The different facets of Cory Aquino
By Monette Torres-Cutler
Cory has had a massive impact on me, on several fronts:
As the grieving widow who was suddenly thrust in the limelight, she moved me with her simplicity, and her faith, and the basic goodness that was oozing out of her pores. She was the epitome of grace under pressure, and I couldn't help but feel for her.
As the presidential candidate, she inspired the entire country with her quiet resolve to triumph over evil. Her statements, though short, were filled with truth and ringing with her convictions. Here was the start of her evolution, from being Ninoy's wife, a great feat already, to being the David leading a charge versus a mighty Goliath. She was courageous!
As the president, I could not help but admire her for her strength. It's not easy to be surrounded by wolves in sheep's clothing, but her integrity was unsullied and unquestioned. She brought decency back into governance. She inspired Filipinos, and the rest of the world. Her unshakeable faith in men was astounding, it's like she had no cynicism! It's as if she was above all the petty stuff going on around her (read: coups and infighting amongst her people). She embodied being noble.
As a private citizen, she simply awed me. Her relentless vigil to ensure the tenets of democracy were above and beyond the call of duty, yet she was forever vigilant against the abuse of power and freedom. Taking to the streets, being the beacon of light against the dark forces that were once again besieging the country, that was pure dedication and love for the Filipinos.
As a mother to her sane children (read: Ballsy, Noynoy, Pinky and Viel), she was the tops. Those children were low-profile, low-maintenance children, never taking their share of the limelight. They were sensible, and it takes a lot of maternal disciplining to pull it off when your husband is one of the key political figures in the country.
As a mother to Kris, who was more a Marcos than an Aquino when it came to publicity and attention seeking, I was simply rendered speechless. To be supportive of a child who aired her very dirty laundry in public, that takes gumption! And loads of patience! And tons of love! And the patience of a saint. But all throughout the foibles of Kris, you just knew that Cory would be there for her child. Endurance, reliability, unending love! WOW, Cory was a saint!
Ninoy, then Cory, made me proud to be FILIPINO! Though I didn't grieve Ninoy's assassination that much, because I was still young (in a sense, Ninoy belonged to my parents and their generation), Cory's death hit me hard, and deep. Watching the tributes, the mass, the outpouring of love and support, I feel the awakening of a deep unrest in me. The Filipinos are waking up again, and beware the wolves in power, because Cory's death might be the catalyst that will upset the horse and its cart that is lodged in the palace now.
LONG LIVE CORY! YOU WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED AS "THE" ICON FOR DEMOCRACY!
Monette Cutler-Torres is an Aguman alumna from batch Akbe 1988 and is based in Davao City. Ate Monette shared such a comprehensive post so we published it separately. This is still part of the Aslag Online tribute to the beloved former Philippine President, Cory Aquino.
Cory has had a massive impact on me, on several fronts:
As the grieving widow who was suddenly thrust in the limelight, she moved me with her simplicity, and her faith, and the basic goodness that was oozing out of her pores. She was the epitome of grace under pressure, and I couldn't help but feel for her.
As the presidential candidate, she inspired the entire country with her quiet resolve to triumph over evil. Her statements, though short, were filled with truth and ringing with her convictions. Here was the start of her evolution, from being Ninoy's wife, a great feat already, to being the David leading a charge versus a mighty Goliath. She was courageous!
As the president, I could not help but admire her for her strength. It's not easy to be surrounded by wolves in sheep's clothing, but her integrity was unsullied and unquestioned. She brought decency back into governance. She inspired Filipinos, and the rest of the world. Her unshakeable faith in men was astounding, it's like she had no cynicism! It's as if she was above all the petty stuff going on around her (read: coups and infighting amongst her people). She embodied being noble.
As a private citizen, she simply awed me. Her relentless vigil to ensure the tenets of democracy were above and beyond the call of duty, yet she was forever vigilant against the abuse of power and freedom. Taking to the streets, being the beacon of light against the dark forces that were once again besieging the country, that was pure dedication and love for the Filipinos.
As a mother to her sane children (read: Ballsy, Noynoy, Pinky and Viel), she was the tops. Those children were low-profile, low-maintenance children, never taking their share of the limelight. They were sensible, and it takes a lot of maternal disciplining to pull it off when your husband is one of the key political figures in the country.
As a mother to Kris, who was more a Marcos than an Aquino when it came to publicity and attention seeking, I was simply rendered speechless. To be supportive of a child who aired her very dirty laundry in public, that takes gumption! And loads of patience! And tons of love! And the patience of a saint. But all throughout the foibles of Kris, you just knew that Cory would be there for her child. Endurance, reliability, unending love! WOW, Cory was a saint!
Ninoy, then Cory, made me proud to be FILIPINO! Though I didn't grieve Ninoy's assassination that much, because I was still young (in a sense, Ninoy belonged to my parents and their generation), Cory's death hit me hard, and deep. Watching the tributes, the mass, the outpouring of love and support, I feel the awakening of a deep unrest in me. The Filipinos are waking up again, and beware the wolves in power, because Cory's death might be the catalyst that will upset the horse and its cart that is lodged in the palace now.
LONG LIVE CORY! YOU WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED AS "THE" ICON FOR DEMOCRACY!
Monette Cutler-Torres is an Aguman alumna from batch Akbe 1988 and is based in Davao City. Ate Monette shared such a comprehensive post so we published it separately. This is still part of the Aslag Online tribute to the beloved former Philippine President, Cory Aquino.
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