Cory’s death anniversary remembered
The memory of the late former president Corazon Aquino remains alive and well, especially to those who were impacted by her life 13 years after her death.
Aquino, regarded as a democracy icon in the Philippines, died on Aug. 1, 2009 after battling cancer.
During a mass commemorating her 13th death anniversary yesterday, Fr. Ricky Montanez, in his homily, lauded Aquino’s compassion to the Filipinos in the fight against the dictatorship.
Montanez said Aquino was still mourning the death of her husband, Ninoy, when she ran in the 1986 snap election.
“Why would a widowed housewife whose marriage was interrupted by political strife agreed to fight a David and Goliath battle that most candidates prepared for their entire career?” he said. “I believe it was her compassion that moved her to sacrifice her comfort and privacy to stand up for every Filipino, distressed by the prevailing political situation. She saw the suffering of the Filipino people and she could not simply stand on the sidelines to wallow in her pain.”
The priest lauded Aquino’s humility, saying a lesser human being would claim credit for the peaceful revolution, which reverted democracy in the country.
Montanez underscored the need for people to continue looking after the greater good of others, especially in the trying times of the pandemic.
“Let us pray that God opens our eyes and sees truth, make our senses keen to the suffering of others, let our ears hear the lamentations of the distressed and hearts consistently moved with compassion for those in need,” he said.
He urged Filipinos to “respond quickly, charitably, and generously as a testament to the God who truly hears the cries of His people.”
Yesterday, several visitors offered prayers at the tomb of the late president at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City.
There were those who came all the way from the province to offer prayers.
Yellow ribbons were also tied at the columns of Cory’s tomb.
People also laid flowers on Aquino’s tomb.