Thanks, Tita Cory

President Corazon Aquino (January 25, 1933 - August 1, 2009)

I was 10 years old during the 1986 EDSA Revolution.  I did not have a clear grasp of what’s happening in the country that time, but I was already a witness to the nation’s history in the making. School classes were suspended for several days so I was basically left to watching tv and listening to the radio.

The Filipino people were binded by the courage to fight against dictatorship and won democracy through a bloodless revolution led by the then politically inexperienced homemaker and mother of five, Maria Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. Since then, I realized her contribution to the contry’s reshaping and to the freedom we are enjoying up to this time.

President Aquino served as the 11th president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. She is, not only the country’s, but Asia’s first female president. Her administration was not the best, but she gave all her effort to keep the nation intact, after a very bad regime. What was more impressive was she was able to surpass several attempts to take away her leadership and maintained her power and fortitude.

She inspired the whole world and several other people power movements from across the globe started to fight against being oppressed and for freedom.

President Aquino’s awards and distinctions are numerous and include: Woman of the Year Time Magazine, the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award, the United Nations Silver Medal and the Canadian International Prize for Freedom (wic.org).

She makes me so proud to become a Filipino. Her contribution to the country’s history can never be quantified. I think she deserves full honor and respect on her passing today. Thanks, Tita Cory. May the country continue to carry the inspiration you are leaving behind.