Monday, August 10, 2009

Maraming Salamat po, Tita Cory

Book of Condolence President Corazon Aquino 003
Dearest Madame President,

Today the Filipino nation ends it's official period of mourning for your passing. I sense however, that many of us will continue to mourn you in our hearts for much longer. We have you to thank for restoring democracy to our most deserving nation. The world has you to thank for showing us that even a "mere housewife" in a yellow dress can stand up against, and defeat a dictator. You began a tidal wave of people power that did not only sweep across the Philippines, but found it's way to the shores of many nations who longed to rid themselves of tyranny.

I have you to thank for awakening in me, even at a young age, a pride in my people. Pride in our long and tortured history of enduring and fighting against foreign oppressors, and then, oppression from one of her own sons. I was born a martial-law baby, but I never grew up as a martial law child. I knew a little bit about where I had come from, but mostly I knew that it was a place where corruption was the norm, and the "little guy" really had no power. But from our family room in Brampton, I learned lessons that no history book could have taught me. My family would gather each night to hear the evening news from the homeland. From that fateful day in 1983 when your husband was assassinated, until 1986 when you stood before the United States Congress declaring that you had returned as the "President of a free people", we were there in spirit. I learned that I had come from a place of brave heroes who stood up for what was right even if it meant death. But what impressed me the most, was the fact that my people did not regain their freedom, this time around, through bloody revolution. They did it with songs, prayers, flowers, and their own bodies to face down the military's tanks. Equally impressive was the refusal of the military to fire against their brothers and sisters. And so from the Avenue of Epifanio Delos Santos I received my own epiphany.... thanks to you President Corazon Aquino.

As we bid you a final farewell, I know that in the hearts of most Filipinos you are welcomed into the pantheon of Filipino Bayani - heroes who have, through the centuries, sacrificed, fought, and died for the sake of their people's freedom. And so from a grateful son of a grateful nation and people please accept my eternal thanks, respect, and love. Paalam po.

Book of Condolence President Corazon Aquino 005

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4 comments:

The Nomadic Pinoy said...

A well-written tribute Angelo! I haven't visited the PhilConGen yet but I heard from one blogger that the condolence book signing has been extended.

Puss-in-Boots said...

That's a lovely tribute to the late Corazon Aquino, Angelo. She did such a log for the Filippino people and she was an amazing woman who did so much to reverse the evil of the Marcos regime. RIP Madame President.

lucas said...

hays... it's amazing how her death reunited the Filipino people for one day at least..

dodong flores 도동 플로오리스 said...

Hi, Angelo. I agree with Nomadic Pinoy. Here's a well-written tribute for a dear icon of democracy.

Paalam po, Tita Cory...