It must have been hard for Cory to see her husband in jail. It must have been harder to see your husband dead on the tarmac. It must be hard as well to accept the fact that your husband chose to die for his country’s freedom instead of choosing to grow old with you. But Cory Aquino knew so well, she even accepted presidency at a time of hopelessness.
Cory restored hope, sparked courage, and led the country out of the martial rule pit. Most of all, she returned democracy, a gift we have been enjoying until today.
I may not have witnessed martial law but I grew up going to EDSA, my mom tagging me along to see tanks and yellow confetti during EDSA revolution anniversaries. I read anecdotes and news stories about martial law, which later became my favorite topic. I knew I wanted to witness people coming together for one cause. I knew I wanted to see, hear, and relate stories of freedom and triumph. That’s why I wanted to become a journalist.
When I became one, I was lucky to have asked Cory a few questions in ambush interviews. In one coverage, she did not answer questions but when I asked, she turned and looked at me and gave me a one-liner. I was in awe I forgot to ask a follow up. That was in 2006.
The last time I saw her was January this year, during the funeral of former president Joseph Estrada’s mother, Dona Mary. She no longer granted an interview. She was already very delicate.
Had she opted to be an ordinary widow and refused calls for her to run for president, our history would have been so different. I might not be even enjoying the press freedom I experience now.
Cory is now with Ninoy and I bet, she’s happy. She will forever be radiant in that yellow dress and I will always be thankful she took time answering a question from a then cub reporter.
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