Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
| The passing of Cory Aquino |
On page 6 of this issue is a personal account of writer and activist Gus Mercado (a Filipino
American based in Texas) about his relationship with the late Philippine President Cory Aquino and her
husband, Benigno or ‘Ninoy.’ I share his sadness — and that of the rest of the democratic world — for
the passing of ‘Cory,’ the housewife who became president as a result of the 1986 People Power
Revolution at EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Ave. in Makati).
For those who are not familiar with the Philippines’ political history, Ninoy Aquino was the arch
enemy of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the Philippines for 20 years (1965-1985). When
Marcos declared martial law in 1972, Ninoy was right away arrested, together with several outspoken
social and political activists of the time. He was imprisoned at a military camp for several years and
was only allowed to leave for the United States to undergo a much-needed heart surgery. Many thought
Marcos “freed” Ninoy for health reasons to show his human side to the world; but in fact didn’t want him
back in the country. Ninoy’s friends had advised Ninoy to reconsider his decision to go back, but Ninoy
stood firm, saying “The Filipinos are worth dying for.”
Ninoy was assassinated on the tarmac of Manila International Airport when he went back to the
Philippines in 1983. He was wearing the same clothes stained with his blood during his wake, which
thousands of people attended, including myself. Thousands of people joined Ninoy’s funeral march,
shedding tears for a fallen “hero” who was considered the only hope for the restoration of democracy
American based in Texas) about his relationship with the late Philippine President Cory Aquino and her
husband, Benigno or ‘Ninoy.’ I share his sadness — and that of the rest of the democratic world — for
the passing of ‘Cory,’ the housewife who became president as a result of the 1986 People Power
Revolution at EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Ave. in Makati).
For those who are not familiar with the Philippines’ political history, Ninoy Aquino was the arch
enemy of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the Philippines for 20 years (1965-1985). When
Marcos declared martial law in 1972, Ninoy was right away arrested, together with several outspoken
social and political activists of the time. He was imprisoned at a military camp for several years and
was only allowed to leave for the United States to undergo a much-needed heart surgery. Many thought
Marcos “freed” Ninoy for health reasons to show his human side to the world; but in fact didn’t want him
back in the country. Ninoy’s friends had advised Ninoy to reconsider his decision to go back, but Ninoy
stood firm, saying “The Filipinos are worth dying for.”
Ninoy was assassinated on the tarmac of Manila International Airport when he went back to the
Philippines in 1983. He was wearing the same clothes stained with his blood during his wake, which
thousands of people attended, including myself. Thousands of people joined Ninoy’s funeral march,
shedding tears for a fallen “hero” who was considered the only hope for the restoration of democracy
in the country. Three years later, Ninoy’s housewife Cory joined the EDSA People Power Revolution that finally ousted Marcos from
power. She became president of the Philippines in February 1986 — the first woman to ever become president of the Philippines,
and the first plain “housewife” to occupy the seat. She succeeded in changing the dictatorial system that the Marcos regime was
known for. She called for the convening of a Constitu-tional Commission composed of elected members to rewrite the Philippine
Constitution. I was very lucky to have been chosen to become an editor of the Commission. I was honored to have been part of that
democratic change.
When the Philippine Constitutional Commission’s work ended, its secretary general, lawyer Flery Ruth Romero, became Cory’s
special assistant. To my surprise and excitement, Atty. Romero invited me to be her executive assistant in Malacañang Palace. It
was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass so I immediately said ‘Yes!’ Imagine working two doors away from Cory’s!
Cory Aquino was a plain housewife, yes, but she was highly educated (she completed her bachelor’s degree in the U.S.) and
was exposed to political issues because of Ninoy. Her family was also highly political and well-known in the province of Tarlac.
She was fluent in both French and English, and could talk and inspire people at any level. Cory’s intelligence, confidence and
determination were proven time and again as she dealt with challenging issues that faced a new government that rose from the
ashes of the Marcos regime. Her wise selection of highly capable individuals and activists to assist her in rebuilding the nation
was amazing. I am proud and honored to have been part of that effort, although my contribution was a tiny speck of the whole.
Cory worked so hard to achieve Ninoy’s wish — regain a democratic government for the Filipino people. It’s her glowing
legacy, and no one can take that away from her.
Tita Cory can now rest in peace.
power. She became president of the Philippines in February 1986 — the first woman to ever become president of the Philippines,
and the first plain “housewife” to occupy the seat. She succeeded in changing the dictatorial system that the Marcos regime was
known for. She called for the convening of a Constitu-tional Commission composed of elected members to rewrite the Philippine
Constitution. I was very lucky to have been chosen to become an editor of the Commission. I was honored to have been part of that
democratic change.
When the Philippine Constitutional Commission’s work ended, its secretary general, lawyer Flery Ruth Romero, became Cory’s
special assistant. To my surprise and excitement, Atty. Romero invited me to be her executive assistant in Malacañang Palace. It
was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass so I immediately said ‘Yes!’ Imagine working two doors away from Cory’s!
Cory Aquino was a plain housewife, yes, but she was highly educated (she completed her bachelor’s degree in the U.S.) and
was exposed to political issues because of Ninoy. Her family was also highly political and well-known in the province of Tarlac.
She was fluent in both French and English, and could talk and inspire people at any level. Cory’s intelligence, confidence and
determination were proven time and again as she dealt with challenging issues that faced a new government that rose from the
ashes of the Marcos regime. Her wise selection of highly capable individuals and activists to assist her in rebuilding the nation
was amazing. I am proud and honored to have been part of that effort, although my contribution was a tiny speck of the whole.
Cory worked so hard to achieve Ninoy’s wish — regain a democratic government for the Filipino people. It’s her glowing
legacy, and no one can take that away from her.
Tita Cory can now rest in peace.
