No Sorrow to Die

No Sorrow to Die

by Marie Jeddah B. Legaspi


There is no school for presidents -
Apparently, yes, but one good mother is worth a hundred schoolmasters. Tita Cory taught us Filipinos how a mother, a plain housewife turns into a global symbol of democracy.


On August 1, 2009, Noynoy Aquino confirmed the death of former president Corazon Cojuangco–Aquino due to cardiac arrest at the age of 76. The Philippines shimmered with yellow ribbons. As the news spread, people prayed for her soul, grieved, and some left flowers as tribute. Thousands of mourners started lining up to give their last respects. Cory once again revealed the collective emotion unseen in the country for several years. All because one can survive everything nowadays, except death, and lived down everything, except a good reputation.


Benigno Aquino, on his return to oppose the dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, was assassinated at the tarmac of Manila airport on August 21, 1983. The pungent incident ignited Mrs. Aquino’s motherly spirit of considering her role to family, a wider concept of family. A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity; and defies all odds and crushes down ruthlessly all that stands in its path. Surpassing some tough circumstances, Cory declared her candidacy for president regardless of the strong objections from many in her family, and emerged as the country’s defender of freedom... and only hope.


The dying concept of democracy as a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve relived. It all started with the birth of a bloodless revolution which sprouted the aims of ordinary Juan dela Cruz to reclaim their freedom, through a massive display of national solidarity. The People Power Philippine saint (Time magazine called her saint) proved the dictator wrong, as he derided Cory as “just a woman” whose place was in the bedroom. But with unity and growing appreciation of the Filipino’s freedom, the “just a woman” who never dreamt of becoming a president buckled down to work at the Malacañang, in aid of prioritizing the restoration of national democracy.


No, she’s not the best country leader -
But just a widow who led her nation to freedom and makes sure her sons will not lose it again.

And that’s just way better than being named as a president.


The outcome of 2001 EDSA 2 People Power made Cory revisited the deepest utility of nation. She was back to her natural role as a nurturer unlocking the fullest potential of every Filipinos trapped in the worst scenario of culture poverty. She served as a pillar in the survival of democracy on the part of rejecting violence and developing nonviolent means to combat evil and advance the good.


“Goodbye mom, Thank you very much.”

And so the Filipinos bid farewell. Laban hand signs, yellow confetti, balloons, shirts, and flowers shined under the gray skies, closely alike to how my mom told me of the picturesque 1986 EDSA days. The clouds gather around the setting sun; heavy rains poured but thousands stayed and followed the funeral procession. Now is the pay back time – redemption of what she had earned to people’s rewarding human experience. Her motherly love served as the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.


And because she had loved life, she shall have no sorrow to die. Cory Aquino will remain a courageous woman who will eternally stood up as a mother of democracy. Her hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that once ruled the country, and the world. Her relationship to the Filipinos will always be remembered as she showed how great the Filipinos are...

And could be, again.


PHOTO: http://d.yimg.com/hb/xp/star/20090801/16/1015893305-cory-aquino-1933-2009.jpg