When Bawling is Inevitable

Okay, so it’s my turn to step up to the podium and give my confession? All right, I’ll go. Hello. My name is Alexis, and yes, I admit to blubbering in front of the TV on the 5th of August.

How could I not bawl? I was, after all, watching the funeral of the mother of Philippine Democracy, former President Corazon Aquino. Tears couldn’t help falling as soon as I saw that sea of people and yellow all ready to give honour to a woman so close to every Filipinos heart, a woman who brought back freedom to the country. And yes, I did cry during Kris Aquino’s eulogy for her beloved mother.

What was that? You’re asking me what gives me the right to shed all those tears for her when I wasn’t there during the EDSA Revolution. Hey, I wasn’t even born yet when that mighty woman decided to stand her ground against Marcos dictatorship (I was born in 1988, two years after People Power.). Yet, there I was in my room, using up an entire pack of tissues for a president I could only vaguely remember leading the nation. So, why am I crying?

Perhaps, it’s because despite my being born after her brave leadership of EDSA 1, I could feel her heart for this nation. Perhaps, it’s because she’s an icon of Philippine democracy. Above all, perhaps, it’s because she was a Filipina who just wanted the best for her nation and was willing to go to the ends of the earth to achieve it --- much like a lot of us.

So, in honour of her, these are some lessons even I, someone who wasn’t even born yet during the EDSA Revolution, could take from her example.

1. No matter what achievement you have, remember that above all, you are a person.

Always, always act in humility. Remember that before you were the top student in school, or Miss Whatever or even President of the Philippines, you are a person. Never let your achievements go to your head.

Don’t forget to thank the people who put you in your position --- parents, friends, everyone. You wouldn’t be where you are without them, so yes; they deserve their due thanks from you.

And once your term or season is over, pass the title and prestige on very gracefully, as President Cory did to her successor President Fidel Ramos. No attempts to cling on to power. Just give it and wish the next person to occupy your position well. Perhaps, you could even sneak in a halo-halo serving after the hand-over ceremony (which President Aquino reportedly did. It’s yet another sign of her humility to choose to grab a snack at the nearby eatery rather than have a grand party to celebrate the end of her term.).


2. Helping the nation is not the job of just public servants. Everyone should take part.

President Aquino continued to serve the nation even as a private citizen. When she gave up her title in 1992, she did not give up contributing to our country. She still continued to fight for democracy even from her Times Street home.

She supported various organizations that helped the plight of the Filipino people. She was outspoken regarding her love for democracy and against any attempts of quelling it --- even when threatened. Most of all, she led by example, using her principles as a guide to life.

I suppose that shows that yes, everyone can help building the nation --- whether you’re a president, lawyer or magtataho. Yes, that’s even if you’re not a former president. Little things can make a big impact.

If everyone decides to obey traffic rules, the highways of this nation would be a less dangerous place. If everyone decides to pick up the trash and throw it in the correct bin, this nation would be a cleaner, less polluted (and, for that matter, less teeming with disease) place. If everyone decided not to give in to corruption this election, we would elect the proper leader and this would help in making our nation better.

So, I suppose, it’s time to move our private citizen bums to action.


3. The Filipinos are worth it.

Something you love will always be worth it, and I could ascertain that President Cory loved our nation intensely. If she didn’t she would have never decided to relinquish her beloved private life as a housewife and part-time Math teacher for the tumultuous world of politics. But she did, and so she led the nation to its fight to win back democracy.

I hope the same fervor burns in every Filipino’s heart. I’m not saying we should all become president. It’s impossible to let all 85 million of us have a seat at Malacanang. What I’m saying is that I hope every Filipino out there thinks about the nation as worth all their efforts. To simply love the Philippines, but do so unconditionally, truly.


The yellow confetti showered on her has been swept away. The flowers to decorate her funeral cart have wilted. The people who cried for her during her wake are probably back to their routine of work or school. But I do hope one thing from her remains with us forever --- her heart and her passion for this nation. Her example should not be buried along with her body. It should be ablaze in every person she’s mightily battled for --- we, Filipinos.

Thanks, President Corazon Aquino. You are one amazing Filipina and an inspiration.

So, I suppose, I could be excused for all that bawling, aye?