People Power heroine
CORY AQUINO
CORY AQUINO
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the Year for the State
of Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the Year for the State
of Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
| For more Asian American stories in Wisconsin, click: |
Ninoy was assassinated on the tarmac of Manila International Airport when he went back to the Philippines in 1983. He was wearing
the same clothes stained with his blood during his wake, which thousands of people attended, including myself. Thousands of people
joined Ninoy’s funeral march, shedding tears for a fallen “hero” who was considered the only hope for the restoration of democracy in the
country.
Three years later, Ninoy’s housewife Cory joined the EDSA People Power Revolution that finally ousted Marcos from power. She
became president of the Philippines in February 1986 — the first woman to ever become president of the Philippines, and the first plain
“housewife” to occupy the seat. She succeeded in changing the dictatorial system that the Marcos regime was known for. She called for
the convening of a Constitu-tional Commission composed of elected members to rewrite the Philippine Constitution. I was very lucky to
have been chosen to become an editor of the Commission. I was honored to have been part of that democratic change.
When the Philippine Constitutional Commission’s work ended, its secretary general, lawyer Flery Ruth Romero, became Cory’s
special assistant. To my surprise and excitement, Atty. Romero invited me to be her executive assistant in Malacañang Palace. It was an
opportunity that I couldn’t pass so I immediately said ‘Yes!’ Imagine working two doors away from Cory’s!
Cory Aquino was a plain housewife, yes, but she was highly educated (she completed her bachelor’s degree in the U.S.) and was
exposed to political issues because of Ninoy. Her family was also highly political and well-known in the province of Tarlac. She was fluent
in both French and English, and could talk and inspire people at any level. Cory’s intelligence, confidence and determination were proven
time and again as she dealt with challenging issues that faced a new government that rose from the ashes of the Marcos regime. Her
wise selection of highly capable individuals and activists to assist her in rebuilding the nation was amazing. I am proud and honored to
have been part of that effort, although my contribution was a tiny speck of the whole.
Cory worked so hard to achieve Ninoy’s wish — regain a democratic government for the Filipino people. It’s her glowing legacy, and
no one can take that away from her.
Tita Cory can now rest in peace.
the same clothes stained with his blood during his wake, which thousands of people attended, including myself. Thousands of people
joined Ninoy’s funeral march, shedding tears for a fallen “hero” who was considered the only hope for the restoration of democracy in the
country.
Three years later, Ninoy’s housewife Cory joined the EDSA People Power Revolution that finally ousted Marcos from power. She
became president of the Philippines in February 1986 — the first woman to ever become president of the Philippines, and the first plain
“housewife” to occupy the seat. She succeeded in changing the dictatorial system that the Marcos regime was known for. She called for
the convening of a Constitu-tional Commission composed of elected members to rewrite the Philippine Constitution. I was very lucky to
have been chosen to become an editor of the Commission. I was honored to have been part of that democratic change.
When the Philippine Constitutional Commission’s work ended, its secretary general, lawyer Flery Ruth Romero, became Cory’s
special assistant. To my surprise and excitement, Atty. Romero invited me to be her executive assistant in Malacañang Palace. It was an
opportunity that I couldn’t pass so I immediately said ‘Yes!’ Imagine working two doors away from Cory’s!
Cory Aquino was a plain housewife, yes, but she was highly educated (she completed her bachelor’s degree in the U.S.) and was
exposed to political issues because of Ninoy. Her family was also highly political and well-known in the province of Tarlac. She was fluent
in both French and English, and could talk and inspire people at any level. Cory’s intelligence, confidence and determination were proven
time and again as she dealt with challenging issues that faced a new government that rose from the ashes of the Marcos regime. Her
wise selection of highly capable individuals and activists to assist her in rebuilding the nation was amazing. I am proud and honored to
have been part of that effort, although my contribution was a tiny speck of the whole.
Cory worked so hard to achieve Ninoy’s wish — regain a democratic government for the Filipino people. It’s her glowing legacy, and
no one can take that away from her.
Tita Cory can now rest in peace.
On this issue is a personal account of writer and activist Gus Mercado (a Filipino American based
in Texas) about his relationship with the late Philippine President Cory Aquino and her husband,
Benigno or ‘Ninoy.’ I share his sadness — and that of the rest of the democratic world — for the passing
of ‘Cory,’ the housewife who became president as a result of the 1986 People Power Revolution at
EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Ave. in Makati).
For those who are not familiar with the Philippines’ political history, Ninoy Aquino was the arch
enemy of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the Philippines for 20 years (1965-1985). When
Marcos declared martial law in 1972, Ninoy was right away arrested, together with several outspoken
social and political activists of the time. He was imprisoned at a military camp for several years and
was only allowed to leave for the United States to undergo a much-needed heart surgery. Many thought
Marcos “freed” Ninoy for health reasons to show his human side to the world; but in fact didn’t want him
back in the country. Ninoy’s friends had advised Ninoy to reconsider his decision to go back, but Ninoy
stood firm, saying “The Filipinos are worth dying for.”
in Texas) about his relationship with the late Philippine President Cory Aquino and her husband,
Benigno or ‘Ninoy.’ I share his sadness — and that of the rest of the democratic world — for the passing
of ‘Cory,’ the housewife who became president as a result of the 1986 People Power Revolution at
EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Ave. in Makati).
For those who are not familiar with the Philippines’ political history, Ninoy Aquino was the arch
enemy of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the Philippines for 20 years (1965-1985). When
Marcos declared martial law in 1972, Ninoy was right away arrested, together with several outspoken
social and political activists of the time. He was imprisoned at a military camp for several years and
was only allowed to leave for the United States to undergo a much-needed heart surgery. Many thought
Marcos “freed” Ninoy for health reasons to show his human side to the world; but in fact didn’t want him
back in the country. Ninoy’s friends had advised Ninoy to reconsider his decision to go back, but Ninoy
stood firm, saying “The Filipinos are worth dying for.”
| Heidi with Cory Aquino in Malacanang Palace in 1987 |
| Intimate portrait and memories of Cory Aquino |
Gus Mercado
By Gus Mercado
It is not easy to add anything new to the thousands of eloquent lines already written in honor of someone
deeply beloved by a grateful people. The skies cried on the day thousands of mourners joined the eight-hour
procession to Cory Aquino’s final resting place next to her beloved husband Ninoy. Drenched by pouring rain,
the entire nation grieved. Along with the rain shower, thousands of heartfelt sentiments, prayers and tears of
sadness poured out like petals from the skies. The scene was reminiscent of two related historic events – the
funeral of her husband Ninoy in 1983 and the anti-dictatorship rallies in the business centers of Makati when
showers of yellow confetti welcomed them.
Friends and supporters from all over the world have paid tribute to the lowly housewife who took on,
albeit reluctantly, the spirit of Ninoy, a man convinced that the Filipino people were worth dying for, and who
It is not easy to add anything new to the thousands of eloquent lines already written in honor of someone
deeply beloved by a grateful people. The skies cried on the day thousands of mourners joined the eight-hour
procession to Cory Aquino’s final resting place next to her beloved husband Ninoy. Drenched by pouring rain,
the entire nation grieved. Along with the rain shower, thousands of heartfelt sentiments, prayers and tears of
sadness poured out like petals from the skies. The scene was reminiscent of two related historic events – the
funeral of her husband Ninoy in 1983 and the anti-dictatorship rallies in the business centers of Makati when
showers of yellow confetti welcomed them.
Friends and supporters from all over the world have paid tribute to the lowly housewife who took on,
albeit reluctantly, the spirit of Ninoy, a man convinced that the Filipino people were worth dying for, and who
brought our country from the ranks of the most promising economy in the region to becoming a basket
case in Asia. When in our moments of hopelessness and despair during Marcos’ martial-law regime,
we all thought the darkness would never end. Cory surprised the whole world not with arms or power
or cunning but with sincerity and integrity and prayer. Thus, the now famous bloodless People Power
Revolution of 1986 came to be, led by this simple and unassuming lady in yellow, who became an
inspiration for many “people power” uprisings that ensued in Eastern Europe, Russia, South America
and even China.
Like gold that’s tested by fire, a person’s character is tested by tribulation. All the trials that
came her way, Cory passed with flying colors. She faced Ninoy’s imprisonment and brutal slaying
with dignified courage. She challenged a seemingly invincible dictatorship and restored freedom and
democracy. The Cory-led Filipinos showed the world that a revolution can be non-violent. We taught
the world how a revolution can be won without bloodshed and the world stopped, applauded and took
notice of this small country in Southeast Asia. That would be Tita Cory’s greatest legacy.
Private Moments in Time with “Tita Cory”
My wife Ethel and I also have our indelible moments in time with Tita Cory. I first met Cory at De
La Salle University at the height of the parliaments of the streets, with students and people from all
walks of life massively demonstrating against Ferdinand Marcos. We were members of “Ninoy
Aquino’s Youth Brigade” at De La Salle with Philip “Popoy” Juico and other student activists. Cory
would usually accompany Ninoy to his meetings with us, and she regaled us with her simplicity and
charm. The De La Salle campus has since been one of Cory’s favorite venues – a place where she
found comfort, solace and support – up to the very end when the family decided to have the first
case in Asia. When in our moments of hopelessness and despair during Marcos’ martial-law regime,
we all thought the darkness would never end. Cory surprised the whole world not with arms or power
or cunning but with sincerity and integrity and prayer. Thus, the now famous bloodless People Power
Revolution of 1986 came to be, led by this simple and unassuming lady in yellow, who became an
inspiration for many “people power” uprisings that ensued in Eastern Europe, Russia, South America
and even China.
Like gold that’s tested by fire, a person’s character is tested by tribulation. All the trials that
came her way, Cory passed with flying colors. She faced Ninoy’s imprisonment and brutal slaying
with dignified courage. She challenged a seemingly invincible dictatorship and restored freedom and
democracy. The Cory-led Filipinos showed the world that a revolution can be non-violent. We taught
the world how a revolution can be won without bloodshed and the world stopped, applauded and took
notice of this small country in Southeast Asia. That would be Tita Cory’s greatest legacy.
Private Moments in Time with “Tita Cory”
My wife Ethel and I also have our indelible moments in time with Tita Cory. I first met Cory at De
La Salle University at the height of the parliaments of the streets, with students and people from all
walks of life massively demonstrating against Ferdinand Marcos. We were members of “Ninoy
Aquino’s Youth Brigade” at De La Salle with Philip “Popoy” Juico and other student activists. Cory
would usually accompany Ninoy to his meetings with us, and she regaled us with her simplicity and
charm. The De La Salle campus has since been one of Cory’s favorite venues – a place where she
found comfort, solace and support – up to the very end when the family decided to have the first
rallied all of us to fight for freedom against a homegrown tyrant. President
Aquino, who was “Tita Cory” to all her friends, has been described as the
Filipino Joan of Arc; the yellow Icon of Philippine democracy; the mother
of the nation; the widow of the modern-day Jose Rizal who also died for
his people; a spiritual leader and caring mother. They were all correct, of
course. Few former heads of state who passed away have received such
glowing adulation and warm love from a grieving nation; not since Ramon
Magsaysay’s untimely death.
President Barack Obama, deeply saddened by news of Aquino’s death,
said Aquino “played a crucial role in Philippine history. Her courage,
determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and
exemplify the best in the Filipino nation.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed Aquino as an inspiration to her
and her husband, former President Bill Clinton. “I extend my deepest
condolences to the Aquino family and all the people of the Philippines on
the death of this great leader,” Clinton said in a statement.
The lady in yellow will be most remembered for leading all freedom-
loving Filipinos in crossing the Rubicon of democracy; a democracy that
had been missing in the country during two decades of a one-man rule that
Aquino, who was “Tita Cory” to all her friends, has been described as the
Filipino Joan of Arc; the yellow Icon of Philippine democracy; the mother
of the nation; the widow of the modern-day Jose Rizal who also died for
his people; a spiritual leader and caring mother. They were all correct, of
course. Few former heads of state who passed away have received such
glowing adulation and warm love from a grieving nation; not since Ramon
Magsaysay’s untimely death.
President Barack Obama, deeply saddened by news of Aquino’s death,
said Aquino “played a crucial role in Philippine history. Her courage,
determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and
exemplify the best in the Filipino nation.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed Aquino as an inspiration to her
and her husband, former President Bill Clinton. “I extend my deepest
condolences to the Aquino family and all the people of the Philippines on
the death of this great leader,” Clinton said in a statement.
The lady in yellow will be most remembered for leading all freedom-
loving Filipinos in crossing the Rubicon of democracy; a democracy that
had been missing in the country during two decades of a one-man rule that
| Ninoy Aquino (middle) after his heart surgery at Baylor in Dallas, shown with his physician Roly Solis (left) and community leader Gus Mercado (right) at the latter’s residence in Plano, Texas. |
Soon after taking office, President
Cory Aquino welcome author Gus
Mercado and his group in
Malacañang Palace.
Cory Aquino welcome author Gus
Mercado and his group in
Malacañang Palace.
public viewing of her on that same campus.
I came to the U.S. in late August of 1972 on the advice of Ninoy, who knew exactly how and when the dictatorship would stage martial
law in the country. We left a few weeks before martial law was declared, with a one-year-old daughter in tow and $500 in our pocket. We
then immediately joined up with the anti-Marcos groups of Senator Raul Manglapus (the Movement for a Free Philippines) in New York and
later the Ninoy Aquino Movement under Senator Heherson “Sonny” Alvarez. My father died in 1974 and I could not go home, which was
especially painful being an only son. I had been warned by a friend in the Philippine embassy that my name was on the dreaded “black list”
of the cruel regime, with orders to be picked up at the airport once we set foot on Philippine soil.
My wife did not have the same problems and she would meet with Cory at the Ayala Museum during the Makati anti-Marcos rallies
that followed the dictator’s sham elections. Ethel served as emissary and letter carrier for Cory when she had letters to be hand-delivered
to her sister-in-law in the U.S., Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara and other leaders of our so-called “steak commandos” in the U.S. She also
videotaped Cory’s messages to show to the exiled freedom fighters.
Cory freely and openly led the street demonstrations, rallying thousands of supporters. When asked if she was not concerned about
her safety, her brave response was: “Oh, I have no fear. When Ninoy died, I already died with him. What you see is Ninoy’s spirit inside
this yellow dress. Not to worry, the good Lord will protect me.”
Flashing back three years to 1981, we will never forget the time when Ninoy had to be flown to Dallas for his triple-bypass heart
surgery at Baylor, accompanied by Cory and later by their children. After his surgery, we would visit them at a small apartment in north
Dallas, where astonishingly, they would leave the back windows open, in clear view of the dark parking lot where a sinister assassin
could easily position himself. “What should I be scared of?” said Ninoy. “I have had everything I wanted in life, and after seven and 1/2
years in solitary confinement, I feel like every day after my successful heart surgery is bonus! I will live it to the fullest, and when my time
comes, so be it!”
Ninoy and Cory gladly accepted our invitations to have dinner with us at our house in Plano, Texas with a houseful of community
leaders. The first time was Ninoy’s first public appearance in the U.S. after seven and 1/2 years in military prison. Until past midnight, he
regaled the Dallas Pinoys with his brilliance and wit, his photographic memory and his stories about his confinement and every topic
under the sun, it seemed. His clairvoyance and his genius were also something to behold. That was 26 years ago, and he predicted the
coming of cell phones and GPS, at least conceptually, to the delight of everyone raptly listening. He told the ladies: “The day will come
when you can track the exact whereabouts of your husbands, maybe even see them from above via satellite.”
And where was Cory all this time? In our kitchen, quietly trying to help Ethel prepare drinks, egg rolls and sandwiches. She was the
simple and quiet, doting housewife. “Pabayaan mo nga iyang si Ninoy, sabik na sabik talaga sa audience.” (Let Ninoy talk; he misses his
audience a lot.)
When I mixed a White Russian with mostly Kahlua and ice, and offered it to Ninoy, he quickly obliged and gulped it down like water.
“This packs a hell of a wallop, Gus, what’s in it?” After a short while, his face grew very red, he became flustered and his tenor changed
drastically. He got very serious and started lambasting Marcos and his minions. When reminded of his pact with the Supreme Court not to
attack the regime, he angrily responded with his now famous phrase: “A pact with the devil is no pact at all!” I became worried and Cory
was also visibly concerned. So I asked his physician, Dr. Roly Solis, who had reassuring words for everyone in the party: “That was likely
his first alcoholic drink for almost eight years, but he will be fine.”
All the community leaders present had a wonderful time with Ninoy and Cory, and for those who could not make it to the reception, he
quickly dictated on a portable recorder: “To all the good kababayans in Dallas-Fort Worth under the leadership of Gus Mercado, I extend my
best wishes and my deepest gratitude for all your kind thoughts and prayers. Cory and I congratulate you for your personal successes in
this, your adopted land, and the encomiums that you have earned as a community. I feel that soon enough, sooner than later, all the mist of
controversy in our beloved homeland will lift, and be melted by the rising sun, and our country will emerge once again as the great beacon
of freedom in that part of the world, which is our greatest legacy to Asia. Therefore, it is with deep regret that I leave without seeing you
and meeting you personally, shaking your hands and thanking you for your warm sympathy. But I assure you that you will always be in my
prayers, as I hope I will be in yours. With our sincerest thanks and warm wishes … Ninoy and Cory.”
The Aquinos' brief stay in Dallas, prior to settling in Boston, seemed mostly quiet and uneventful, like an ordinary family enjoying their
new-found freedom and togetherness. This was in spite of the hordes of reporters and government officials that tried to hound them. While
Ninoy would face the media and the curious government officials tirelessly, Cory would spend time with her children and friends shopping
at Target or Kmart. They lived simple and unpretentious lives with no earthly idea of what was to come and what destiny history had in
store for them.
The rest, as they say, is history. First came the fateful day of Ninoy’s assassination in 1983 which cut short Cory’s and their children’s
joyful new lives in the U.S. Then, the massive demonstrations and finally, the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986. We vividly
remember hearing on the radios the blow-by-blow account of the EDSA revolution while demonstrating and chanting in front of the White
House in snowy Washington, D.C. along with other members of the Ninoy Aquino Movement. With our loud protestations, we were strongly
sending then President Ronald Reagan the message that he should let Marcos go. Which, of course, he did within that same fateful week.
Our last truly memorable moment in time with Cory was when she invited our Texas-based NAM group to Malacanang, only a few weeks
after she assumed the presidency. We were among the first U.S. groups to visit her after the EDSA revolution toppled the dictatorship and
sent the tyrants into exile. Like the new President, everybody was wearing yellow dresses or sporting yellow ribbons on their barongs. The
Malacanang Palace was still in shambles, but the new leader was resplendant in her new role as the nation’s “messiah,” who freed the
ilipino people from bondage. Her transformation was incredible; from the simple, doting mother and housewife to an astute politician and
stateswoman whose legacy as a world leader that changed a nation would be admired and cherished the world over.
Thankfully and characteristically, even as a leader of 80 million Filipinos, Cory Aquino’s sense of humanity, simplicity and humility
never changed. When Ethel hugged and addressed her as “Madame President” in Malacanang, she responded: “Ikaw naman, Tita Cory na
lang!”
Corazon “Tita Cory” Aquino – the lowly housewife and mother turned leader, the icon of Philippine democracy, the widow of a modern-
day national hero and martyr, the matriarch of a grieving nation – now belongs to the ages.
Gus Mercado is Asian Wisconzine’s contributing writer from Texas. Reactions to this article may be sent to: gusmercado@verizon.net.
I came to the U.S. in late August of 1972 on the advice of Ninoy, who knew exactly how and when the dictatorship would stage martial
law in the country. We left a few weeks before martial law was declared, with a one-year-old daughter in tow and $500 in our pocket. We
then immediately joined up with the anti-Marcos groups of Senator Raul Manglapus (the Movement for a Free Philippines) in New York and
later the Ninoy Aquino Movement under Senator Heherson “Sonny” Alvarez. My father died in 1974 and I could not go home, which was
especially painful being an only son. I had been warned by a friend in the Philippine embassy that my name was on the dreaded “black list”
of the cruel regime, with orders to be picked up at the airport once we set foot on Philippine soil.
My wife did not have the same problems and she would meet with Cory at the Ayala Museum during the Makati anti-Marcos rallies
that followed the dictator’s sham elections. Ethel served as emissary and letter carrier for Cory when she had letters to be hand-delivered
to her sister-in-law in the U.S., Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara and other leaders of our so-called “steak commandos” in the U.S. She also
videotaped Cory’s messages to show to the exiled freedom fighters.
Cory freely and openly led the street demonstrations, rallying thousands of supporters. When asked if she was not concerned about
her safety, her brave response was: “Oh, I have no fear. When Ninoy died, I already died with him. What you see is Ninoy’s spirit inside
this yellow dress. Not to worry, the good Lord will protect me.”
Flashing back three years to 1981, we will never forget the time when Ninoy had to be flown to Dallas for his triple-bypass heart
surgery at Baylor, accompanied by Cory and later by their children. After his surgery, we would visit them at a small apartment in north
Dallas, where astonishingly, they would leave the back windows open, in clear view of the dark parking lot where a sinister assassin
could easily position himself. “What should I be scared of?” said Ninoy. “I have had everything I wanted in life, and after seven and 1/2
years in solitary confinement, I feel like every day after my successful heart surgery is bonus! I will live it to the fullest, and when my time
comes, so be it!”
Ninoy and Cory gladly accepted our invitations to have dinner with us at our house in Plano, Texas with a houseful of community
leaders. The first time was Ninoy’s first public appearance in the U.S. after seven and 1/2 years in military prison. Until past midnight, he
regaled the Dallas Pinoys with his brilliance and wit, his photographic memory and his stories about his confinement and every topic
under the sun, it seemed. His clairvoyance and his genius were also something to behold. That was 26 years ago, and he predicted the
coming of cell phones and GPS, at least conceptually, to the delight of everyone raptly listening. He told the ladies: “The day will come
when you can track the exact whereabouts of your husbands, maybe even see them from above via satellite.”
And where was Cory all this time? In our kitchen, quietly trying to help Ethel prepare drinks, egg rolls and sandwiches. She was the
simple and quiet, doting housewife. “Pabayaan mo nga iyang si Ninoy, sabik na sabik talaga sa audience.” (Let Ninoy talk; he misses his
audience a lot.)
When I mixed a White Russian with mostly Kahlua and ice, and offered it to Ninoy, he quickly obliged and gulped it down like water.
“This packs a hell of a wallop, Gus, what’s in it?” After a short while, his face grew very red, he became flustered and his tenor changed
drastically. He got very serious and started lambasting Marcos and his minions. When reminded of his pact with the Supreme Court not to
attack the regime, he angrily responded with his now famous phrase: “A pact with the devil is no pact at all!” I became worried and Cory
was also visibly concerned. So I asked his physician, Dr. Roly Solis, who had reassuring words for everyone in the party: “That was likely
his first alcoholic drink for almost eight years, but he will be fine.”
All the community leaders present had a wonderful time with Ninoy and Cory, and for those who could not make it to the reception, he
quickly dictated on a portable recorder: “To all the good kababayans in Dallas-Fort Worth under the leadership of Gus Mercado, I extend my
best wishes and my deepest gratitude for all your kind thoughts and prayers. Cory and I congratulate you for your personal successes in
this, your adopted land, and the encomiums that you have earned as a community. I feel that soon enough, sooner than later, all the mist of
controversy in our beloved homeland will lift, and be melted by the rising sun, and our country will emerge once again as the great beacon
of freedom in that part of the world, which is our greatest legacy to Asia. Therefore, it is with deep regret that I leave without seeing you
and meeting you personally, shaking your hands and thanking you for your warm sympathy. But I assure you that you will always be in my
prayers, as I hope I will be in yours. With our sincerest thanks and warm wishes … Ninoy and Cory.”
The Aquinos' brief stay in Dallas, prior to settling in Boston, seemed mostly quiet and uneventful, like an ordinary family enjoying their
new-found freedom and togetherness. This was in spite of the hordes of reporters and government officials that tried to hound them. While
Ninoy would face the media and the curious government officials tirelessly, Cory would spend time with her children and friends shopping
at Target or Kmart. They lived simple and unpretentious lives with no earthly idea of what was to come and what destiny history had in
store for them.
The rest, as they say, is history. First came the fateful day of Ninoy’s assassination in 1983 which cut short Cory’s and their children’s
joyful new lives in the U.S. Then, the massive demonstrations and finally, the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986. We vividly
remember hearing on the radios the blow-by-blow account of the EDSA revolution while demonstrating and chanting in front of the White
House in snowy Washington, D.C. along with other members of the Ninoy Aquino Movement. With our loud protestations, we were strongly
sending then President Ronald Reagan the message that he should let Marcos go. Which, of course, he did within that same fateful week.
Our last truly memorable moment in time with Cory was when she invited our Texas-based NAM group to Malacanang, only a few weeks
after she assumed the presidency. We were among the first U.S. groups to visit her after the EDSA revolution toppled the dictatorship and
sent the tyrants into exile. Like the new President, everybody was wearing yellow dresses or sporting yellow ribbons on their barongs. The
Malacanang Palace was still in shambles, but the new leader was resplendant in her new role as the nation’s “messiah,” who freed the
ilipino people from bondage. Her transformation was incredible; from the simple, doting mother and housewife to an astute politician and
stateswoman whose legacy as a world leader that changed a nation would be admired and cherished the world over.
Thankfully and characteristically, even as a leader of 80 million Filipinos, Cory Aquino’s sense of humanity, simplicity and humility
never changed. When Ethel hugged and addressed her as “Madame President” in Malacanang, she responded: “Ikaw naman, Tita Cory na
lang!”
Corazon “Tita Cory” Aquino – the lowly housewife and mother turned leader, the icon of Philippine democracy, the widow of a modern-
day national hero and martyr, the matriarch of a grieving nation – now belongs to the ages.
Gus Mercado is Asian Wisconzine’s contributing writer from Texas. Reactions to this article may be sent to: gusmercado@verizon.net.