Tie a yellow ribbon

Today is declared as a national holiday. It is the funeral of our former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino. The powerful woman behind the People Power Revolution who paved the way for the country's democracy and ousting the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The country unites in grief with the Aquino family.

In the previous days, everybody was talking about the death of Cory or Tita Cory as what people call her. Everybody seemed to be affected, as if losing their own family member. Some parts of the city made a tribute for her. Some wore yellow shirts, others tied a yellow ribbon in memory of her. She is very loved by the people in her country. How can a woman be not influential when part of her life was fought for the democracy of the country. No one as gentle and softspoken as Cory can be tough for the whole country. She is a symbol of humility and respect.

In her necrological mass, people from politics and religous groups united. She must have this innate ability in her to make war a peaceful one and that is what she fought for during the People's Revolution. She even forgave the Marcos family who killed her husband Benigno Aquino and they visited in Manila Cathedral where her body lied. A heart like Cory cannot be easily forgotten.

I feel that I am also attached to her as my name, 'Corinne' was derived from her. The year I was born was the year after Pres. Cory was put to the seat of presidency. I share my sympathy along with the whole country of her death.

Pres. Cory died peacefully and was very ready leaving her earthly body behind and face her next life. Her death is a reminder to us to fight for what we believe in. Her legacy of democracy which is by the people, for the people, and of the people will be fought for as how it was fought with honesty and purity from the beginning.