Cory Aquino to the world

 While Congress is yet to act on the proposal to declare former president Corazon Aquino a national hero, a proposal which is likely to have a rough sailing considering the dominant political atmosphere in that body, the Time magazine, undoubtedly, one of the world's most prestigious publications, has come out lately with a special report on the country's first woman president, its cover displaying her picture with a caption, "The Woman Who Changed Asia". In its inside pages there are three full-length stories with full-spread photos one of which is labeled "The Saint of Democracy".

   The first article focuses on the impact of the EDSA People Power of 1986 upon the freedom moments in other countries. That uprising led by Cory Aquino became the inspiration of similar non-violent uprisings in other countries where for decades the people longed for a democratic way of life. Among other things, it showed the world that regime change can be attained not only through the barrel of guns but also through peaceful mass actions. As a result of the EDSA, socio-political transformations took place in other countries, such as those in Indonesia, South Korea, and later in Thailand. The same transformative happening occurred in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Mongolia and Taiwan.

   According to the author, "Within a few years of People Power in the Philippines, it was hard to keep up with all those uprisings that were sweeping aside authoritarian regimes across the globe". But People Power to be successful, says the author, needs one important condition, and that is the understanding on the part of the leaders thrust into office "to make a graceful exit" when their term ends.

   The second story entitled, "A Miracle Worker in a Plain Yellow Dress" deals with the Aquino presidency described by the author as "tumultuous" but which she managed to keep afloat through sheer courage and faith in God. Here's a quote "To govern the Philippines, she would need all the goodwill she could muster. The country was one breath away from the economic morgue, while Manila's brand of democracy was built on seeds". Despite these and eight coup attempts, President Aquino survived. This was critical because "her survival guaranteed the continuation of democracy in her homeland".

   The third write-up chronicles the events that brought about the EDSA phenomenon particularly the military revolt engineered by the Reform the Armed Forces Movement led by defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile, who was later joined by P.C. Chief Fidel V. Ramos. It depicts too the dramatic movements that led to the confrontation between Marcos' soldiers and the mass of civilians which culminated in the flight of the dictator and the assumption of Aquino as president of the Republic.

   On the whole, these stories projected one important message for us Filipinos: That Cory Aquino's prestige as the "Saint of Democracy" is acknowledged throughout the world. This is an important message because many of our fellow countrymen have not fully grasped the significance of Cory Aquino's achievement in bringing back democracy to this country, much less have they understood the bountiful effect of this upon other people in other parts of the world, who like the Filipinos, wanted to be free. All these years we have somehow taken Cory for granted. As we forge ahead under new leaderships we have kept her only in the periphery of our senses, believing that her days were over and that it was best for her to stay at home. In fact, she had been chided by the press for leaning towards the ousted president in the latter's anti-government misadventures. And militant groups have raised their voice against her family's alleged unfair treatment of the farmers in their farm lands.

   Although on her passing away millions mourned, still many were unconvinced of the critical role she played as icon of Philippine democracy, taking her only as the lucky one upon whom the mantle of leadership fell because she happened to be at the right place at the right moment. Why is this so? Is it because of the highly politicalized sensibility of the Filipinos? Or is it because of their debilitating crab mentality? As we think of this, we are reminded of these words of Jesus: "No prophet is without honor except in his own country."

   If other people in other countries have been overwhelmed by Cory Aquino's feat in the field of peaceful regime change while we Filipinos seem to have taken this for granted, what an indictment against our concept of what is good and great in an individual!

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