I wouldn’t make it long and complicated with adding up the details. I’m currently listening to the mass being held in Manila Cathedral. I didn’t make it on her wake, but with prayers and dedication to the proclaimed “Mother of Philippine Democracy,” it’s a sad day.

The weather somehow cooperates. Rain pouring because the heaven is mourning, but the sun shines because we also celebrate her life and what she did. Seems that we’re tracing back to the “heaven’s mandate.”

It made me realize though that we as human beings have a mission in life to fulfil. As I was reading “The Fifth Mountain” by Coelho, I later realized the full colour of Tita Cory’s life, from her sufferings to her victories. Somehow, she became one of my institutions of inspiring to live life to the fullest. Somehow, it made me realize that having faith in God doesn’t meant suffering and pain as most people would thought of. Somehow, it made me think that in this life, there are some things that we take for granted but needs focus and emphasis. Somehow, the sacrifices that she made as a housewife and a viuda made me realize that strength doesn’t come alone but through support and through faith.

She may not be the perfect president. She may not have lived up to the expectations of the Filipinos after EDSA Uno. She may have weathered several coup d’etat attempts. She may have not eradicated feudalism. But she brought back what is supposedly for the Filipino people…democracy. And somehow inspired us all to live with the democracy that was restored after 2 decades of totalitarian rule.

And as 2 decades have past, the wounds were healed, at least. There is something about our mother. There is something about Tita Cory. Now, she is with Ninoy and God, her mission fulfilled. It made me realize that we too have a mission to fulfill as Filipinos. It made me realize that being apathetic does not do good to our society. Apathy is somehow we have to combat. Apathy is what Tita Cory fought within us. That we, Citizen Pinoy, are responsible for the actions of our countrymen, ourselves as Filipinos. That change comes from us and not only just a marked social revolution. She’s really the “ilaw ng tahanan.” Ilaw ng Bayan!

Somehow, Corazon Cojuanco Aquino touched my life even though I do not know her personally nor somewhat close to the Cojuancos or Aquinos. But somehow, there is something about her that made me sad learning about her death. There is also somehow a reason to celebrate as well. Life, dedication, passion, love of country, love of family, sacrifices have reasons, suffering ends.

The skies mourn her passing, but the sun shines at the same time. Tita Cory is no longer here, but as what Coelho said, “she went back to the Great Spirit.” She is everywhere now, somehow more powerful and omniprescent than she was still in her mortal life.

For us Filipinos, we may not live in a perfect world. Corruption lingers after EDSA Uno. Feudalism still lingers and power still to the elitist few. Yet we couldn’t just leave Tita Cory’s legacy burnt to ruins, we couldn’t blame her. We still have a long way to go but she made a move that a housewife has done so greatly. It’s time that we, the Filipinos, should continue our struggle to achieve the true meaning of democracy. That we Filipinos have a responsibility to fulfill. That we Filipinos should learn our lesson from the history. That we Filipinos shouldn’t take things for granted. We still have to carry on with this struggle. Kumilos/maghulag kita!

To Tita Cory: “Talagang di ka nag-iisa! Mabuhay po kayo!”

Mabuhay ka Tita Cory! Madamu guid nga salamat sa imo nga pag-guia sa amon halin sa kadulom sang diktaturya pakadto sa demokrasya! Madamu guid nga salamat! Padayunon tani namon guihapon ang imo nga kausa, sa pakigbato sa korupsyon, sa pakigbato sa matuod nga demokrasya para sa katilingban kag sa banwa sang Pilipinas!

Our Lady of Peace and Half Mast Philippine Flag, EDSA Shrine (Photo by Flow Galindez)

I just learned earlier this morning of the passing of a Philippine icon of democracy. A caring housewife and widow of a senator turned into a mother of millions of people after ousting 2 decades of autocratic rule. As the heavens of Manila cried over the passing of Corazon “Tita Cory” Cojuanco Aquino, former president of the Republic of the Philippines, she has left a mark in Philippine history that restored democracy, weathered several coup d’etats and became a symbol of power of Filipino women and a mother. This article I write shows defiance on that fateful day when the heavens created a miracle, and Cory was one of its instruments. To Tita Cory: Many thanks and be happy with Ninoy and to God, you have done well in your life. Padayon!

EDSA Today

Epifanio de los Santos Avenue or EDSA for short spans around 24 kilometers. Named after a Filipino historian, it was once known as Highway 54, it forms a semi-circle road which links the cities of Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon and Caloocan and considered to be one of the busiest thoroughfares in Metro Manila (with about more or less 200,000 vehicles per section everyday!). Also called C-4 or Circumferential Road 4. I know that this wouldn’t be my last post about this very interesting road that we have at the heart of Metropolitan Manila.

Ortigas Interchange, EDSA

A major artery of socio-economic force not just in the capital but also of the country itself, as it connects several important financial, educational, residential and government institutions of the country.

On February 1986, being the location of two important headquarters of both the PC (Philippine Constabulary, Camp Crame, successor is today’s Philippine National Police) and the military (Camp Aguinaldo), people barricaded the streets in protest and defiance with the Marcos rule. The public outrage, brought by the assassination of the opposition figure late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino in 1983 and the so-called “dayaan sa (cheating at) Snap Elections” in which Tita Cory (wife of Ninoy) run against the Marcoses during those times.

“Sobra na, Tama na, Palitan na!” (It’s too much, that’s enough, let’s change it) was the battlecry of multitudes who went in to EDSA on that day, defying and courageously confronted the tanks and guns with flowers, food and rosaries.

As the people cried for change, this strong defiance of status quo has reached it’s mark when the Marcoses fled to the United States and installed Corazon Aquino as the new president of the republic. That was a fateful February. I was only 2 months old by then.

The Shrine

It was not so long ago when people went here and ousted another president, that was in 2001. Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was accused of corruption that sparked another revolt, and yes they all went to EDSA once more. Meeting place: EDSA Shrine.

EDSA Dos Relif at EDSA Shrine

Tell me, what’s with this place that it seems to be a magnet of protest and defiance on authority on a peaceful note? Perhaps the lure of the first EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986. The shrine was constructed in 1989 as a remembrance of the mass action that ousted a dictatorship. A miracle that happened at EDSA with no blood shed in the road.

EDSA Shrine, Quezon City, Philippines

The big statue of Mary, Queen of Peace is a famed landmark. A reminder of the democracy that we Filipinos cherish more and that peaceful day when millions joined hands in facing what it seems to be an impenetrable forces.

It does not only serve as a reminder and a landmark, but also its a venue for Catholic masses as well. Yes, its not just a monument, but also a Catholic Church.

Our Lady of Peace, EDSA Shrine

Today, its located just at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue in Quezon City. Going there is as easy as pie. You can take an MRT (go down at Ortigas Station and walk towards Robinsons Galleria), bus or taxi here from almost anywhere in the Metro.

So whenever you think about EDSA, think again. It has done probably so much of its span in  much of our daily lives that we didn’t noticed the little things it has done for us today. Philippines stood here, historically and socio-economically.

More photos below: