Remembering the Icon

By Rolo B. Cena
Arabian Diaries
Dumaguete Star Informer
09 August 2009

The bloodless and gunless EDSA Revolution in February 25, 1986 vividly flashed back in my memory after listening to the news that the sole icon of Philippine Democracy passed away. Reviewing the memory was like watching a classic war film “The Longest Day” that speaks about World War 11. The only difference is: EDSA 1 does not speak of “guns” while the movie details more of these.

Anyway, as an active student leader of the period whose ideology centered on freedom and democracy, the Aquinos (both Ninoy and Cory) inspired me to write a satirical essay entitled “Let the Filipino Flag Fly Proudly” and the longest poem I ever have written “El Dia Filipina”. The essay speaks about the hostilities and cruelties of the period (Marcos Era) while the poem speaks about the hostilities noble Filipinos experience from Spanish period to the Marcos Era.

Juxtaposed with other Philippine Presidents, Madam Cory has her own peculiarities: first, she’s just a plain and simple housewife who did not intend to run had it not been due to the massive and aggressive signatures campaign for her; second, she has no political party to cling to except the one organized by her husband Ninoy; and third, she has no political platform to adhere to if she would run as president for the ailing Republic.

By popular demand, the Snap Election catapulted her to power. The great Philippine Dictator was ousted and was ferried by force to Hawaii on the account of the US Government. Madam Cory Aquino and Doy Laurel ran the affairs of the Republic with gusto.

Madam Cory introduced change that overwhelmed the entire populace of freedom-hungry Filipinos. She re-created the two chambers that produce what we now have as House of Representatives and House of the Senate. She dismantled monopolies; she disorganized organized “bureaucracies”. She created departments needed during those times and dissolved ones that were not; those that were redundant. She privatized government corporations, especially utilities, oil companies and major industries. She changed names of streets, structures, and building though the purpose of which, arguably, is obviously political and personal in nature and apparently not outstanding.

She fashioned her own niche in the history of the Country. She created history for her, for her husband and for her family.

While she succeeded in the majority of her economic and political reforms, she failed in the most important aspect of her political life: sanction the assassins of Ninoy.

Along with her (and her team) aggressive campaign for continuous economic and political reforms for the Country was her continuous quest for enlightenment to the gray areas of the pact-finding result regarding the assassination. It was a dual and a taxing role for her during the times. Yet, this simple and plain housewife-turned President managed to survive the ordeal. She outstood weariest of economic worries, smashed the never-ending ace balls of political instabilities, survived the deadliest attempts to her life, and most importantly, brought the Republic of the Philippines into the World Map once again.

It was amazingly unbelievable; it was unconceivable!

It was a feat for her: highly notable and outstanding. She deserved a grandstanding ovation at the end of each show.

She vowed a graceful exit and turned into a simple stately life in her homestead in the central part of Luzon.

Yet, the menace of returning to the old passion prompted most of her political allies to call for her presence once again. Together, they maintained the political party and became sentinels of the succeeding administration. She supported Ramos, the great political ally of the Marcos turned state witness, for his presidential bid. He was elected and, arguably, followed the “new path to democracy” once written by Madam Cory.

She supported other candidates and backed the abortion of Erap Power in favor of the petite lady of the modern-day Philippines. She supported Madam Gloria; she disowned Gloria. She brought Madam Gloria to Malacanang Palace; she wanted her out of the Palace lately.

For me, Cory died the way she lived: she suffered for her family, for her country; she suffered to die for her family, for her country lately.

Remembering Madam Cory is not without remembering the democracy she delivered right to our doorsteps; remembering the name is not without remembering the icon once associated by the people of the world to democracy.

Peace be with you!