We are not related, we are not close. But I call her "Tita Cory". And she also allows the rest of the world to call her such.
I was 19 months when the EDSA revolution took place in 1986. I was too young to recall any memories. I appreciate the freedom of speech in this country. But I cannot compare the difference between living during and after Martial Law. I can only rely on the stories of those who lived and appreciated the EDSA 1986. I remember Cory in the history textbooks. I remember that she revised the law where the default is a marriage of absolute instead of conjugal property. That's it.
I did not know she was a housewife before she became president. I did not know she majored in French. I did not know she has five kids. I did not know she was featured in TIME three times. I did not know that the 1986 EDSA Revolution inspired countries like China, Germany and East Timor. And I did not know that she helped and touched a lot of people. That much. A LOT. That crowd in her funeral speaks for itself.
Cory also speaks good English. Classy English. Unlike all the other presidents.
Some random thoughts on the Cory events:
-I got goosebumps watching that Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo. I got tears watching APO singing the Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo during the final service.
- Bong Bong Marcos looks like his dad. Should he run for president, people will remember his dad.
- Imee Marcos looks like she feels she can be shot anytime when she was at Manila Cathedral.
- Manila Cathedral is a very pretty church. Parang nasa ibang bansa yung ibang shots.
- Marcos children paying their respect to Cory was chilling, in a good way.
- I never saw James give Kris a hug or comforting pat during the entire time.
- That ABS-CBS thanks Cory commercial was overcooked. Bad acting involved.
- Semi-stalked the profiles of the Cory Apos in Facebook and Friendster (Yes, I opened my Friendster account)
- Kaloka: Ted Failon asked Jiggy Cruz: Napakilala mo ba sa Lola mo girlfriend mo? Answer: Yes po, yung una kong girlfriend
- Kaloka ulet:
- Watch those YouTube videos on 1986 EDSA. Feel the passion. Appreciate the freedom. And laugh at the hairstyles.
- The Kris Aquino interviews made me cry. Really. And I wasn't expecting to shed tears.
- Lea Salonga singing Bayan Ko was eerie, in a good way.
GMA cut short her USA trip and hopped into a plane to go back in time for Cory's funeral. She spent 10 minutes in Manila Cathedral. She went out of her way to go somewhere where clearly, she was not welcome. And she can't even brag her accomplishments in USA.
The internet world is also grieving: Find the yellow ribbons.
With too much ugly politics in our country, it is good to be reminded that there were people who believed in our country. I hope something good and progressive comes out of this. I never thought that our country could grieve so much for a president.
Thanks to Tita Cory, we can blog freely.
I never felt more prouder being a Filipino.
