YPS

How does one mark the passing of an icon? Philippine Democracy is richer for the lessons we have learned from Cory Aquino. Some inspiring, some painful, some regretful, some healing, but all necessary. How does one mark the closing of an era? Our country learned that the impossible was possible, people power was power and the street was the parliament. We have painfully realized however that these are not enough. That the workings of democracy need everyday possibilities, everyday power and everyday parliament.

I have my issues with the governance of President Cory Aquino. I cannot say that all the issues I hold dear were adequately addressed by her administration. I can say however that we are richer and more involved in these issues because we learned the intricacies, limitations and opportunities for our issues in a democratic system.

So we pause as we mark the passing of an icon and an era. In a word, we are THANKFUL. As are millions of Filipinos all over the world. We are deeply grateful to a woman who showed us the courage to win back a democracy and the painful realities of keeping it alive.

Last Sunday, August 2, I volunteered an afternoon for the wake of Cory Aquino. Edwin and I were posted at Gate 5 the exit gate as well as the gate where errant VIPs found themselves after not following instructions to go to Gate 6. From 1pm to 7pm we must have said thank you to hundreds of people who had come to pay their respects. Our thank you’s were met by smiles and reciprocated thanks for the opportunity to bid their Tita Cory goodbye. Some share their thoughts in return and I share here a few vignettes of these exchanges…

Two old ladies replied it is they who should be thankful to be able to say their goodbyes to Cory. One pulls me aside and asks me to relay, if possible, a few “pamahiin” reminders to the family who may be too grief-stricken to remember. Filipino beliefs that would ensure the peaceful transition of the departed and the peace of mind of the family left behind. Dutifully I comply via text and they happily say they will sleep well tonight knowing their Tita Cory is taken cared of.

A woman emphatically and sadly says it should be her instead who should go on ahead… Cory, she says, could still do so much for our country. I look for wood to knock on and tell her there is much we can all do for the country. She nods but still teary eyed quietly says “ang bait bait ni Cory, dapat hindi pa sya nawala.”

A very tired-looking family who must have been in line since the break in public viewing for the 12 noon mass trudge past. I say thank you and “pasencya na po sa pila.” The mother smiles and says “wala yun, sulit naman at nakita namin si Cory at nakapagpaalam.” We give chocolates and candy to the kids who of course perk up right away. As they leave the gate, the little boy remarks “Mommy ang dami pa nakapila sa labas?” I think of all the same conversations going on between mothers and children in line about why they are there and who is Cory Aquino.

A man says, as we thank him, that it is “parang tutoong lamay.” “Hindi ka magugutom, may pagkain, haharap sayo ang pamilya at eto pa may tsokolate na pabaon.”

A group in yellow t-shirts enthusiastically say the wake is very organized and say thank you that they are allowed to pay their respects. They will also go to the Manila Cathedral they say.

A woman from Pampanga has already been through the cue once and has paid her respects to Tita Cory. Now, she says, she asked permission from the guard to sit in the side because she hopes to be able to see Kris Aquino. She was a participant in the game show “Deal or No Deal.” She will stay all night she says.

There are countless other vignettes, a whole afternoon of them to be remembered and reflected on. In the end, as we bid a woman of quiet strength goodbye, it is perhaps in these vignettes and in one’s reflections that we say thank you and keep it real. The gratitude is real, for whatever and however we are touched by Cory Aquino. The work she began remains a daunting task and perhaps in her passing she reminds us that we all play a part and only in playing that part sincerely and with integrity do we earn and deserve a peoples gratitude.

Salamat Cory Aquino…