Cory Aquino the President Adored in Yellow

Corazon Aquino the lady in yellow is remarkable was once a housewife and trust to become the first woman President of the Philippines in February 1986 thru peaceful people power revolution. She is famously known Tita Cory among us. Right after assuming office the first order of business is the task of regaining the freedom that was lost as consequences of martial law proclamation by the late President Ferdinand Marcos. Restoring civil liberties, economy recovery, and the people’s trust in the government was fast tracked in Aquino’s administration. Her administration survived several coup attempts instigated by the right-wing soldiers nevertheless she stand firm defending the newly 1987 constitution and democracy.

In her post presidency this president has never waver her call to respect the people’s voice when ever there is talk of amending the constitution to extend the term limits of the sitting president, senators, and congressmen. She has long argued that extending the term limits would lead to another authoritarian rule or Marcos era. In 1992 she openly supported the presidential campaign of former President Fidel Ramos. In 1998 she supported the campaign of former senator Alfredo Lim who lost the presidency to former President Joseph Estrada. Estrada’s weak governance marred by incompetency, favoritism, corruptions, mismanagement, scandals, and false promises to the masses lead to his ouster to which former President Aquino openly join the call in the second wave of people power revolution and installed Vice-President Gloria Arroyo to the presidency. In 2004 presidential election she did not endorsed any candidates but a year later after President Arroyo was elected, she openly calls for Arroyo’s resignation for allegedly defrauding the election. Aquino remains vigilant in thwarting attempts by Arroyo’s administration and allies on the Senate and House of Representatives. In 2007 she actively campaigned for her son’s Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III successful senate seat. Kris Aquino her younger daughter revealed that the former president’s security escorts provided by the government was recalled in Cory’s dying moments and was reduced and made to justify the need for security since asking President Arroyo to resign. When does it become that a former president is made to justify for a security escorts? Is it not provided on the law that former presidents are entitled security escorts? Tita Cory does not ask for tens of security, those security arrangements are what is due for her as a former president.

I was teary eyed and sad to learn on the news that this beloved president of a grateful nation who suffered from a colon cancer and eventually died on August 1, 2009 due to cardio respiratory arrest. This beloved president was unknown to me 26 years ago until the news spread that her husband Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was assassinated upon returning home in exile. He was a youngest elected mayor who quickly rose to become a governor and senator. Ninoy Aquino whose prominence of being articulate, charismatic, energetic, brave, and sincere politician earned him the distinction of being the boy wonder of Philippine politics, considered by many. There was a news blackout all television and radio station except the Radio Veritas which run by Catholic Church are controlled by the government of former President Marcos. But despite of the fact of it’s one-sided bias news coverage in favor of the government of former President Marcos some newsprints and home video manage to cover the fateful event. From there on I actively join the peaceful walk for the assassinated Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino seeking justice and proudly wear the yellow T-shirt that prints his face and at the back reads as “Who Killed My Hero”. Soon found myself doing volunteered works as silent courier delivering literature material house to house campaigning for her endorsed candidates to the defunct Batansang Pambansa (National Assembly) with the help of my cousin Darwin Tolentino that we both ride on my self-assembled BMX pedaled bike. My first rally that I joined and could never forget was on the Luneta Grandstand a year after the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. There was a multitude of yellow wearing clothes people in millions that I have never seen before, there is the never end chants of Cory is heard out aloud. Soon the yellow becomes a rallying point for Cory Aquino.

History contends that the former President Marcos downfall is a consequence of Ninoy’s martyrdom. I partly believed that former President Marcos had no hand in the murder of Ninoy Aquino but he was involved in a cover-up. The mastermind of the murder of Ninoy Aquino has never been put in justice. The acquittals of the late General Fabian Ver, Marcos most trusted generals and other higher ranking officials that are implicated in the conspiracy were widely seen as miscarriage of justice in Marcos controlled government bodies. There is also widely speculations Marcos due to this deteriorating health will turn over power to Ninoy Aquino to unite the country but close aides and cronies of the late former President Marcos opposed the idea. Marcos administration rely heavily on foreign aids to get it’s administration float mostly provided U.S. aids as a result of his close personal ally with the late U.S. former President Ronald Reagan. With a growing discontent domestically and pressure from the foreign allies such as the U.S. he called a snap election. Cory Aquino was trusted to be the forefront of united opposition reluctantly accepted this highest honor but acceded to the mounting pressure from the public support and humbly taken the lead to become the presidential candidate. She choose to accept Salvador Laurel her Vice President candidate to unite the opposition despite that fact that Laurel was keen on eyeing the presidency alone. The 1986 presidential snap election was what the nation was hope for a change but fell short when all election results was manipulated and controlled by Marcos to declare he is the winner and has the mandate of the people. This capitalized the outrage of the Filipino people as a result of vote rigging done by Marcos. His Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile could have a fallen out with him as a warrant of arrest for graft and corruption is about to be served that leads Enrile to defect along with former President Fidel Ramos who was the then a general and chief of the defunct Philippine Constabulary the national police force which is now known as the Philippine National Police. Soon there gathered multitude of people in millions that line up the along the stretch of EDSA. In Enrile’s press conference if I correctly remember he told that the Marcos has rigged the election and other person had won the election. Thus it was Cory Aquino who had really won the election and for the first time in the world history the military is protected by the people. Marcos was exiled to Guam USA and Cory Aquino becomes the president. The EDSA event was closely followed throughout the world and may have inspired other countries like the Berlin wall and Boris Yeltsin of Russia crushing the communist hardliners.

Her legacy puts her in international arena as an acclaim of icon of democracy. She was selected as Times magazine’s Woman of the Year in 1986. In September 1986 President Aquino delivered a speech before the joint session of the United States Congress in her foreign trip which was interrupted by several applause and standing ovation. In the televised speech to U.S. Congress which was broadcast back home to the Philippines I never forgot the ending sentence were “Join us Americans as we build our new home for democracy”. The U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neil and Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole at that time were all praises for her. At the near end of Cory Aquino’s presidency she was urged to run again by her allies though the 1987 constitution does not prevent her she humbly turned down the idea and wants to return to private life. She is happily turned over the presidency to her successor.

Tita Cory was laid to rest beside her husband Ninoy Aquino’s grave, both of relatively modest grave, no grander than other wealthly and famous people. At the end of cortege, she was given a full military honors, a two-star general acting as host and 8 one-star as pallbearers carried her flag-draped coffin. This remarkable president of the people does not wear jewelries in her lifetime, known to her family as simple mother despite raising from a wealthy known family. When Tita Cory learned of her colon cancer she refused treatments abroad instead preferred local physicians to treat her, a testament to trusting her countrymen. Her family turned down the offer of President Arroyo’s administrations for a state funeral and they turns out right the honor will come from the people and not from the Arroyo administration. There was a long line of queue of people in all walks of life, paying their final respect for the former President Aquino. Her cortege from Manila Cathedral to the Manila Memorial Park her resting place lasted for about 8 hours with hundreds of thousand mourners line up the street to where her burial convoy pass by. The route mostly covered with yellow where people expressed their last act of gratitude for the democracy she left behind, that all of us can live without fear of reprisal from government.

There are leader that command obedience but not respect. Tita Cory has not just govern she leads, and is the only truly a leader that commands both repect and love. Even in death she still continues to lead.

Farewell my President Tita Cory and I salute you whose absolute sincerity will be forever your legacy and will never be forgotten. Thank you my President Tita Cory and this nation is most truly grateful to have you. Ninoy has sacrificed his life for the love of this country and you sacrificed more to protect it. God has more calling for you in heaven and may you find eternal happiness with Ninoy in heaven.

The Kids in the 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980

When we are Babies There are some of us who are born in the year 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980. Our baby cribs were made of hard wood and might be covered with lead based paints. And too the walker some of them do not really have wheels which are made of rattan woods that are sold from the moving caravan that is pulled by a cow.

Diapers are made out of real cotton cloths; there are no yet available disposable diapers. There are no yet soft cribs that play music only real songs from our parents, older brothers, older sisters, aunties, uncles, grand parents, and who wants us to fall asleep.


When we are toddlers

When we are introduced to the outside world (in the streets), the bikes for those who have a means to get on, helmets and kneepads are not yet available in those times, most of the bikes does not have brakes and you have to depend on your foot as your primary brakes this is also the reason why most slippers of kids does not last.

Our first bus ride does not have air-conditioned then and seats are made out of hard wood even the windows are not made of glass, when it rains you have to pull up the wooden window so as not to get wet and water does not get inside the bus. When all wooden windows are up it is dark and only the driver seat gets the day light. Worse is becomes hotter inside as there is only little fresh air coming inside.

When we gets our first schooling

In school we drank water straight from the water faucet and/or from the garden host. There is no bottled water yet what is available is water that was filled on an ice plastic bag that cost 0.25 cents at that time. The camaraderie begins when we share a bottle of soft drinks or refreshments with our friends, no one actual get sick or even contacted various diseases about this.

Kid’s talk of the town is not based on gossips but then talks about comic books. If I am correct the only available local kids comics is the Funny comics and I can still recall how I am very pleased with the stories of it's funny character Niknok Anok centered on the character's appetite for fried chicken. In television the weekend prime time series which is aired every Saturday, Kulit Bulilit is a hit. The show centered most of stories around local legends among these that I can still remember are The Legends of Coconut Tree, Why Sea Water are made of Salts, Legends of First Local Man and a Woman (local version of Adam and Eve), and The Legends of Pineapple. Cartoons classic such as Voltes V, Mazinger Z, Daimos, were a hit too but sad to say that these were ordered by former President Ferdinand Marcos off the air as he was ill-advised that these cartoons are deterrent to the students study habits. In reality these cartoons have somehow help build our English language skills.

On health facts

Locally made commercials that made some brands popular such as star margarine that can be mixed with rice to help you grow taller is more a gimmick than truth but still it provides some nutrition to help you stay healthy and strong. Sarsi a locally made soft drinks can be stirred up with raw eggs gives you better calcium that your bones needed, fact is there is real sugar no diet soft drinks are yet available in those times. The bottom line is we did not get sick or overweight because of those nutrition’s.

Kids playing outside always

Playing outside on the streets in the morning till all day when there is no schools, and back to home when street lights are turned on. Kids shout while playing but these are all ok with neighbors as long as they knew kids are having fun. Our favorites games are Patintero which is a line draw to defend incoming intruders, Tumbang Preso a combination of slippers and can that you have to attempt to knocked down a can with your slipper, Hide en Seek you know this game, and Agawan Base this is game that who ever first touched your base just like the baseball gets win. Our parents does not worried much they can see us through the windows, in those times there are no beepers and cell phone that they can reach us, still they know where to find us.


Our toys are made of various inventions

I have seen kids build their own wooden trolleys - a homemade skateboards that are made of woods and spare parts that are no longer in use. These kids labored all day finding piece of used plywood slides out of scraps and bearing spare parts to put them all together. These wooden trolleys are most used on an incline street the higher the better speed you can get. It has a single steering wheel but not equipped with brakes. Not a single kid in our neighbor that I know had a bad accident experience from this toy. They learned how to maneuver and solve the problem themselves after hitting the sidewalk or falling into a canal - sewage channel on the side of the canal. Amazing what these kids can build and the ideas that can spur great problem solving techniques.

The kites made out of pieces of stick brooms or barbeque sticks and cut-outs from newspapers or old PLDT telephone directories.


On gadgets

Nintendo’s Game Boy, Sony PlayStations, Microsoft X-boxes, those technology gadget does not yet exist in those times, even Cable Television channels, DVD players, CD players, Karaoke’s, Stereo Players, iPods, Cell phones, Computers, Internet, you name it does not exists. There are no online chat rooms and no online social networking such as Friendsters, Multiply, and Facebook. What we have are real friends to talk live and interact with.


On injuries

Sometimes we got injured from playing on the streets got cut or minor bruise while falling down when running or riding a bike, worst is broke bones and teeth’s. Medication is very painful when red mertiolet is applied to the wounds instead of getting comforting words from the elders what we got is also painful advise from them. But the end we learned how to tolerate, endure, and live in those experiences.

On playgrounds

The city government has no interest in building public playgrounds. For this matter only once in your lifetime that you can go to paid playgrounds such as the Manila Parks and Wildlife. Your house front mini yard with a space size of 6 feet by 5 feet is turned into a play yard where you play marbles in the soil that helps exercise your mind concentration.

On the street or if sidewalks are available you can play syatong - games made with stick, and tumbang preso - games using cans and slippers. Yet these are very dangerous you can get hurt or worse make you lose your sight. Nevertheless not a single people that I know suffered severe painfully experience from these games. These games are actually will simulate and exercise you physically and your thinking prowess.


On emotions

Depressions and emotions are not common in those days. I can give an example in school alone when sporting events are held annually during tryouts for basketball not everyone who wants to play made the team. Those who did not make it had learned to deal with the disappointment and themselves alone carries it in their secret. As saying goes by "those who are pique are always losers" and nobody wants to show being a loser they keep it themselves.


All of these symbolizes that our generations has produces some of the best problem solvers and creative minds. These people become successful professionals it does not matter what level of position we occupied.

Failures and success, we learned and earned the hard way.

On Congressman Jose de Venecia's Global Filipino Book Launch

On December 23 2008, I was at The Podium Mall in Ortigas district of Mandaluyong City to have lunch with close friends. The same day coincided with the Book launching of Jose de Venecia on the second floor of the Mall, title Global Filipino: The Authorized Biography of Jose de Venecia Jr. I obliged to see the event to hear Congressman de Venecia talk about politics and was expecting him to tell-all what he know about the alleged corrupt practices of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a former staunch ally, which did not happen. Unknown to me (i'm in the left picture in yellow polo and navy blue slack) it was attended by former Presidents and other politicians that have been critical of the administration of President Gloria Macapal-Arroyo. In the book launch event Congressman De Venecia a former five-time House Speaker discusses about the economic condition of the Republic in his first opening statements. He address various conditions that the Republic is facing and experiencing as well as comparing the economic conditions of other Asian countries which the Philippines is lagging behind.

By the way who is Jose de Venecia? He is a career politician, congressman representing the 4th District of Pangasinan. Was Speaker of the House of Representatives on the Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth and Thirteenth Congresses of the Philippines, and briefly on a short term on the Fourteenth Congress until February 5, 2008, 174 representatives, or a considerable majority of members of the House, voted to remove Jose de Venecia as Speaker. He was succeeded by Prospero Nograles who replaced the prior at height of NBN anomaly (National Broadband Network) on alleged involvement of the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Husband and inner circles. Congressman Jose de Venecia is a strong ally of former President Fidel Ramos and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Now on the opposition side, to tell-all in his book the alleged corruption practice of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was the former president of the country's dominant party LAKAS-CMD whom he founded along with former President Fidel Ramos that help Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo propel to presidency.

The book is a biography of Congress Jose de Venecia and alleges the corruption in the Arroyo administration, written by Brett Decker. I have seen the cover of the book and but not much in details.

Seated in the front row right side wing was former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Joseph Estrada, Congressman Jose de Venecia, Congressman Zamora a staunch-ally of Estrada, while visibly at the left is former vice president Teofisto Guingona. While taking photograph of the event, I did not realize that former President Aquino was seated on the front row and was not noticeable because she was dressed in red, instead of the usual yellow the she used to be in most of her public appearance. She appears vibrant despite of reports that she is battling cancer. Former President Aquino gave a brief talk not much about the book launch, but mainly on a degree to which she publicly make apologize statements to
former President Estrada, for supporting to removed him nearly eight years ago on popular uprising EDSA 2. She also congratulated Congressman Jose de Venecia for coming out in the open to finally to denounce the allegedly rampant graft in the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She left early after she gave her talk and was escorted
by former President Estrada himself to her vehicle.

Sufficient to say former President Aquino has a long standing reputation for fighting against corruption. Indeed former President Aquino's public apology is the highlights of Congressman Jose de Venecia book launch. As news reports came out the following day former President Estrada is said to have told the press that he had accepted former President Aquino's apology and forgives not only her but Congressman Jose de Venecia who help remove him from his presidency in January 20, 2001, over alleged corruption in his administration. If the turn of events had been that there is no allegation of grand corruption and there is good governance in the administration of President Arroyo, former President Aquino for sure would not make any apology statement to former President Estrada whose own administration is ridden with scandals, anomaly, corruption, and inept governance. Former President Aquino should have not put her integrity at stake at all. In her talk looking direct to former President Estrada, “Lahat tayo nagkakamali, patawarin mo na lang ako [We all make mistakes, forgive me],” she said. True enough we all had our moment of mistakes but because the corruption in the administration of former President Estrada is not grand as opposed to the administration of President Arroyo, she has to switch side or flip-flop, she should just remain independent believing that both side, the current opposition associated with former President Estrada and administration of President Arroyo does not merit to have the integrity of good governance. On each of her sentence she drew applause from the audiences. It is interesting to note that former President Estrada had not lost his comedian trademark appeal such that on his talk he draw not applause but elicit laughter from the audiences. Some quotes or talk from former President Estrada are as follow and may not be the exact word:

We both stood up and fought for our convictions. Going through his book, I could
see that JDV is a man of conviction, just like me. The only difference is that I
am a certified man of conviction because I was convicted.

So my advice to Speaker De Venecia today is that if you want to be a certified man of
conviction, wait for your turn.

But I suspect, it is not only I who may have had a headache reading JDV's biography. I suspect Malacañang had a bigger headache.

After former Presidents Aquino and Estrada had left the event, former President Fidel Ramos arrived, was introduced and gave his candid talk more about the Congressman Jose de Venecia, and if I am not mistaken it was not a political talk as what Aquino and Estrada gave. I stood there watching and taking photograph close upfront of former President Ramos as he gave a brief talk, in my observation he appears to have an appeal that befitting a commander-in-chief. Former President Ramos has a high regard to Congressman Jose De Venecia, the two work hard to found LAKAS-CMD party which they are now both bestowed the honorary title of chair emeritus.