Remembering Tita Cory

I was born at the height of the Martial Law in the Philippines. During the snap elections held in the early 80's, I was rooting for the then President Ferdinand Marcos. Being young that I was, I always took the side of the incumbent. I never knew about the martial law atrocities then. My consciousness revolved within my town and school.

During the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, I stayed at home not know what is happening around the country. I did not even notice that there already was a change in leadership.

My television viewing was limited to cartoons, the occasional television series showing women in bikinis, and good old Filipino movies. I got to read about Tita Cory's presidency in my grandfather's (God, rest his soul) monthly supply of Free Press.

I got to know more about Marcos in one edition of Playboy I stole from a hidden bookshelf.

Tita Cory's term faced many coup attempts mostly led by a former ally, the aide of then Minister of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, Col. Gringo Honasan. I even saw a picture of Noynoy brandishing a submachine gun while escorting his mother. Kris was far from my recognition that time until she came out in one of the Hong Kong action films I watched when I was in high school.

In one occasion, I heard about rumors that during one coup d'etat, President Aquino hid underneath her bed. This was denied by the President. She even showed her presidential bed to the media. She raised the bed sheet showing the solid block of wood underneath as opposed to the usual construct of beds raised from the floor by four legs.

I think I heard or read her say "how can I get under the bed?"

After her term ended, Tita Cory quietly turned over the position to her successor Fidel V. Ramos.

In my memory, she remained unattached from the government until Erap was elected president and controversies about the new head of state came out.

In all those years, Tita Cory remained as a beacon for democracy among Filipinos.

Yellow has remained a color associated with the people's will.

With her joining our Maker, she will be able to watch over here beloved countrymen beside God.

Our condolences to her family and our prayers that she receive everlasting peace.

She did her part.

We still have to do ours.

For dreams stronger than death.