Crowds Honor the Passing of Corazon Aquino

By Alicia Cruz
Senior writer
theblackurbantimes

MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine President, Corazon Aquino, died Saturday after a year-long battle with colon cancer.
Crowds reminiscent of the 1986 "people power" demonstration lined the streets to honor the passing of former President who captured the hearts and devotion of millions Filipinos by ousting a brutal dictator and keeping democracy alive in the Philippines back in the 1980's.

Corazon became a Philippine political figure and President of the Philippines (1986-1992) after her husband, Benigno Simeon Aquino (Ninoy) was assassinated at the Manila Airport in 1983. Corazon (Cory to her friends and family) was born Corazon Cojuanco, was the daughter of a wealthy landed family and was educated in Manila and at Roman Catholic convent schools in the United States. She graduated from Mount St Vincent College in New York and studied law at Far Eastern University in Manila. Following her husband's release from prison in 1980, she moved to the United States following his release from prison in 1980. After her husband's funeral, Aquino remained in the P.I.where she went to work in the legislative election campaign and later became President.

Thousands of mourners honored Aquino by wearing her signature color -- yellow. Tey carried yellow balloons and ribbons and tossed yellow confetti from building tops on to Aquino's flag-draped casket as it passed lain atop a flatbed truck and driven along the streets. Yellow was her signature color and the symbol of the non-violent movement that ushered in an era of democracy after 20 years of authoritarian rule.

Traffic in Manila came to a standstill as the cortege inched along its five-hour procession through the city, including Ayala Avenue, where Aquino led many pro-democracy marches. Motorists rolled down windows and put out their hands to flash Aquino's trademark "L" sign for "laban," or "fight" in Filipino, the key slogan of the anti-Marcos campaign.
"I really just appreciate the love," said daughter Kris Aquino of Monday's gathering. "Everybody's saying thank you to us for sharing my mom."
At a time when some fear for the future of Philippine democracy, or at least are skeptical about the intentions of its politicians, Monday's gathering transcended class and wealth, underscoring the groundswell of public feeling that propelled the "people power" uprising of 1986.
Nuns, priests, students, wealthy residents and their uniformed maids all jostled for space on the crowded sidewalks and people repeatedly chanted her name. Company employees watched from the windows of towering office blocks. Women, some dressed in black, wept. A man on a bicycle released four doves.
"Thank You Corazon Aquino" and "You're Not Alone" — another Aquino slogan — was emblazoned from huge banners. Even the Philippine Stock Exchange's streetside neon screen eschewed the usual ticker of stock prices and flashed Aquino's portrait and a message: "Goodbye Cory."
The funeral convoy briefly stopped at a monument to Aquino's husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. — whose 1983 assassination upon his return from U.S. exile to challenge Marcos would propel Corazon Aquino to the forefront of the anti-Marcos opposition movement.

I think businesswoman Bing Cuchatin, who wore a yellow blouse and hair ribbon, made one of the most heartfelt statements in relation to Ms. Quino's passing: "The memory of Aquino will continue to be a potent weapon against any threats to democracy. There is only one Cory and she's really a big, big loss," Cuchatin said. "But there are so many now who stand for her ideals."

Since her death on Saturday, the casket had been open for public viewing at a school stadium. It was finally driven Monday to Manila Cathedral, where her children, former Cabinet members and fellow pro-democracy activists gathered for a Mass. Her body will lie in state for public viewing until Wednesday's private funeral. She will be buried beside her husband.
In a rare conciliatory gesture, Aquino's youngest daughter Kris said her mother had forgiven all her political enemies, including Marcos.
Nevertheless, Kris Aquino said her family refused current President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's offer of a state funeral because the government had attempted to recall two soldiers assigned to guard her mother when she was still alive. Former Philippine presidents traditionally have the right to retain at least two guards.
Aquino's only son, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, said the family would not be too enthusiastic to see Arroyo at the funeral but she could pay her respects.
Months before she was diagnosed with cancer, Aquino joined street protests organized amid opposition fears that Arroyo could amend the country's 1987 constitution to lift term limits or impose martial law to stay in power when her term ends next year. Arroyo has said she has no desire to extend her term.

Having left office in 1992 after serving 6 years, Aquino aka "Tita (Auntie) Cory", as she was affectionately referred to by Filipinas, will never be forgotten and her efforts have left a legacy. Mayshe rest in peaceful bliss and may God bless her family and the people of the Philippine Islands.