Who is Cory?

(First published online on September 9, 2009)

(Author's Note: this post was made in accordance to the 40th death-day of the late President Cory Aquino who greatly influenced the majority of the Filipino.)

August 4, 2009 - 9:14pm

People often know me as a man who values time more than anything. I believe that the most essential part in a human life is thinking how to manage his own time. I, for one, surely put my every schedule into notes so as I can properly handle it. However, with a very hectic schedule, I still managed to join a very momentous event not only to some but to the entire nation.

It was past 9pm when we arrived at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros. In front of the Church and of Plaza Roma, face-to-face with a gigantic tarpaulin which also serves as a freedom wall for Filipino's messages was the beginning of our journey to pay respect for the late former President Maria Corazon 'Cory' Cojuanco Aquino. It was not just a simple event for it was indeed part of the country's colorful history.

It was the last night of the former president's wake when we decided to visit and see her on her casket. At first, I hesitated but after a lot convincing, I joined my block-mates. More on paying some respects, when I was merely waiting for my turn to see her body, I busied myself in understanding and/or knowing who the late president was based from the thousands of people who also fell in line with us.

From a simple wife, to a grieving widow, and to being the nation's 11th President, people stayed with Cory all throughout. More to being the world's icon for democracy and a symbol for unity was an imperfect lady who never thought of using an excuse not to govern a dying country. She used her position to proclaim in the whole world that 'hey, this is Philippines, don't belittle us'. She got remarkable appraisals from the big states abroad and by simply existing, she proved that it was truly worthy to become a Filipino. She considered herself as a mother more than a wife and indeed, she played a very good role in caring for her countrymen as their mother.

Step by step, I tried to unfold what was with President Cory that people were moved or touched and fell in a very long line just to see her body for the last time. As I started in front of Manila Cathedral, I thought, Cory was the most prayerful leader the Philippines had. She was not a typical woman who would only pray in times of trouble. With her, prayer was like the second thing to breathing. In her almost every interview, she never forgot to mention the Lord. For that, not just the political sphere but also the religious side mourned and will continue mourning for this very great loss. Back then, during her time when she was fighting for the Filipinos, along with her family was the Lord whom she believed was her greatest adviser. The question that bothered me most then was; can we still have someone who will lead us politically side by side with religiosity without hiding his or her true identity, just like what President Cory did? I know that politics must not be associated with the Church however, if President Cory did it during her regime then why can't we do it? As an additional information, President Cory Aquino was the first non-Catholic Bishop who was laid in the Manila Cathedral.

As we continued falling in line, people in front of us seemed to be too happy, telling stories of their own lives without any connection to the late President. They were laughing too hard and at first, I got pissed off. But later that time, I realized that they were somehow similar to the President. From almost every interview and speeches that the President had, never did the people see her not smiling. She had a very great sense of humor and recorded that during her regime, only once did she get really angry. However, years passed, when she recalled the incident, she was just smiling on it. She exemplified that Filipinos are truly a nation of smiling baboon, just joking, hehehe. She symbolized all the Filipinos' attitude that life is worth smiling. In every event, wearing of a smile can make things better. With a smile, you can change things for the better, just like what President Cory did. A great sense of humor will help you succeed.

That historical event also became a good bonding time for families who shared the same goal in viewing and paying respect for the late leader. It was raining hard and we needed to battle with mud and rocky road but the families who battled with us stayed united and intact to achieve their common goal. It then occurred to me that they were also like the President that during her hardest moments, never did her family got divided specially on the decision-making process. Blessed with four kids who grew with her and stayed with her up to the last minute of her life, they still managed to be closed with each other thus giving life to the traditional characteristic of a Filipino family, the closed-ties which differentiate us from the other nations.

Since it was the last night of the wake, people from various walks of life visited the Cathedral. We could see the poorest of the poorest and even the glamorous celebrities and politicians present in the burial. This showed the symbol of the President in the society that even the socially-disadvantaged could truly feel the great loss of our nation. She, being in the cover of the worldly-known Time Magazine, also belongs to elite class however she did not excuse herself from relating to people of various classes.

We almost roamed the entire walled-city just to see the body of President Cory. It was indeed a hard time but we never hesitated because falling in line seemed to be just having fun. We got wet from the heavy downpour of the rain but when we reached the side of the church, volunteers happily welcomed us by giving drinks that quenched our thirst. The volunteers  worked hard as well as to satisfy the people's needs. They also did it as a way of giving gratitude to the people who stayed with the President until her death. It was a way similar to what the President did during her time. She served the country not that she truly wanted it but she just wanted to volunteer in changing the government. After her term, she voluntarily assigned people to guard the process of election and she also voluntarily moved out of the Palace. She exemplified a leader who voluntarily worked hard without expecting anything in return. Through this, she was truly admired.

At last, after almost five hours of complete standing, walking and getting wet, five minutes after two in the morning, we finally saw the lady we admired. She was very gorgeous that I never imagined seeing her like that. She was skinny but her dress elegantly illuminates her body. She was guarded by two soldiers, and flowers surrounded her beautiful coffin. A five-hour of wait was equal to a five-second glance but it was all worth it. We felt contented and we understand that being part of the nation's colorful history, we really had to wait for so long. Outside the church, we were faced with a beautiful challenge that this country still has a hope and as part of the youth, what can we do to achieve it? I, for one, will use my writing and intellectual skills to make this country a better place.

I got home past 3am of August 5, and since I no longer felt asleep, I just opened the television and watched the live video coverage done in honor of the late President.

Her body and/or presence might be gone but her memories and the things that she did for all of us will always be remembered. Thanks, President Cory.