by Chit Estela
VERA Files
People unaccustomed to hearing the former president laugh would quickly turn around to look for the source of the guffaw and be surprised at the woman who was known to be demure and self-effacing. But she was given to hearty laughter, especially when faced with the ridiculous or simply anything hilarious. On one of those occasions, she was sorely misunderstood.
I was one of the reporters covering Malacanang in the last half of Mrs. Aquino’s six-year term as president. I was working for the daily newspaper Malaya. It was a time when the Philippines became, for some reason, a frequent disaster zone. One calamity kept happening after another–typhoons kept hitting the country and a volcano that lay dormant for 600 years suddenly erupted and put a large area of Luzon under cover of darkness and a thick layer of lahar. Countries and international organizations that rushed eagerly to help the country at the beginning of Mrs. Aquino’s presidency began complaining and said they were suffering from what their representatives called “donor fatigue.”
One day, while waiting at the gazebo for Cabinet officials to come out of the Guest House which served as the President’s office, the ground literally started shaking beneath our feet. Water from the Pasig River began splashing onto the Palace grounds. To keep from falling down, reporters had to hold on to one another for support. Then came the frightening realization: Earthquake!
Click here (VERA Files) for the rest of the article.
Cory was a very decent, calm and respected woman. You never saw her get mad or even behaved improperly in private or in public. She might have her limitations and weaknesses as President due to her lack of political and economic experience (a degree in French), but corruption was at its lowest period during her term even if this was not so for her brother Peping. Almost all sectors have extended their condolences including the Marcos family but not much is heard from the militant groups and the Left. The reason is understandable because of that tragic Mendiola massacre and the Hacienda Luisita murders. The Aquinos and the Conjuangcos are accountable to the victims; but we cannot avoid acknowledging Cory’s own contribution to the country. She stepped down without thinking of holding on to power. The Evil Bitch is reported to be cutting her trip in the US to rush back home to attend Cory’s burial. But who needs the Evil Bitch? Her presence would only bring anger and division to the people. We ask her to stay longer in the US or better still, never to return home.
Some are contemplating on making Cory a Saint. That’s too much. It’s already enough making Ninoy a hero and naming the airport in his name. Why make Cory a saint?
ABS-CBN is the leading media network given the task to cover the entire Cory’s wake and burial. Other media groups have to be accredited. Why is this so? Because the Lopezes owe their return to Cory. As soon as Cory assumed the Presidency, Meralco and ABS-CBN were immediately given back to the Lopezes. It was also ABS-CBN and Cory who supported the ouster of Erap. Today, things are a lot different. Cory reconciled with Erap and the two had been friends until the end. The Lopezes are now in good terms with Erap as proven by the network’s support of Erap and attacks on this Arroyo Administration. Likewise, the Star Cinema owned by ABS-CBN is making a film for Erap and comediane Ai-Ai de las Alas.
In her death, Cory will live in our hearts now.
Nakakalungkot na pumanaw na si Tita Cory. Pero tama lang na mamahinga na Sya. Sobra na ang kanyang ginawa para sa bayan. Tama na syang magpahinga at makapiling Si Ninoy sa piling ng ating TagapagLikha.
I met Tita Cory personally when she went to Jolo to met Misuari in 1987. She really is the kind of leader we need and now she gone…but Tita Cory will always be in my heart and the hearts of Filipinos who believed in her and her advocacy…I Love you Tita Cory…!
I could just imagine the pain she underwent during the last few days. Masakit ang cancer. Mahirap ang colon cancer. Bihira ang gumagaling sa colon cancer lalo pa’t Stage Four na.
When can we find a cure to this cancer that causes the death of thousands of people a day? Pero kapag may makitang gamot na ay may bago naman ibang klaseng sakit na lilitaw. It only shows how fragile life is. May it remind us of our loved ones. When was the last time you said “I Love You” to your spouse, parents, children?
Sabi ni Noynoy wala daw siyang ganang makita si GMA kung dumalaw siya. Sa ganitong mga salita, kapalan na kung tumuloy pa si Gloria. But knowing her, of course she will.
I was watching on Ch 23 the replay of ABS-CBN’s tribute to President Cory. Maganda. I was touched with the recollection of Jun Lozada. I like his challenge that the least we can do to repay for the sarifices of Cory is “isadiwa natin ang buhay niya.”
Then biglang tinawag si Cecile Guidote Alvarez. She was talking about democracy. Can’t take it .I turned off the TV.
Now, I turned it on again. it’s Frank Drilon speaking.
Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy:
“To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.” (Holy Qur’an 2:156)
The Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy joins the entire nation in mourning the passing of former President Corazon C. Aquino.
President Aquino has been a symbol of moral courage and leadership to the Filipino people since she led the nation in its struggle against the dictatorship up to the time when she guided the nation in the restoration of its democratic institutions.
For the Bangsamoro, we remember her attempts to reach out to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1986, initiating peace talks with the intention of establishing an auotonomous region for the Moros. Her government, even when the talks failed, sought the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by enshrining it in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. On August 1, 1989, exactly 20 years from today, Republic Act No. 6734, otherwise known as the Organic Act of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, was signed into law by President Aquino.
And while the dream for autonomy remains elusive, we recognize her genuine desire to achieve peace in Mindanao.
We remember her for giving Muslims a strong voice in Congress, choosing and campaigning for two Muslim candidates. Mamintal Tamano and Santanina Rasul were elected to the senate because of President Aquino.
May her memory live on in our hearts and minds.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel and its Consultants convey their heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and friends of former President Corazon Aquino on her passing away yesterday.
Corazon Aquino was an outstanding and inspiring figure in the anti-fascist alliance against the Marcos dictatorship, especially after the assassination of her husband, Benigno Aquino. She was openly critical of the longrunning support of the US for the Marcos dictatorship in exchange for the aggrandizement of US economic interests and the continuance of the US military bases.
Upon assuming the presidency after the fall of the dictator Marcos, she fulfilled her commitment to release all political prisoners, including Prof. Jose Maria Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the Chief Political Consultant of the NDFP.
She engaged the NDFP in peace negotiations, but the military and police caused the termination of the ceasefire agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the NDFP when they indiscriminately fired on the peasants and their urban supporters marching for land reform on January 22, 1987.
The 1987 constitution, which was framed under the Aquino administration, contains provisions which may be used to counter land reform. But it also carries provisions which uphold human rights and restrain the proclamation of martial law, retain national restrictions on foreign investments and prohibit foreign military bases, foreign troops and nuclear weapons on Philippine soil.
Beset by coup attempts and threats by pro-Marcos and pro-Enrile factions of the military and police, then President Corazon Aquino sent Congressman Jose V. Yap to NDFP officials in The Netherlands in September 1990 to explore the holding of GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. These efforts were, however, derailed by Generals Fidel Ramos and Renato de Villa.
After she finished her term as president, Corazon Aquino strongly opposed the grossly anti-democratic policies and actions of her successors, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In this regard, she was willing to join up with the patriotic and progressive forces of the people in mass protest actions.
Though suffering from failing health, she condemned the anti-democratic machinations of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to cling to power beyond her term ending in June 2010. From her sickbed, she sent a powerful message of support to thousands of demonstrators protesting Mrs. Arroyo’s Con-Ass scheme. She called it “a shameful abuse of power!”.
The NDFP Negotiating Panel and its Consultants express their solidarity with the family, relatives and friends of former President Corazon Aquino in their time of mourning and grief and wish them much strength and courage.
(Sgd.) Luis G. Jalandoni
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
(Sgd.)Fidel V. Agcaoili
Vice-Chairperson, NDFP Negotisting Panel
(Sgd.) Ms. Julieta de Lima – Sison
Member, NDFP Negotiating Panel
(Sgd.) Coni K. Ledesma
Member, NDFP Negotiating Panel
(Sgd.) Asterio B. Palima
Member, NDFP Negotiating Panel
(Sgd.) Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chief Political Consultant
(Sgd.) Atty. Romeo T. Capulong
Senior Legal Adviser
(Sgd.) Vicente Ladlad
Political Consultant
(Sgd.) Dan Borjal
Consultant
(Sgd.) Randall Echanis
Consultant
(Sgd.) Rafael Baylosis
Consultant
(Sgd.) Elizabeth Principe
Consultant
Hindi ba nakabalik na sa bansa si Luis Jalandoni? Dahil daw sa peace talk. Where is he now in the country and what’s he doing?
State funeral for Cory? No pomp for democracy icon
World paused
When Mrs. Arroyo’s passing was announced at dawn on Saturday, the whole world paused. Condolences to the family of Mrs. Aquino poured from all over the world–both through official statements sent through embassies, made on TV, or posted online. A staggering number of people have been paying their tributes to Mrs. Aquino online, inundating social networking and blog sites. For a good number of those posting online, it is their first time to witness the passing of a president.
Major English and non-English media companies all over the world gave a prominent coverage of
through a bloodless street revolution that soon became the template to boot out corrupt governments in Europe and Latin America.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/01/09/state-funeral-cory-no-plomp-democracy-icon
Ano ba ito? Ang gulo!
Sinadya ba ito, o ano?
tita ellen.
could you please tell deedee sytannco to tone down her katarayan when she does the press briefing. listening to her now sa radio. PARANG shes making mando to the reporters to correct the reporters on naming the correct spelling of a grandson. she should be more circumspect and tone down. i love her and i know shes real but i hope she lessens her “kasupladahan” tone although she may probably not mean it pero baka maoofend kasi the other people.
Abs-Cbn Online said they have already corrected the error. “Nalito ang writer,” the editor said.
Deedee Siytangco is an Arroyo sipsip. She has a TV show (or used to have, I’m not sure if it’s still on air) on the government=sequestered Channel 9, that’s why.
Ang huling SONA
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/aug0209/news08.htm
Paalam, PANGULONG Cory!
Nawa’y maging mapayapa at maluwalhati ang iyong paglalakbay pabalik sa piling ng Poong Maykapal!
Maraming salamat sa lahat ng iyong ginawa para sa aming kapakanan.
also sana naman wag munang mag nega si noynoy, sa pilipino kasi kahit sobrang kaaway mo ang tao, pag dumalaw sa lamay ng pamilya mo, tatanggapin mo siya. im not pro arroyo or marcos, in fact im pro aquino, pero sana NOYNOY COULD BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL WHERE YOU SET aside politics now and just give a little hint of forgiveness kahit upto wednesday man lang. i can see theres so much hatred in him. sana wag naman… ang song pa naman ni tita cory ay MAGKAISA. sana wag namang bastusin si arroyo sa wednesday. she is not going there personally (im sure she doesnt want to go personally) pero shes going there because of her office. the office of the president which is by the filipino people. please accept her…im still crying for tita cory’s death.
I was so proud of Cory when i watched her address US congress where she received standing ovation, what a moment to remember. BTW, have not seen or i must have overlooked any reaction/presence from/of Joker Arroyo, isnt he her former executive sec.
amanda,
Noynoy clearly said if ever that woman who calls herself president comes to PRESIDENT Cory’s wake, he and his siblings would be CIVIL to the great pretender. They being educated and taught of civility towards others would accept that woman although they do not want to see the face that corrupted the whole Pinoy nation.
That is, KUNG WALA NA TALAGANG KAHIHIYANG KUNYARI AY MAKIKIRAMAY ang tinamaan ng LINTEK na babaeng hudas na nagpupumilit sumiksik sa pinakasuluksulukang bahagi ng malakanyang.
No, Gloria Arroyo won’t go to see Tita Cory to represent the kapinuyan/or the Office of the President but her evil self because she is FAKE! Fake president of Pinas how could that bitch represent us at the wake of the Pinas’ most beloved woman?!
Tama ang sinabi at asta ni Noynoy! Period!
For once, meron harapang magsabi sa kanya na sibilisado lang sila kaya siya tatanggapin!
Sorry guys if this news has been here somewhere around at Ellenville already. I’m just glad it’s all over yahoo for the world to know why the Aquino siblings rejected a State funeral for their mother.
____
Aquino’s family declines state funeral offer
Reuters
MANILA (Reuters) – The youngest daughter of former Philippine president Corazon Aquino said on Sunday her family had differences with the government, one reason why they had decided against a state funeral for the former leader.
Film and television star Kristina Bernadette Yap, popularly known as Kris Aquino, said there was an offer from the government to give her mother a state funeral befitting a former head of government, but her siblings turned it down.
In an interview on national television, Kris said the differences stemmed from a government decision to recall two soldiers serving as her mother’s security detail after the former president called on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to step down in 2005. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090802/wl_nm/us_philippines_aquino_10
I remember it well when Gloria recalled Tita Cory’s security. That shows how ‘small’ and petty this Panduck can be!
Chi re: Sorry guys if this news has been here somewhere around at Ellenville already.
Chi, this was in the previous post on Noynoy saying Arroyo not exactly welcome but they will be civil if she comes to his mother’s wake posted yesterday.
Here’s that part:
Prans, Grizzy and others have commented on the subject under that post.
OK, Ellen, thanks. Nasa bundok ako and having difficulty linking to the blog, kaya pili-basa lang muna. We’re having a stormy weather and satellite connection is bad, hindi lang ako mapakali dahil nakaburol si Tita Cory kaya nagtitiyaga sa on-off ng dial-up.
Sa Channel News Asia, sabi rin nung anchor na lalaki, “The Philippines mourns the passing of its former leader, Mrs. Arroyo.” Palakpakan kami sa bahay.
the death of national leaders would not normally elicit such a poignant response from people. the difference with cory lies not only in her beauty of person, but in her contrast with the present–and still living–president, gloria. we are sad that cory has died, but we are doubly sad because we are left with a president who–together with her family–has done so much to destroy the filipino soul. masakit talaga. kung baga sa pelikula, nawala yung mabait na nanay, at naiwan ang mga anak sa kamay ng mga halang ang kaluluwa. let us promise cory that we will not allow what she fought for to go to waste because of our indifference or cowardice.
meow,
Please lang. Calling gloria arroyo president is a big slap on our faces.
Hindi naman siya tunay na hinalal ng tao. Nang-agaw noong una at nagnakaw ng boto nitong pangalawa at ngayon, mula pa noon ay pilit binabago ang Saligang Batas upang mas lalong mapalawig ang kanyang pananatili sa poder dahil natatakot managot sa lahat ng krimeng kanyang ginawa laban sa taong bayan.
‘Yung hinahabol naming dagang estero ay mas may dangal pa kaysa kay gloria dahil ‘yung daga ay nang-uumit lamang ng pagkain dala ng gutom at marumi dahil wala siyang disenteng matutuluyan. Ikumpara mo kay gloria!
“The Philippines mourns the passing of its former leader, Mrs. Arroyo.” Palakpakan kami sa bahay. – Tongue.
Kita n’yo nga naman. Dahil sa pagiging isang mapagkunwari, mapagpaimbabaw, walang isang salita at walang paggalang sa kapwa kaya kung ano ano ang pagkakamaling balita ng kanyang kamatayan. Buhay pa si gloria, subalit siya ang hindi sinasadyang ilibing maging ng mga taga ibang bansa. Patunay na ang alingasaw ng kanyang katiwalian ay kalat saang sulok ng sandaigdigan.
Kunsabagay, sa kapal ba naman ng mukha at pagiging balat rhinoceros ni gloria, tatablan pa ba ‘yun ng takot? Ni hindi nga makaramdam ‘yan ng pangangalisag ng balahibo sapagkat ang bumabalot sa katawan niya ay katulad ng sa baboyramo.
We could not thank you enough maám for the sacrifices you and your Honorable husband gave for our country.You are a fearless woman with dignity and true courage…
We will safeguard our return democracy in which your beloved husband The Honorable late Senator Ninoy gave for our country..We would be short of gratitude with the massive effort you both gave,in return of our true Philippine democracy.
No to imeldas offering of reconciliation..for crying out loud this woman..is the same as the dictator..everything they do is timetable to win some political gains in the near future..Never…
Give back to us the stolen wealth then maybe we will talk..
May President Cory rest in peace with her husband in heaven.
Maám we will commit ourselves into your work….DEMOCRACY CORY STYLE.
From all of us here in Monaco.
Cory was a reluctant President because she knew she had no experience in running an office much more a public office as high as presidency. She ran by intuition. Whatever she thought of, that was what she decided. The elite and business cronies were still all around then plus those who got back their empires like the Lopezes. No significant accomplishment. But to her credit, corruption was at its minimum.
kapapanood ko lang nang funeral honors na ipinagkaloob sa dating pangulo ng Pilipinas. sa isang banda ay nakakalungkot pagkat wala na ang matapang at bukal ng dalisay na demokrasya at ako’y nagagalak naman dahil tapos na ang kanyang pakikibaka sa cancer. sa idad kong 64 ay naluha ako pagkat yumao na ang huwaran ng pagiging busilak at tapat na puso sa pamumuno ng ating bayan at hanggang sa huling yugto, huling sandali ng kanyang buhay ay buong pusong pagmamahal pa rin sa bayan ang kanyang sinasambit. Hanggang sa kanyang pagpanaw ay pinagkasundo niya ang buong bansa. Ang pangalan niya ay magiging malaking titik sa aklat ng kasaysayan ng pilipinas na magpapaalaala sa mga susunod na salinlahi na ang pilipinas ay nagkaroon ng pangulong walang dungis lalo na ang konsensya – tapat at malinis na panunungkulan bilang pangulo ng ating bayan.