FILIPINOS, who are old enough to remember the Marcos regime, would clearly understand what kind of impact Corazon Cojuangco Aquino made in freeing the Philippines from the clutches of oppression and dictatorship.
Tita Cory, (as many of Filipinos called her), only became president for one term, and never sought re-election. She, however, continued to serve the Filipino people with untiring fervor. On August 1, 2009, after losing her battle with colon cancer, Cory returned to her Creator. Today, we commemorate her third death anniversary.
The assassination of her husband, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. back on August 21, 1983 (after returning to the Philippines to start a peaceful revolution against the Marcos dictatorship) is what dragged the nondescript housewife into the limelight of Philippine politics. Tita Cory ran against Ferdinand E. Marcos, initially losing against him in a sham election.
But Tita Cory managed to pull the entire Philippine nation to rally with her in a bloodless coup — the EDSA Revolution — that finally put Marcos and his dictatorship to an end in February 25, 1986.
Although Cory’s term in office was probably the most coup-infested administration in the history of the Philippines, her legacy is timeless. Amidst the threat of election violence, corruption and oppression, the people’s respect and trust in her never faltered.
Her death in 2009 awakened calls for justice and for an end in corruption, which gave his only son, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the desire to run for President of the Philippines.
In a statement released by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Cory’s third death anniversary it said, “She (Tita Cory) was, in so many ways, the nation’s moral compass – a constant presence that personified not only the greatness Filipinos could achieve but also the people’s staunch determination to defend and nurture our democratic institutions and the principles she and millions of Filipinos help restore and rebuild.”
We saw Tita Cory in many forms during her colorful life: as a housewife, a candidate against Marcos, a leader, a fighter, a social worker, a beacon of hope and faith and a moral compass. Most of us also regard Tita Cory as a mother — one who always reminded us to nurture our democracy and freedom.
Much has changed in the country since Tita Cory died. For one, it is her son, President PNoy, who is now trying to continue her legacy of freedom and democracy. The Philippines still has much to improve – whether in government and/or economic status – but we have been fortunate enough to have had a Corazon Cojuangco Aquino to change our path.
(AJPress)
