Blue, green give way to Cory yellow

MANILA, Philippines – At least for once, it’s not going to be a choice between blue or green. Yellow, the famous Cory Yellow, will be the color of the day when Ateneo and La Salle clash in the UAAP seniors basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

Fans of varsity hoops’ bitter rivals will be wearing yellow instead as tribute to the late President Cory Aquino.

“A suggestion was made, text messages were passed on and it just had a life of its own,” said Bro. Bernie Oca, La Salle’s representative to the league board, yesterday told The STAR.

This marks the first time in the 72-year history of the league that UAAP fans would be wearing the same color of shirts regardless of what school they would root for.

“Yes, we will have to buy a yellow shirt to wear on Sunday,” Ateneo athletic director Ricky Palou said.

Text messages urging students of both schools to wear yellow on Sunday spread like wildfire yesterday as the very woman who turned the color into a symbol of protest and unity when she led a popular, peaceful revolt in 1986, was laid to rest after an eight-hour funeral procession at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat last night.

“Just to show how all of us, not just La Sallians and Ateneans, but all Filipinos are moved and inspired to show our love for President Cory Aquino,” said Oca.

Chuck Buenaventura, La Salle’s other league board member, said he might also wear yellow.

Even in death, the former President can still weave her Cory magic in spreading peace and unity. – Joey Villar