INTELLECTUAL MASTURBATION

raging_ritch

2:05 AM, August 5, 2009-Intramuros, Manila

"Who is Cory Aquino?" a teacher from North Fairview onced asked her students. The answer she got from one of her students was,"she is the mother of Kris Aquino."   

Then I began to think, how well do I know Corazon C. Aquino, the 11th President of my beloved country. I know i cannot answer that definitely. I had to come up with valid reasons to have a good excuse as to why I do not have a good picture of this first female president. I reasoned that i was only 7months old when she was sworn into office after the Edsa People Power and by the time she stepped down from office, i was busy playing like most 7-year olds.

I observed parents who brought their teens and pre-teens to pay their last respect to Tita Cory. Along the way, their mom gave bits of information regarding the Cory. I was moved by the gesture of giving importance to the role Cory has played in our politics. Like myself, these youngsters have limited idea of who Tita Cory is.

As we fell in line several blocks away from the Manila Cathedral, I noticed foreign nationals wearing "Salamat President Cory 1933-2009" shirts  complete with yellow ribbons on their chest or arms. I was amazed on how these foreigners' gesture to acknowledge what she has done for the Philippines and yet this generation of Filipinos, myself included, barely have a good idea of what she has done and what she stood for.

The rain poured hard and the throng of people began to soak but people patiently waited for their few seconds to have a glimpse of Cory.  As we get closer to the Manila Cathedral, people started chanting "Cory" repeatedly lasting for minutes.This must have been how it felt during the Edsa People Power. I could only guess. I could only imagine.


I stood in line for more than 7 hours just to have my 10-second viewing privilege of the "Philippine's Beacon of Democracy". Those few seconds gave me an experience I would never forget and always cherish. I may not have been in the People Power 1 where she lead the nation in toppling the Marcos Regime. I may not have been in Edsa Dos where she once again proved her charisma nor have I been there when barely 4 years after, she called on PGMA to resign from office.  The experience in totality is the closest thing I could get to experience the charisma and magic of Cory Aquino, my first and last close encounter with the Filipino who proved that  Filipino pride is more than a 12-round boxing bout and  numerous title belts.

                                               Salamat po, President Cory.