"Chicken Cory"

(Author's notes: I have dedicated today's column in memory of the late President Cory Aquino) 

When the announcement came that the former president was finally returning to her maker I paused like almost involuntarily. Pondering, wondering and remembering. I was also struggling for awhile the guilt, the ungratefulness I felt back when I was yet with the underground during my youth being among those opposing her reign.

On the other hand, I thought the president had already made her choice if only to relieve her of the physical agony. But on the other hand, why did she choose to let go of herself when she was no stranger to pain at all? Weren't the lost of her caring husband, her private life and family time worth the comparison to the pain she went through? And why did she choose to leave in a time where her counsel and influence are our only and best refuge in the worst of times? Did the time come for her to "chicken out" the challenge that was brought before her as a mother and icon of Philippine democracy?        

To be called a chicken is traditionally perjorative and almost ignominous. The late journalist Luis Beltran was thought to have alluded Cory like a chicken when he said of her that she "hid under the bed" during the 1987 coup attempt. A mistake Beltran humbly acknowledged and for which Cory also humbly and gracefully pardoned.  

I also remember the video that was sent to me by a friend about the story of a diminuitive chicken that happened in a farm of a pastor. Quite interestingly, it was a real-life story of a chicken's futile attempt for motherhood that every time she sits anxiously over her eggs, another hen evicts her. Or when she successfully hatches them, another bigger chicken "chicknaps" her young. Feeling pity for her, the pastor builds for her own nesting place and a small ground for her to exercise her motherly instincts free from the trouble of other bigger chickens that always rob her of her maternal duties she eagerly wants. 

The time came when her motherhood was ultimately put to test when a hawk comes by for a meal. As the hawk nears, all the fowls rush quickly to the barn for refuge except hers and her chicks. I thought that she was going to leave her young out of self-preservation yet unexpectedly she covers them with her wings even at the point of death.

The chicken reminds me of Cory's willingness for the ultimate sacrifice as a mother. She had proven this in the many coup attempts she bravely faced and quelled during her term. But more than anything else, Cory had also proved to us how willingly she gave her motherhood to become the mother of this nation in defense of the "contract" she swore into after she returned the freedom back to us.

Much as we wanted her to be around like a mother we always come home to, we must come to accept that motherhood is as good as when we are like children. Her passing tells us that we have to fend for ourselves and to stand like men and women as she was. To be strong and sacrificing as she was. To be concerned and to look after for the interest of others as she was. And above all to be as real and good parents as she was.

Cory, you were not only a mother to us. You taught us what it takes to be a good mother like you. Thank you for teaching us that motherhood is not only a duty but a virtue.

Thank you for the gift of motherhood.   

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