The world recedes; it disappears;
Heav’n opens on my eyes; my ears
With sounds seraphic ring:
Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly!
O Grave! where is thy Victory?
O Death! where is thy Sting?
-Alexander Pope
Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino
11th President of the Republic of the Philippines
Pious Leader, Restorer of Democracy, Mother and Tita
(January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009)
Today, August 1, 2009, the Philippine beacon of democracy passed away. In 1986, this beacon has united the Filipino people in the unprecedented display of peaceful revolution.
In her last days, she has once again united the nation in prayer – thousands of candles burned, hundreds of Healing Masses and millions of prayers knocked on heaven’s doors.
In the announcement of her passing, her consistent message was echoed by her son: “Pray for one another.”
With all these, the skeptic may ask, “Why was she still taken?”
The answer lies in the yellow ribbons tied in the electric posts, trees and buildings of Metro Manila; in the outpouring of people who flocked to the hospital where she was confined; in the stuffed toys from children, flowers and candles offered outside her home in Times Street in Quezon City; in the long line of people, young and old, to see her one last time in La Salle Greenhills in San Juan City.
People continued to flock to see her – even in the heavy rains which seem to be heaven’s sign of mourning. Young ones who were not even born in the time of the EDSA revolution flashed the “LABAN” sign before her. Men did not withhold their emotions. And tears flowed, and continues to flow…
Why was she taken still?
For us to remember what true democracy is all about…
For us to always evoke the power of prayer…
For us to continue to ask ourselves the question that she has imbibed: “What can I do for my country?”
Today is a sad day in history but a glorious day in heaven. God’s faithful daughter has returned. I believe in my heart God’s welcoming message will be: “Well done My child, for a life well lived!”
Rest In Peace.
Raven
http://cherokeebydesign.wordpress.com/
Thank you Raven…
Amen! It was indeed a life well lived.
Amen indeed!
So much to remember in her, so much to hunger for more – in the name of the Source and democracy…Very nice tribute kapatid…
My birthday has become part of history (the time she was fighting for her life, I was partying with my friends..) .. it’s not a sad event though, because she passed away in a beautiful way.
I know she will always remain alive in our hearts.
to think it was only a week ago i learned of her struggle with cancer, and then, yesterday, the breaking news. just as how she brought as hope to restore democracy in our country which i hoped will continue to stay forever, she also brought hope of a peaceful life and surrender to our dear Lord with her passing away. May her soul rest in peace and God bless her soul and her family.
O Grave! where is thy Victory?
O Death! where is thy Sting?
I have been reading this almost thrice every year although I really did not know who wrote this.
—
I have been reading many tributes about ‘her,’ this is the best so far.
Ax – it’s found in 1 Corinthians 15:55: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (KJV)
Thank you Madame Tita Cory….
absolutely a life well-lived. she is one of the most loved presidents…
Thank you Cory you are one of the world’s greatest
I thought of you, when I heard the news.This is a heartfelt tribute to her.
Balisha
we lost a precious treasure but she didn’t leave… she stays in our hearts and will forever be in our memory.
alam kong nagawa na ni Cory ang misyon nya sa mundo at misyon n’ya sa mga pilipino, hayaan na natin s’yang lumisan at makasama ang kanyang kabiyak.
pero wag nating hayaang mawala s’ya sa puso ng mga pilipino.
alam kong sa pagdating ng araw,patuloy pa rin s’yang ipapakilala sa mga sanggol na isisilang pa. Isang babaeng dahilan kung bakit nadarama nila ang demokrasya sa bayan
paalam tita Cory
P.S. Parekoy, magkikita na si Cory at Frank lols .
Hehe… Oo nga Otep… Posibleng magkita na sila…
Sad talaga.
kung sino pa ang dapat nabubuhay ngayon….
tsk..
farewll tita cory!!
(hikbi)
Salamat President Cory sa kalayaang tinatamasa namin ngayon na sinimulan ng iyong asawa at iyo namang tinapos…
Baunin mo ang aming pag mamahal.
I can still remember decades ago, when I was in prep. Our teacher took us out to the sidewalk so we can make Cory’s hand sign as support to the motorcade of her cause, the fight against dictatorship…that was just before the EDSA revolution, I think. At that time, I didn’t understand what was going on, etc., but I’m glad to have that memory of showing support to democracy.
I love you auntie cory…
We gonna miss you tita cory……….
really disturbing..paano na kaya ang Pinas ngayong wala ng isang Cory Aquino noh? nabawasan na naman tayo ng isang mabuting mamamayan..
newey, let’ be thankful na lang na minsan eh naging parte at nagsilibing ilaw siya sa ating kasaysayan..
Paalam po tita cory..
have a safe trip tita cory.
you’ll surely be missed. :c
Will be praying for you President Cory Aquino.
Thank you Mr. Coolwater for sharing this to us.
There’s something comforting, endearing and enigmatic about this woman. Amidst the clamor for power, she remained quiet–always in the background and resolved to protect the democracy that she and her husband had so valiantly fought for. I thank her for making it possible for Filipinos to walk tall and proud even in the midst of hopelessness.
Tita Cory’s death was Filipinos’ moment of love… moment of hope… moment of faith…
limang araw ng pagluluksa at pagdadalamhati… limang araw din na nasinagan ng bawat Filipino ang minimithing pagkakaisa ng bansa. kaya pala natin ang magkaisa. sa totoo lang nagawa na natin yun. nakalimutan lang.