Willie in another tight corner

another controversy for Willie...


WHY DOES Willie Revillame keep painting himself into a tight corner? After a number of controversial gaffes in the past, the “Wowowee” host has gotten himself into another sticky spot – or two – and has thus decided to go on leave for a couple of weeks from his popular noontime show.

Willie’s latest gaffes: He objected to the insertion in his show of footage from the late, great Cory Aquino’s funeral, and he allegedly talked on-cam about the dating proclivities of a man who turned out to be very much married.

There are two sides to every coin, of course, so in Willie’s defense, his supporters point out that the Aquino family has already forgiven him, and the host wasn’t against the Cory funeral footage per se, he just didn’t think it was appropriate to edit them into a slap-happy noontime program.

As for the married guy whose cover he blew, Willie hasn’t aired his side just yet – but the man’s wife has complained in no uncertain terms.

Beyond these two new controversies, however, more basic questions continue to rankle: Namely, why does Willie keep getting into trouble? And why do some people on TV (Willie isn’t the only one) keep shooting themselves in the foot?

Some possible answers:

TV personalities like Willie are “on” daily and generally work without a script, so they have to rely on their wits to get things straight and not come up with too many mistakes that will later end up biting them in the butt.

In addition, TV hosts like Willie become popular not just because they’re good in their line of work, but also because they generally represent the swaggering, kwela macho stud, the type who can be relied on to make “amusing” winking comments that delight the slap-happy TV audience. Trouble is, those sometimes racy, edgy and colorful ad-libs often turn off people who think that the TV medium should be used more responsibly, especially because impressionable youths are watching.

Viewers also object to some TV hosts’ disparaging remarks about “ugly” people, the elderly and the physically disabled, and the cavalier, insensitive way they have of treating women as sex objects.

So, TV hosts have their work cut out for them in constantly avoiding stepping on those potential land mines. This has become especially difficult at this time, when so many parents and educators have become more TV-savvy and thus see the danger of some TV people adversely influencing children with their unenlightened patter, attitudes and behavior.

For these and other reasons, TV hosts like Willie have to be constantly self-aware and self-protective to make sure that, in blithely entertaining viewers with their spirited, exuberant ad-libs, they still toe the line as far as responsible behavior on TV is concerned.

To top it all, TV personalities have to contend with the very popularity that they enjoy. It rewards them with a lot of fame, money, the adulation of millions, and a lot of other heady perks – and these rewards eventually delude them into being shot down. So, when they do get flak, they don’t know how to deal with it.

At first they bully their way through, but when that doesn’t work and the criticism piles up and turns uglier, they’re caught flat-footed.

To protect themselves from these and other career land mines, it’s important that TV people don’t get an inflated view of their own importance. They should continually remind themselves that they owe everything to their viewers and focus, not on themselves, but on how to be of better and more responsible service to the people who “made” them in the first place. If they fail to do that, they should prepare themselves – to reap the whirlwind. 

Cory, they aint

an interesting opinion on Cory and politics in the Philippines today.

ONE MAN’S MEAT By Benjamin G. Defensor

That it should come to this…

O God! A beast, that wants discourse of reason,Would have mourned longer…

IN these lines of Shakespeare, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, despairs the events that swiftly followed on the death of his father. In rapid succession a new king came up. And a date was set for his wedding with the new queen.

It may not be that apropos, but the nine days of prayers for the dead were not even over when ambition and politics reared their heads following the funeral of the Philippines’ Mother of Democracy, President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.

It is unfair to Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd and his sister Kris Aquino when their names were suddenly brought up as a force to be reckoned with in politics. Sen. Aquino cannot very well dismiss the thought offhand, himself the highest ranking Aquino in government. But said that Kris, who had in the past given intimations about entering politics, will have to make the decision herself.

The wicked speed, by which some post with dexterity to publicity, is not nor it cannot come to good. The extensive coverage given by media to the funeral gave justice to this bit of history. The newspaper reports could be compiled and put together in one special issue for historians and researchers in the future. A similar compilation was done of the reportage of The New York Times of the death and funeral of the late United States President Robert F. Kennedy in 1960.

The television coverage was unprecedented and expensive we can pass up the political ads—there is no other way we can call them—of presidentiables which kept intruding into the coverage because after all the revenue they bring in helps in sustaining the coverage.

It is unfortunate that this early, Sen. Aquino is being sicced on Sen. Francis Pangi linan in the Vice Presidential race next year. Pangilinan, this early has thrown his hat on the ring, along with several presi dentiables who are making noises at the Presidency but have their eyes on the No. 2 position.

Those who believe in the capacity of showbiz personalities to corral the votes for a candidate see a mano-a-mano encounter between megastar Sharon Cuneta, the wife of Senator Pangilinan and Kris Aquino, the sister of Noynoy.

This is not an open and shut case though. Mega star Vilma Santos can win as governor of Batangas but couldn’t carry her husband, Ralph Recto to the Senate.

Sen.Mar Roxas hopes to do better by marrying news anchor Korina Sanchez. This early, however, his campaign has been hitting some snags. Quick on the draw, his handlers thought they could earn easy brownie points by announcing that Senator Roxas would move to change the name of EDSA to Cory avenue.

Who would have been bumped off by the senator’s proposal? EDSA is the popular contraction of the original Epifanio de los Santos avenue. This was adopted by usage and not by bureaucratic fiat. But who is EDS?

De los Santos is better remembered as Don Panyong. He was a journalist and literary critic. He preside over the first writers’ club in the entresuelo of his house on Magallanes street in Intramuros. The group included Filipino literary stalwarts as Cecilio Apostol, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, Rafael Palma, Jose G. Abreu, Jaime C. de Veyra and Clemente J. Zulueta.

Don Panyong and Zulueta started the newspaper La Libertad in Malabon right after then Commodore George Dewey routed the Spanish navy on Manila Bay in 1898. Along with the members of his group, he joined the La Independencia, a newspaper organized by Gem. Antonio Luna.

There is a story told of Don Panyong that while he was working with La Independencia, he fell in love with Rosa Sevilla, a staffmember of the paper along with other young blades. He made an oil painting of Miss Sevilla as an anonymous gift to her. He wrote his signature on the back of the painting along with it, a musical piece. He asked to remove the back of the painting and revealed his name and the music. He played the piece on his guitar to the “despair of the other suitors.”

more from here http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/aug/09/yehey/opinion/20090809opi5.html

Cory’s memory alive in hearts of 2 townmates

Read on this article on how two townmates cherish their fondest memory of Mrs. Aquino:

Despite the death of former President Cory Aquino, two of her townmates in Tarlac — retired teacher Milagros Milla and museum staff Lina Salvador Bernardino — have a reason to smile and feel proud these days, because as they recalled fondly, the former president had gifted them with several of her signature yellow clothes that she wore during rallies to defend the country’s democracy.

Milla and Bernardino, both from Tarlac City, felt lucky having got personal clothes from Mrs. Aquino which were given to them when the late president visited the Aquino Museum, also in the city, on several occasions either just for personal reasons or to accompany VIPs (very important persons) for a walk down memory lane on the Aquino family’s historical past.

Instead of displaying her old clothes in the Aquino Museum, the former leader opted to give them to other people who will surely benefit from them.

The two claimed that no amount of money will convince them to give up their handover clothes from Mrs. Aquino, especially after they witnessed the multitudes who showed their love and respects to the “icon of democracy” during her wake first at La Salle Greenhills and later at the Manila Cathedral and during her funeral procession to the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City last August 5.

During an interview with the Manila Bulletin inside the Aquino Museum, Milla and Bernardino proudly wore Mrs. Aquino’s blouse and blazer, made by famous designers Bobby Novenario and Auggie Cordero, respectively.

On display in the museum were the original yellow dress worn by Mrs. Aquino when she was sworn into office as the first lady president of the country following the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution and a Filipino terno she donned during the turnover ceremonies when she ended her term in June 1992.

Milla and Bernardino said they are now the envy of their friends and relatives because of the “souvenirs” they got from the late president.

“I was surprised that one day, President Cory just arrived at the museum with a box-load of yellow clothes. She just told me to choose from her wardrobe,” Bernardino said.

Having almost the same body built and height, Bernardino said that Mrs. Aquino often assigned to her the task of distributing the clothes but gave her first priority to choose which among them she would keep.

“At first, I was really surprised because I knew that the clothes were worn by a former leader of our country. I didn’t imagine myself wearing her clothes later on,” she said.

Bernardino, who worked as a staff of the Aquino Museum which was opened on August 21, 2001, remembered Mrs. Aquino as a very caring person. Aside from clothes, the former president also brought food for the museum staff each time she would drop by for a visit. “She was very caring. She would often ask how we are,” Lina recalled.

On the other hand, Milla, who volunteers as a guide at the Aquino Museum whenever the place is overflowing with visitors, said that although she had souvenir clothes from Mrs. Aquino, she seldom use them in order to preserve them. Aside from the yellow clothes, Mrs. Aquino also gifted her with art works that included a painting of bouquet of flowers and a big puzzle that is now displayed in the Millia household. Both art pieces bear Mrs. Aquino’s signatures.

“My seven children are now asking me to give them those paintings. No way!” she exclaimed.

Milla, now 76, belongs to the “49ers Group” composed of high school graduates of Holy Ghost Institute in1949 in Tarlac that supported the campaigns of Mrs. Aquino.

Wearing silver-framed eyeglasses and sporting a brushed-up hairstyle, many say that Milla is a look alike of Mrs. Aquino.

more from here http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/214950/cory-s-memory-alive-hearts-2-townmates

Rene remembers Cory

Rene Saguisag honors Cory in this article

By Rina Jimenez-David
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:23:00 08/05/2009

This is the season for remembering, especially for everyone who had come of age by 1983, and so took part in one way or another in the events of the times. “Veterans” of the parliament of the street and the Yellow Army especially have been drawn back to those years, igniting memories which will never fade perhaps, no matter how much time has passed, and made sharper as the nation bids “Tita Cory” farewell today.

Among those with “bragging rights” to reminisce on the Cory years and recall the times they spent with the former president, Rene Saguisag deserves a special place. A human rights lawyer at a time when the title meant risking arrest and persecution, Saguisag played a vital role in the post-Ninoy assassination protest movement, eventually being named spokesman for Ms Aquino when she finally agreed to run for president.

Political differences may have put Saguisag and Ms Aquino in different camps after her term ended, but clearly the friendship remained strong, especially after Saguisag and his wife Dulce figured in a vehicular accident that killed Dulce and left Rene in frail health.

Just recently, he remembers, a TV crew came to interview him about Cory and took shots of a gift she had given him, a painting she made herself. For the first time, Saguisag said, “I saw on the back (of the painting) a note thanking me ‘for being my spokesman, my lawyer, my speech-writer, my loyal supporter and most of all for being my friend! God bless!”’

“She would write nice notes,” he noted.

* * *

IN DECEMBER 2007, Cory stood as ninang (godmother) in the wedding of Saguisag’s son Rebo and his bride Jackie. January last year, before her family told the public about her illness, Cory paid a visit to Saguisag to console him on the loss of Dulce, and some time after, called him again to thank him for “something I had said.” Already battling cancer, Ms Aquino even managed to send gifts to Rebo and Jackie’s first child, along with another nice note to the couple.

“I was her spokesperson in the 1985-1986 snap election campaign, a role she asked me to continue discharging when we took power, to my shock,” Saguisag remembers. “When I made kendeng (swayed, meaning he dithered about accepting the appointment), that late afternoon of Feb. 25, 1986, when we had two presidents, she said to an equally surprised Joker and me (both of us looking down at our shoes a long, long time): ‘Kasama kayo sa mga nagpatakbo sa akin, ngayon ayaw ninyo akong tulungan (You were among those who urged me to run now you don’t want to help me).’ So we got aboard, and discharged the campaign promise to release all political detainees, to the chagrin of Manong Johnny and RAM… President Cory could not start by going back on a solemn commitment.”

And now, Saguisag declares: “My boss, icon and friend is gone, to join Dulce and make tsismis. More seriously, to pray for us in this valley of tears.”

more on this in Inquirer http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090805-218788/Rene-remembers-Cory

Vilma plays title role in Cory filmbio (and Kris will build house for Noynoy)

while reading the papers, I got across this planned film bio for Cory...

FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo

Already immortalized in many different ways, including by Time magazine which features her again on the cover of its latest issue (the same magazine named her Woman of the Year in 1986), the late Pres. Cory Aquino will be the subject of a filmbio to be produced by Star Cinema, with Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos being eyed to portray the Icon of Democracy. Perfect casting!

I got this interesting information from Kris Aquino herself during a casual phone chat last Saturday. She’s now nursing little son James who got sick afterTita Cory’s burial last Wednesday, Aug. 5.

“I’m also catching up on sleep,” said Kris.

Although she has been interviewed for TV newscast during her mom’s wake, Kris said she’s waiting for the ninth day (which fell yesterday) after Tita Cory’s death before she returns to “live” television and that’s tonight on SNN (Showbiz News Ngayon), her late-night ABS-CBN show with buddy Boy Abunda.

I know that Kris is going to make a “very important announcement” on the show but I promised Funfaresources not to preempt Kris, so I’m keeping mum about it until tonight. Is it going to be a “make or break” thing? Stay tuned — and keep your eyes and ears wide open.

Back to the Cory filmbio...

No timetable has been set yet when it will start shooting, or who the director and other members of the cast will be (such as who will play Kris), but it won’t definitely be shown maybe until after one year because Vilma is running for reelection and she’s not supposed to have a movie shown or appear on TV longer than the time and space allowed by the COMELEC or have her product-endorsement billboards on display during the campaign period. Besides, Vilma has just finished shooting In My Life, also for Star Cinema, which is showing in September.

Why not show it in August next year as part of the commemoration of Tita Cory’s first death anniversary?

“I’m asking Paul (Cabral) and JC (Buendia) to help us sort out my mom’s dresses,” said Kris. (It was Paul Cabral who made Tita Cory’s burial dress.) “Maybe Vilma can wear them for the movie.”

Aside from the Cory filmbio, Charo Santos-Concio is also doing an episode on one of Tita Cory’s bodyguards (one of them delivered a touching eulogy last Tuesday night at the Manila Cathedral during Tita Cory’s wake) for her long-running drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK).

Kris casually mentioned that Tita Cory’s house on Times St., Quezon City (which she left as pamanato son Sen. Noynoy Aquino) might have to be torn down and replaced with a bigger one, construction of which Kris herself will finance. Noynoy is mulling the idea and his sisters (Ballsy, Pinky and Viel) are teasing him, “Ayaw mo n’yan, ipagagawa ka ng bahay ni Kris.”

“The lot area is big, more than 1,000 square meters, and the (new) house will have a pool specially built for Joshua and James Jr.,” said Kris. “We have regular family reunions and we plan to hold them in that new house.”

Kris and her sisters have started going over Tita Cory’s personal effects.

“I cried again when we came upon an unopened box of Ensure,” said Kris. “When Mom was sick, that was what she was taking, Ensure. Now, it’s Joshua who’s taking it.”

see more from Ricky Lo's article here http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=494634&publicationSubCategoryId=70

The Ninoy/Cory leadership, its Spirituality

A nice article regarding Cory's leadership:

by Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ (November 25, 2004) | 08/01/2009 8:02 AM

Let me be very honest about what this paper hopes to say on “the spirituality of the Ninoy-and Cory leadership” – the topic assigned. I must confess that I am largely ignorant of the vast amount of literature that has developed of late on the theme of leadership. It will have to be somebody knowledgeable this area who can take my remarks and put them in proper focus, in the precise context of leadership.

What I can contribute is something on the spiritual vision which I believe underlies the Ninoy/Cory leadership, as it has impacted on the history of the last three decades in our country. That vision, of course, has a design for the society and nation it tries to bring to realization in our land. But that vision also includes what we might call incarnate embodiment of what leadership must be offered so that that society can be authentically realized. More concretely, what we must do, what is asked of us, if that society, so conceived and so constructed, can arise and endure.

FAITH IS COURAGE … AND HOPE

Mrs. Cory Aquino was the first Asian and the first woman, to receive the prestigious honorary doctorate in Political Sciences from the University of the Sacred Heart in Milan (Italy) In October 1995, when she had delivered her doctoral address, one of the authorities of the university commented,

The event was an unusual one, standing out among occasions of a similar nature. Mrs. Aquino’s address was not a mere academic dissertation, of solemn and elevated discourse. It was first of all an authentic testimony of faith, a deeply moving one. Mrs. Aquino touched all by being an authentic witness. Even in a Catholic University like ours, rarely do we hear such an impressive personal profession of both ethical and religious commitment.

The Italian press gave marked attention to the same awarding rites and one national daily, Avvenire, gave the event almost an entire page with the heading, “CORY, GOD’S REVOLUTIONARY”. The paper said:

“Faith is courage.” That is, Corazon Aquino. Meeting a person, one rarely has the perception of coming face-to-face with an embodiment of incarnate values, but this happened yesterday . . . at Milan, with those who were able to see and listen to the former Philippine President.

Perhaps this spontaneous response to Mrs. Aquino’s person, her presence, her words, give us some sort of lead as to what the “spiritual dimensions” of Ninoy’s and her leadership have been, above all. Let us be fortright about this, even if this may not sound politically correct here at a seminar of this sort. We are speaking of the FAITH DIMENSION in her, and Ninoy’s leadership. She has been quite unambiguous on this point, and even the most hurried reading of the two books of speeches which she herself has selected, IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY AND PRAYER, and INSPIRATION AND IMAGES, makes this wholly evident. Most revealing, doubtless, of all, is what in a way is her most personal book, NINOY AND CORY, put together for the inauguration of the Aquino Center in Tarlac: pictures and texts are personally chosen (she says), and her introduction asks readers to “take time to explain to your young relatives and friends the meaning of Ninoy’s ultimate sacrifice” The pictures intend “to impress upon you the importance of prayer in our lives specially in times of trial and adversity.”

In “Honor and Pain, Courage and Faith,” the address she delivered on receiving her first honorary doctoral degree (19 May 1984) from Mt St Vincent College in New York, she focused on faith and prayer, and the courage that derives from them. Ninoy and she were empowered not only to weather the storms which encompassed their lives, to endure them with resignation; they were given a “blazing and serene hope” in the midst of darkness. “For me (she said) “this blazing and serene hope is founded on Faith in the One who died for love and rose again and who has always been a part of my life.” “This afternoon you honor me for courage that is accompanied by and founded on faith.” Ninoy was a son of his people, and she its daughter. “We are what we have been able to become because we were nurtured in a Faith that begets courage blazing with hope among a people so often tested by tribulation. And how often I have seen courage and hope blazing out of the Faith of my people especially in our darkest hours. . . . Even as I accept this honor, I think of my people struggling once again with courage and blazing with hope in their hour of tribulation.”

These words were spoken two years before EDSA Uno. Without the least ambiguity she attributes to Faith and Prayer the Courage and Hope that have shaped them to “what we have been able to become.” Her husband – many times – spoke of the process which “created” the Ninoy who led our people to freedom – the process: imprisonment, suffering and loneliness, brokenness and even despair, the total powerlessness and privation to which he had been reduced and in which and through which he was given the “poverty and purity of spirit”, the entrustment of self to God’s will, the committing of self to God’s purposes, – and the peace, the clarity and courage which came from that. This was his formation to leadership – and when Cory’s time came to lead, the same process (if somewhat differently realized in her and experienced by her) empowered her to walk before her people as they struggled to win redemption for themselves. Their leadership, in a true sense, was given to Ninoy and Cory. For Ninoy, what was given him was a different kind of leadership from that which he himself first sought. For Cory, leadership was really thrust upon her, but there had been the process which enabled her to move into it. When we speak of the “spiritual dimensions” of Ninoy/Cory leadership, we must make sure the “formation to leadership” which their histories, and – in their own belief – God worked out for them, is seen as necessary and essential preludes.

“POWER IN WEAKNESS”

It may not be generally known that in 1986, when Mrs. Aquino was already at Malacañang, Mr. David Puttnam, its producer, and Mr. Roland Joffe, its director, brought the epic movie, THE MISSION, to Manila, so they could show it to her, and so that she might allow the two of them to make a film based on Ninoy’s life, on the Ninoy story as an amazing “living out again” of the Jesus story. The story of a calling, in Ninoy’s case, from the ways of the world, to the ultimate sacrifice. Puttnam saw the Ninoy story as a renewed revelation of the very core of Christian spirituality. A man who (if we may use the words of Ignatius of Loyola, whose Spiritual Exercises and its “Two Standards” Puttnam had, surprisingly enough, never read) . . . a man who, at the seeming height of his political career, “with every diligence seeks honors, power and the credit of a great name upon the earth”, is brought down instead, and through the humiliation, torture and despair of captivity in the hands of an enemy, and then through prayer in the midst of seeming perdition and defeat, finds Jesus and what for him is the message of Jesus. In human brokenness he lays aside his search for worldly glory, and places himself within God’s will and purpose, seeking now only to further God’s leading of his people, discovering Jesus’ personal love for him, uniting his suffering with Christ’s suffering and learning that life’s deepest meaning is found in self-giving, in self-sacrificing love, love even unto suffering, love even unto death – that his people might live. In doing this, later he will bring forth an awakening of hope in his people, create in their hearts new purpose and new resolve, instill a new courage. And through his death, in them and with them, new life will come for them.

This story, in fact, draws its meaning from the life, death and victory of Jesus. “God’s power in human weakness: that weakness of God which is stronger than all the might of man.” Puttnam -- from whom I heard this – saw in Ninoy Aquino’s suffering, death and ultimate triumph an amazing re-living of “the Christ paradigm.” Puttnam wanted to contrast this with the Marcos story and its reverse dynamic: from power to perdition.
Those of you who are familiar with the Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola will see here the meditation on the Two Standards, and the climactic “Third Way of Being Humble” given in more Pauline terms. A witness perhaps that Ignatius’ point is faithfully that of the Gospel itself. -- Theologians see in this story-line the very heart of the redemptive labor of Jesus -- the “law of the Cross”, lived out in the lives of Jesus’ followers: the baseline of the Christian mystery itself.

This thesis, if you will, of how in the Christian scheme-of-things, a person is shaped to be God’s instrument for his purposes, is not something one reads into the Ninoy/Cory story through some pious hermeneutic. There are at least two addresses of Mrs. Aquino which take this thesis up as their main focus, the first, “Ninoy’s Friend,” which in some ways is my favorite President Cory speech, given at Sto Domingo church on 21 August 1988, and the second, perhaps the most “theological” of her major talks, “Remembering Ninoy: our Freedom founded on his sacrifice,” given also at Santo Domingo Church, in 1993 on the tenth anniversary of Ninoy’s death, when she was no longer President.

Mrs. Aquino – following some of Ninoy’s own texts - takes the pauline perspective, even the pauline language, to argue that Ninoy’s sacrifice was an exercise of “power-in-weakness”, of God’s power operative within human weakness, within non-violent struggle, -- a power which is, she said, “the greatest power on the face of the earth.”

Principle without power has moved mankind further in four years – from EDSA to the Soviet coup – than power of any other kind had advanced the interests of mankind in 4,000 years, making democracy the only acceptable form of political organization, and people power the most promising form of action in the political field.

And it is not surprising, when you consider where it all started. For principle without power hung on a cross on a hill in Jerusalem, but in dying gave life to the dead and rising destroyed the dominion of darkness.

God chose the simple to confound the wise, the weak to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world, the despised things – the things that are not – to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before him . . . His power is made perfect in weakness. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

These are quotations from Mrs. Aquino, but Ninoy says the same thing more than once. Both of them find this principle a basic conviction.

More on this article here

UK Government extends condolences following the death of President Corazon Aquino

Just read this article regarding's UK's condolonces for our dear president Cory Aquino.

Saturday, August 01, 2009 09:56:22 AM

"Following the news of Corazon Aquino's death Foreign Office Minister of State Ivan Lewis MP has extended the British Government's condolences to her family. Former Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown, who worked closely with Mrs Aquino during her election campaign added: "I received the news of Corazon Aquino's death with great sadness.

As an advisor in her campaign against President Marcos, the privilege of working with Cory and watching her was one of my life's greatest lessons in courage, leadership, the art of politics and humanity. The way she and all her family made such friends of me as an outsider is something I have always treasured."

British Ambassador Peter Beckingham added: "I had the honour and pleasure of meeting former President Aquino on several occasions, when we were able to discuss her visits to London and her interests in members of the Filipino community in Britain, especially those serving in the Church. Those discussions left me with an overwhelming sense of her grace, charisma and compassion. The Philippines has lost a wonderful leader who is widely admired in Britain for her courage and inspiration."

More details here

Cory Aquino: Firsts

found this interesting article from abs:

"Come to the ISO building now. She's here, and we've got to interview her."

It was late in the afternoon, five years ago. The sun was on full-dial. In between involuntarily passing out from exhaustion of having to endlessly endure college requirements from professors who enjoyed seeing Sophomores suffering from synaptic relapses from over-studying, I received that phone call.

"Who's this? Who's there now?," I'd mumble, checking the clock resting on top of a pile of books I borrowed from the library but forgot to return.

"Cory is here. We need reporters to interview her for a story. I've got a couple of them here but we need more."

It was Jamie Santos, the Associate Editor of the college newspaper I worked for.

"Cory who?"

"Cory Aquino," she said, her voice echoing disappointment with the my lack of first-name-only recognition. "Former President? Icon of democracy? Gave hope to millions of Filipinos suffering under the iron first of that dictator Marcos?"

"Oh, yeah. The lady who wears yellow a lot."

Twenty minutes later, armed with a tape recorder I borrowed, I arrived at the ISO building. I was the design editor for the newspaper so I wasn't sure what I was doing there. I wasn't a reporter. I wasn't even sure who Cory was. But the boss said I had to be there. Little did I know that it would be my first interview and would be the start of what-would-be a career in journalism.

The room was silent, with only the humming of low-hanging ceiling fans providing a soundtrack. Sitting quietly on a chair, in the middle of a group of entranced college journalists, wearing (to my surprise) an orange ensemble, she offered me a seat next to her.

"Shall we begin?"

It was Cory Aquino. Growing up in the United States, I'd hear about Cory from my parents, aunts, uncles -- stories I was too young to remember, stories not old enough to appreciate or understand at that point. I'd catch a glimpse of her in US history books -- about a line or two mentioning a reluctant housewife who was chosen by her people to lead them against a regime. I had a sense that she was important to the Filipino people, which in turn, should make her important to me. But that connection to Cory never manifested itself back then. She was merely a character to a story, a minute detail I had to remember for a history exam.

But on that unceremonious afternoon, sitting in front of her, I wondered who Cory really was, and why she was important. Important enough for my fellow college journalists in that room to be dazed in admiration, shaken up with feelings of unworthiness and luck, as if having tea with the Queen. Who is Cory?

That answer I'd have to wait for until after that interview, until after graduation, and not until I started working as a reporter with the rest of the grown-ups. Not until two weeks ago, when I was given assignments in New York and Boston and began unraveling Cory's life in the United Stated that I'd get a chance to answer that question. But heaps of history books later, coupled with hours of stories and anecdotes from her closest friends, I realized that I've amassed more knowledge of Cory 101, but ultimately, will never really know her.

More importantly though, I've realized why Cory was, and should be, important to the Filipino and to me -- Cory was first.

Oftentimes, you'd hear people casually say in conversations that you never forget your first time. It's true. History will serve the Filipino so that they may never forget their first Female president. The generation before us will have their memories, and will never forget the first time a housewife challenged a dictator, stood on a precipice, declaring freedom to a people that has long thirsted for it. And as a journalist, I certainly won't forget my first interview and that it was with "that lady who wears yellow a lot".

Cory Aquino was first. But now, at a time in our nation's history where uncertainty and indecision continue to fester, Cory should not be remembered as such. Rather, she should be remembered as the one who paved the way, and gave the rest of us an opportunity so that we can be the second.

To let her be an inspiration, and for us to follow her example that above all, our people and our nation should be the firsts.

Former Senator Ninoy Aquino once said that "the Filipino is worth dying for." Little did he know that his wife would prove him wrong. If anything, Cory's exemplary life reveals that the Filipino is worth living for.

(For more news on Cory, log on to: http://coryaquino.abs-cbnnews.com)

FONDLY REMEMBERED Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest

Just came across this Inquirer article that deeply highlights Cory's contribution to our nation:

MANILA, Philippines—One by one, friends, family members, employees of former President Corazon Aquino paid tribute to her through anecdotes, painting a picture of a woman who eschewed the trappings and temptations of her office and who was steadfast in her faith and service to the people.

During the three-hour necrological service at Manila Cathedral Tuesday, 19 people gave their heartfelt tributes, most of them ending up sobbing along with the audience.

Ms Aquino’s four daughters especially the youngest, Kris, openly cried upon hearing the tributes. Her only son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was able to hold back from sobbing.

The senator spoke last, summarizing previous speakers’ testimonials.

He recounted how his mother insisted on going to Fort Bonifacio during the Marines standoff in February 2006, at the height of the protests against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over allegations that she cheated during the 2004 elections.

The senator said he was opposed to the idea of his mother joining the chaos in Fort Bonifacio, where tanks and heavily armed soldiers were on standby.

But his mother won in the end. Noynoy recalled her saying: “It is my obligation to go there. It is my obligation to prevent bloodshed.”

When he and the former President arrived near the gates of the military camp, they found the people agitated.

“When she arrived, she took out her rosary and started praying. The people calmed down,” the senator said.

He told the crowd at the cathedral that he chose this story because it encapsulated everything about his mother.

“This was the loving Cory, who’s ready to do what is right despite the consequences and who has full faith in God. She believed in doing whatever we can and letting God do the rest,” Noynoy said in Filipino.

Swipe at political mess

The senator took a swipe at the political situation, saying there seemed to be no change in the country. The former President had been a vocal critic of Ms Arroyo.

“When I see the state this country is in—there are people who follow the law, who strive to study to be better, who are true to their fellowmen and are still asking ‘Why are we still in need?’ It hurts,” Noynoy said.

“There are those who fought before us. But we are still here, fighting,” he added.

There’s hope

On behalf of his family, Noynoy thanked the people who gathered in the streets to bid her mother farewell when her casket was transferred on Monday to the cathedral from the La Salle Green Hills stadium in Mandaluyong City.

He apologized to those who were waiting for hours to get a glimpse of the former President’s remains.

The senator said he was struck by how children, who did not see the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution and her mother’s presidency, expressed gratitude to his late mother.

“These were elementary children. They said ‘Thank You, Tita Cory,’” he said. This is proof that there is still “hope” for the country, according to Aquino’s only son.

Fought good fight

At the end of his speech, the senator said of his mother: “I really truly believed without an iota of doubt that you fought the good fight, finished the course, and undoubtedly kept the faith.”

Former employees and friends of the late President said they were struck by her humility and simplicity, even while she was the leader of the country.

Exceptional leader

Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, who was appointed by Aquino to head the Government Service Insurance System and other government corporations, said Aquino never asked special treatment for her or for her family.

“I realized I was serving an exceptional leader,” he said.

Aquino’s brother, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, said his sister forbade her siblings to build businesses or try to recover their wealth seized by the Marcoses while she was President.

Aquino was also adamantly opposed to the idea that she run for another term in 1992, Cojuangco said. When he offered this idea to her, his sister replied: “My role is to restore freedom and democracy. If I turn over it to my successor, then I’ll be playing that role.”

Anger extinguished

Makati Rep. Teddy Boy Locsin, who served as Aquino’s speechwriter, said working for Aquino extinguished his anger and desire for revenge.

When she told him over the phone that she took up Marcos’ challenge for a snap presidential election, Locsin said he realized then that Aquino “was the answer to my prayers.”

Working for the country’s first woman leader brought out the best in him, Locsin said. When he was at her deathbed, he felt like a “knight at the bedside of a dying sovereign.”

“I know I was lucky to have served a woman who never did wrong ... If you bring me before her again, I’ll be happy,” he said.

From ardent critic to fan

Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros said he was not a fan of Aquino—at first. “I wasn’t an ardent fan of Cory. I was an ardent critic of Cory,” he said.

Subsequent encounters with Aquino—which started from a phone call from her expressing her thanks for an article he wrote—changed De Quiros’ mind. He also recounted how the former President visited his mother’s wake and was struck by her loquacious nature and grace.

In Aquino, De Quiros said he remembered the biblical phrase: “The exalted shall be humbled and the humbled exalted.

“In life and in death, Cory has been—pardon my French—one damn good person,” De Quiros said.

Businessman Ramon del Rosario Jr. said the business community was revitalized when Aquino rose to power in 1986.

He noted that one of Aquino’s legacies was her honesty and transparency in governance—traits that the business community should follow.

“There is no greater tribute to her than abiding by her values of integrity, courage, transparency, morality and love of country,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario, who was part of the Philippine contingent who went to the United States just a few months after Aquino was inaugurated, recalled the euphoria of the event. “I would say simply, she made us proud of being Filipino again,” he said.

Best friend forever

Aquino’s sister-in-law, Ma. Aurora Lichauco, made the audience chuckle when she said that she considered Aquino her “BFF—best friend forever.”

“I look forward to seeing you again, although I hope not too soon,” she said.

Although the two women were different in temperament—Lichauco said she was outgoing while Aquino was “stoic”—they shared secrets, happiness and difficulties.

In her eulogy, Lichauco recounted how she and Aquino would visit Ninoy at the stockade and share the humiliation of long waits and body searches.

But sometimes, the two of them would just laugh at the “absurdity” of it all, Lichauco said.

Designer Paul Cabral, who was introduced to Aquino by daughter Kris in 2003, said the former President was so down to earth that when she wanted him to make a dress for her, she went to see him.

“There is warmth and kindness in her. What people say about her is true,” he said.

Paintings

The former President gave him gifts for birthdays and special occasions, even giving him one of her paintings.

“While you became a loyal patron, I became an admirer,” Cabral said.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said he lost a confidante in Aquino. He said he would miss her telling him that he was “one of [her] favorite mayors.” Aquino appointed Binay acting mayor of Makati after Edsa I.

Binay said he was indebted and grateful to Aquino when she expressed support for him when he was suspended by the Sandiganbayan in May 2007.

More on this in inquirer http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090805-218793/Entire-nation-brings-Aquino-to-final-rest

Massive turnout for Aquino funeral in Manila

Cory's magic up to the very end... read on this article:

By HRVOJE HRANJSKI

Associated Press Writer

August 03, 2009

MANILA, Philippines -- Masses of mourners chanted the name of former President Corazon Aquino as her body was escorted through the Philippine capital's rain-soaked streets Monday.

The five-hour funeral procession, slowed by mobs of followers, traced some of the same streets where hundreds of thousands of protesters - inspired by the woman in a yellow dress - faced down army tanks 23 years ago and ousted a dictator.

On Monday, tens of thousands left their offices, schools and homes and converged on streets and overpasses, clutching clumps of yellow balloons, waving yellow ribbons and showering confetti on Aquino's flag-draped casket, carried on a flatbed truck bedecked with flowers. Yellow was the symbol of the nonviolent mass "people power" uprising that forced Ferdinand Marcos from power in 1986.

As rays of sunshine broke through the clouds, a man on a bicycle released four doves. Manila's notorious traffic came to a standstill as drivers rolled down windows and put out their hands flashing Aquino's trademark "L" sign for "laban," or "fight" in Filipino, her slogan in the campaign that toppled Marcos' 20-year repressive rule.

Many of the mourners - nuns, priests, students, wealthy residents and their uniformed maids - wore yellow, Aquino's favored color. Huge banners displayed "Thank You Corazon Aquino" and "You're Not Alone" - an Aquino slogan from the 1986 revolt.

Aquino died early Saturday at a Manila hospital after a yearlong battle with colon cancer. She was 76.

From a school stadium where the casket had been open for public viewing since her death Saturday, the motorcade passed by a "people power" shrine on EDSA highway, where hundreds of thousands of her supporters blocked Marcos' tanks in 1986.

Along Ayala Avenue, where Aquino led many pro-democracy marches, employees from high rises rained yellow confetti on the crowds below - reminiscent of the anti-Marcos protests that Aquino led.

"I have not seen a crowd like this," said Franklin Drilon, Aquino's former Cabinet aide. "The people here are very enthusiastic, people in sandals, people in coat and tie, young and old with babies, they're coming out waving."

Instead of the usual stock figures, the Philippine Stock Exchange's streetside neon screen flashed Aquino's favorite nickname with her portrait and a message: "Goodbye Cory and Thank You So Much Cory."

The funeral convoy briefly stopped at a monument to Aquino's assassinated husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

"I'm looking out the window now, and I see women crying," said daughter Kris Aquino. "I really just appreciate the love. Everybody's saying thank you to us for sharing my mom."

After driving across the congested capital for nearly five hours, Aquino's funeral convoy reached the Manila Cathedral, where her children, former Cabinet members and fellow pro-democracy activists gathered for a Mass.

Her body will lie in state for public viewing until Wednesday's funeral

read on here:

Palace declares week of mourning on passing of Cory

Philippine government pays respect to the passing of our ex president Cory Aquino... Here's a related article I got from GMA 7 news

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, still in the United States for a working visit, on Saturday expressed her condolences over the demise of democracy icon, former President Corazon Aquino.

Mrs. Arroyo’s message was relayed to radio dzBB by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is also accompanying the President in her US trip.

"President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo joins the rest of the nation in mourning the demise of former president Cory Aquino and joins the entire country in expressing our most sincere condolences to the Aquino family over this development," Remonde said in the interview.

Remonde said the Palace will be declaring a week of mourning because of Mrs. Aquino's death. The Palace official also said that Mrs. Arroyo will be delivering a "state of funeral honors" for the late president.

"[We are doing this] to pay respect to the hero of People Power and the late democracy icon," Remonde said.

More on this here

Former Philippines President Corazon Aquino dies

another news on Cory's death from Washington

By William Branigin, Washington Post

Posted: 07/31/2009 08:30:02 PM PDT

Updated: 07/31/2009 09:18:05 PM PDT

WASHINGTON — Corazon Aquino, the unassuming widow whose "people power" revolution toppled a dictator, restored Philippine democracy and inspired millions of people around the world, died this morning after a battle with colon cancer, her family announced. She was 76.

Widely known as "Cory," the slight, bespectacled daughter of a wealthy landowning family served as president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992, the first woman to hold that position.

She was widowed in 1983 when her husband, political opposition leader Benigno S. Aquino Jr., was assassinated upon his return from exile to lead a pro-democracy movement against Ferdinand Marcos, the authoritarian president. It was a popular revolt against Marcos following a disputed election that later enabled Corazon Aquino to assume power.

In her six tumultuous years in office in the fractious, strife-torn, disaster-prone archipelago, Aquino resisted seven coup attempts or military revolts, battled a persistent communist insurgency and grappled with the effects of typhoons, floods, droughts, a major earthquake and a devastating volcanic eruption. Her tribulations earned her the nickname "Calamity Cory."

As she dealt with those challenges, she took pride in restoring democratic institutions that had been gutted under Marcos' 20-year-rule. And she presided over a series of relatively free elections, the dismantling of monopolies and an initial spurt of economic growth.

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