much. But Tita Cory strongly believed that there's always hope in the Philippines because hope was brought back in 1986. Well, this is her pamana to me. =) I'll keep on believing that there's always hope.

She's indeed an icon, a hero to all of us. Like her husband, her stand was and has been "the Filipino is worth dying for", but at the same time, she proudly said "the Filipino is worth living for". My dad shared this picture and we were all like "Why not? Puwede noh?"

Halurvit! Puwede tlga noh?

Ninoy and Cory were not just parents to their 5 offsprings, they were parents to the Filipino people. As parents, they fought for what is right for the country, a democratic nation. That's the legacy they left to us.

Hero Honeyz Specs

During the 5-day necrological services, the Pinoys from all walks of life were in bereavement. My family and I got the chance to go to the Eucharistic celebration of Tita Cory's first night at the Manila Cathedral and as what I raved in FB, it was such a solemn event. It was also my first time, since EDSA Dos, that I prayed hard to Jess for the nation. (Corporate toxicity made me apathetic... Nooneenoo). I was just enthralled.

After the mass, soldiers guarding Tita Cory

Different effect naman...

Some of her flowers...

Mommeeeeh...

Who would've thought that a simple housewife made a huge difference in her life? Who would've thought that someone who was perceived to be meek and mild administered and led this country with 7,107 islands? Tita Cory pulled it off with such courage and strength. I think so can we, even from our smaller spheres.

Once again, thank you Tita Cory. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nagawa mo sa bayan. Paalam.