After years of living a peasant life in a promise land, the widower returned to her motherland. Full of grief not excitement, full of sorrow not refuge. Cory Aquino came back to bury her beloved husband without knowing that someday she will become a hero and will light the fire that will lead the nation towards a new beginning.
This day marks the 40th death day of former President and Mother of Democracy Corazon "Cory" Aquino. She ended her fight against Colon cancer last August 1, 2009 with a peaceful heave of breath. Even until her death, Tita Cory's undying love for the country and faith in God transcended into the hearts of every Filipino.
Children who were born decades after she assumed the role entrusted to her by the masses, came out in the streets to see her lifeless remains transported by a lorry from La Salle Greehills to the Manila Cathedral. Symbolic it may but the two places where she laid for public viewing were witnesses to her ascend from being a plain loving wife and mother to being the bearer of the torch of freedom.
Streets were filled with sentiments to bid their farewell and pay last respect to the first Filipina president and only Filipino to appear on Times Magazine three times. Gracing the cover of the magazine when she won the Presidency in 1986, then when she was named Woman of the Year, and when she passed away last August.
In her own modest way, she united the country under one color. The color of freedom restored and promise of democracy rekindled. Known political figures from her regime and present, business icons and economists that pledged undying support for her when she declare her candidacy in 1986, and the common people, who showed allegiance to her walked side by side, mourning and weeping for they do not only lost a president, but an epitome of a true leader that offered her life to liberate the people from a tyrant leader.
Amidst the raging heat of the sun and piercing downpour of rain, the Filipino people showed their utmost gratitude and respect to Tita Cory. Gratifying her for a leadership that is by the people and for the people. She may not be as perfect as many want her to be, she still proved that faith in God and faith in her values will create a lasting effect to a nation dragged and decayed by dictatorship.
Dear God, thank you for giving us our beloved President Corazon Aquino. A leader, a mother, a president, a servant.
