Di Ka Nag-Iisa! Salamat at Paalam Tita Cory

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!