August 05, 2009...an unforgettable EXPERIENCE

(VIDEO FILE)

This was the day I could not forget...the day when I made myself a part of one historic event in the Philippines...the funeral of the former President CORY C. AQUINO. I braved both the heat of the sun and heavy rains during the funeral procession that will bring TITA CORY to her final resting place. I went early to the Cathedral to join the final mass in honor of our beloved President Cory. It was so beautiful service accorded only to bishops and cardinals but was given for the first time to a laity. The service was attended by top government officials, former cabinet secretaries during her administration and other foreign diplomatic officials. The eulogy of her youngest daughter, Kris Aquino, moved everyone in tears. It was so emotional that one can feel the love between a mother and her children...the love of the mother of Democracy and her people.

After the mass, a military honor was accorded to the former President. Then the funeral procession that lasted for almost nine (9) hours. Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos joined the march. I could see a sea of humanity lined-up in all the streets we passed by. This was the day when young and old...boys and girls...rich and poor joined hands to show our love for CORY AQUINO. It was the day when everybody felt how good to be a FILIPINO. One shining moment that even in her death...she can unite the Filipino people and make them worth living and dying for.

As we braved the streets with heavy rains (as in I was totally showering in the midst of heavy rains), I never thought of getting sick...I never lost my energy even I did not have any food with me. I just had a bottle of water. The atmosphere was very highly spirited...everyone was chanting COREE...COREE...COREE with their hands flashing "L" sign meaning "LABAN"(fight). Many were dancing and singing in the streets. It was a manifestation of love for the departed leader of our country. It was also a celebration of the life of CORY AQUINO. How she touched the lives of millions of Filipino she led dearly and sincerely.

We all asked ourselves what is CORY's magic? What was in her that can move all of us. And we find answer from the simplicity of her life...from the goodness of her heart...and from the love she shared with her people. She will be best remembered for her humility...and honesty to serve the country she and her husband NINOY dearly loved. The late President CORY was a symbol of true greatness that each of us should also try to find from within us.

As she bid goodbye...she left us a legacy of how life is lived and how loved is shared. In life CORY taught me the value of decency... and in death...she has made me understand the true meaning of DIGNITY.