The Figure of Freedom

(Feature Story: Descriptive )

Yellow ribbons hug every post. Patriotic songs linger the air waves. Even Dawn’s “Tie a Yellow Ribbon…” comes to life. The Arm Forces of the Philippines (AFP) offers a Volley of Fire. Eight canon balls continuously blasting; one every thirty minutes until sunset. Philippine flags, half mast. Tears flood the nation.    (descriptive lead)

The world-wide democratic icon just passed away.

Not just the Filipino people mourn but the whole world grieves upon the passing of former president Cory Aquino after an excruciating and long, one-year-and-four-month fight against colon cancer — a battle she failed to win.

Today August 1, at exactly 3:18 a.m. marked Cory’s last gasp of air due to a cardio respiratory arrest.

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My eyes were glued for about two and a half hours at the early morning news over GMA’s special coverage report, “Salamat Cory.”

Never-before-seen pictures of Cory flashed on the screen, from her high school years in Philadelphia, to her marriage with Ninoy.

The Aquino family’s portraits yellowed by years adorned the TV monitor. Nonstop phone and personal interviews of various political figures. Noynoy Aquino’s announcement of her mother’s death. Brief interview on Boy Abunda, one of the Aquino’s close friends who told the media how peaceful and emotion-filled the last minutes of Cory’s life were — her five children huddled around the bed, hand-in-hand prayed the rosary.

As Virna Lisa’s “Magkaisa” played together with a VTR of the People Power Revolution of 1986, my tears started to build up; my throat tightened.

Nuns were on their knees with huge fighter tanks on their faces; grasping their holy rosaries. Civilians were offering flower garlands and food to heavily armed military officers, as the revolution counted three days. A heart-swelling site!  Thousands of people mobbed the EDSA Shrine for their raging cry for freedom, armed only with posters, flags, and prayers. Our three-stared flag with a sun tirelessly fluttered by freedom-hungry Pinoys. Aquino’s brevity equally exuded.

On the other hand, on a live interview with Winnie Monsod by Arnold Clavio and Vicky Morales at the said morning news, she storied her favorite analogy about Cory: At Cory’s disputable defeat on the snap election in Feb. 7, 1986, where at first, she was reluctant to join into, believing she was unjustly served at the election, she proposed for the need of a revolution. Her advisers were afraid for her and the possibilities of such. They strongly suggested to launch the rally anywhere but in Luneta. They might not pack the place with people; they were extremely anxious it could just end up a failure. But Cory said with conviction, as quoted by Mareng Winnie — “If the Filipino people really support me, I want to know now.” An undefeated courage, and an unfailing faith. Then indeed, came Feb. 22, thousands of people joined the rally with a blazing desire for democracy.

In an interview with Jessica Soho taped last 2008, she uttered as a response to the reporter’s question, that one the highlights of her regime was during her attendance and speech at the US Congress in 1987. She was welcomed with an astounding standing ovation from US leaders and political figures. I could clearly quote one of the best lines she released with conviction: “You (referring to the US as a whole) have spent so many lives and treasures in giving freedom to some nations who were reluctant to receive it; but here you have people (referring to the Filipino people) who won it by themselves…” (referring to the peaceful victory of the People Power I). What a huge honor for the Filipinos.

Speaking about her fight against the deadly disease, she related she was overwhelmingly touched by people, even by those unknown to her, who sent cards, flowers and love notes; making her wonder, “What have I done to these people that they support me all the way?” What a very humble heart!

On a separate instance, the yellow-clad lady said that if she were to die, she is a bit luckier than her husband for she was given the chance to behold and know how many people treasure, love, and support her; comparing Ninoy’s death procession wherein two million Filipinos showed up and crowded the streets, yet he never get to see the soul stirring site of pouring love and support!

At the conclusion of her interview she expressed her gratitude to the nation for their support and conveyed that it is her sincere privilege to be born a Filipino. How proud she was to be one!

Paradoxically, as a full-blooded Pinoy for 26 long years, I never wholly realized how vital and monumental Aquino’s contributions to the Filipinos were — until just this morning, the dawn of her death.  I was just three years old when the revolution, the great bloodless fight for freedom erupted. How I hope I was mature enough that time to realize the significance of that blessed day, able enough to understand and feel I am a free Filipino, old enough to appreciate and express gratitude to those people instrumental in attaining liberty. One of those heroes was Cory herself; once sorrowful, crying widow turned fearless freedom fighter, continuing his late husband’s halted quest of unlocking the fetter of dictatorship.

After my BYUH experience, I have not yet again felt such a burning bosom triggered by pure patriotism until this morning.