Thank You, Tita Cory

I share with the grief of knowing that our beacon of hope for the restoration of freedom and democracy during the dark days of the Marcos era, Tita Cory Aquino, is fighting her last battle. Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino (January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009) was a President of the Philippines and a world-renowned advocate of democracy, peace, women's empowerment, and religious piety. She served as the 11th president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. She was the first female president of the Philippines and was Asia's first female president. Tita Cory died of cardiopulmonary arrest after complications of colon cancer at the age of 76 on August 1, 2009, 3:18 a.m., at the Makati Medical Center. Tita Cory was the most-loved, most-prayed for, most-revered and most-idolized President ever. She had served our beloved Motherland with utmost truthfulness, humility and selflessness. Her genuine concern for us all was clearly and consistently manifested in word and in deed even up to her dying moments and thereafter. That Tita Cory, an icon of democracy, had left us on the same month of her husband’s martyrdom carries enormous significance! To both Ninoy and Tita Tita Cory we owe the air of freedom we breathe and the democracy we now enjoy! It was a husband-and-wife tandem unparalleled and unmatched in our history! Both devoted their lives for the welfare of our beloved land with all their hearts and might. Ninoy and Cory came into our lives at the most opportune time — at the crossroads of our country’s history. Both had the moral courage and indomitable spirit to reunite us and rescue us from the bondage of the dictator then, and now from the forces that continue to threaten our freedom and democracy.
As we express our superb admiration and bow our heads in respect, prayers and gratitude, may Tita Cory’s eternal love and sense of patriotism rub off on all of us — particularly on our leaders and officials, that they may discharge their duties and responsibilities to our country and people, whom they had sworn to serve … truthfully, selflessly, responsibly. Then and only then can we all claim that Ninoy and Cory’s deaths are not in vain. That truly, the Filipino is worth living and dying for! Tita Cory, maraming salamat sa ipinakita mong kagandahang kalooban sa aming mga Pilipinong nagmamahal sa ating Bayan…mabuhay po kayo!