Essays

Prayers for Tita Cory

Very sad news from Philippines was forwarded to me by a friend in an email. Former President Corazon Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer! Surely this has been the Philippines’ headline for the past week & it’s just sad that cancer strikes again into another popular personality in our home country.

Honestly, I’m not really an avid admirer of the recent Philippine Presidents. Forgive me but that’s how I feel after my numerous bad experiences with our political system. Although, I do appreciate certain individuals who are trying to make a change & trying to exert certain effort inspite of Philippines’ extremely distressing experiences with regards to our leaders. Yes, I do admire Aquino’s adherence to end the horrible Filipinos’ situation under Marcos’ regime.

I remember the year 1986, I was barely 8 years old, & my parents are both government employees. My mother was a public school teacher & my father was a member of the Philippines Coast Guard. I will never forget the Marcos - Aquino elections as it put my mother’s life in danger together with my aunt. Our house is just on the other side of the school where elections were being held. Bravely, both my mother & aunt took the responsibility of manning two election booths in the precinct. My grandfather disapproved of such participation of his two daughters for this very controversial & very dangerous election. At the age of 8, I hardly understood what their motives were in being involved in the electoral process. I can remember me & my younger brother (who was only 6 but that time) were awakened in the middle night by gunshots from the school. My grandfather was crying & asked some of our relative members to get my mother & my auntie from such horrible situation. The story of my grandfather recalled that they saw two ladies tightly holding those ballot boxes inside the classroom. Gunshots from unknown men were all over the school compound. It was truly a sleepless night in our family. We just felt relieved when we were informed that my mother & auntie were safely driven to the district office for the counting of the election ballots.

After the incident, our house was filled with relatives & neighbors as we were watching the unforgettable EDSA revolution. I can still remember their applause as certain officials turned away from Marcos’ side. Those were the days that I may not fully understand the Philippines’ real situation but I can feel the pressure of fighting for the right of just being a Filipino!

Now, the lady who strongly stood for EDSA I & motivated the entire country for the BIG change need our prayers for this, another struggle, another challenge in her life. It’s just sad that today the Philippines is still looking for the right leader.

However, it’s pay back time. Prayers are needed for Madam Cory Aquino!

By Annie Abarca