A time to weep, a time to rejoice

“Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there I did not die” 

This time, the whole nation and the world mourn the loss of a great woman who through non-violent means, won for the Filipino people the freedom they had hoped for a long time from an oppressive regime. From the day she passed away on August 1 up to now, we had witnessed nothing but an intense grief and sense of loss from our countrymen here and abroad and countless individuals of different nationalities who admired her courage and leadership. The unbridled outpouring of love and sympathy for her family from individuals of all ages and walks of life shows how well-esteemed and revered this woman is. Indeed, she is a national treasure, used by God to restore democracy at a time when all seemed hopeless and nothing but deceit and injustice prevailed.

This columnist had walked side by side with Cory and the Laban Party: The People’s Coalition, which had become the vehicle that successfully united the Filipino people as one to stand up and fight for truth and to free the nation from a dictatorial leadership. Thus was born the People Power Movement, which became known worldwide as the 1986 People Power Revolution in EDSA, and which later inspired the fall of communism and repressive regimes in other parts of the world, including the great nation of Russia. It could have never happened the way it was written in history without God’s divine intervention and accomplishment. And Cory was the instrument used by God to help a nation in distress, whose people had lost not only freedom but the lives of family, friends and loved ones to the dictates and caprices of a selfish regime. No one but an individual who has the blessing of God could have aroused the consciousness of a people into having one mind and a common purpose to obtain genuine peace, truth and justice. 

And that is why today, Cory, the simple housewife and unassuming woman that she was, still exudes the magic, the drawing power and the charisma, each time igniting in the people the same intense and ardent spirit of oneness. We are awed by all the people who were happy just to catch a glimpse of her tranquil face, drawn by the same spirit of hope that had once united them as one. God had shown and made us feel His mighty Hand, through her; that He will not fail His people if they will only continue to have faith in Him. It is this divine intervention witnessed by peoples across the globe, seen only by those who pray and hope that peace and justice will prevail.

The book of Matthew in Chapter 5 and verses 13 to 16 says, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?”  …“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven”. Ninoy and Cory are so blessed by God that their lives became salt and light, used of God for a noble purpose. Ninoy’s sacrifice and work have been completed by Cory; no other achievement could be nobler. No other marriage union could be more blessed. Their children have a sacred duty to preserve, at all costs, their honor and legacy, and to guard their memory from any semblance of politics and self-interest.  

 Today, our nation stands great and its light of democracy shines for the world and its countries to behold. The nation mourns, but we have reason to rejoice because true democracy is enshrined. She departed, but not so, because we know her spirit will live on. For now, we bid you – Farewell Cory!