Today, seventh day of July, is also the seventh day of the novena offered for former president Corazon Aquino. The Aquino family 19s confirmation of how her situation is getting worse has shaken the nation big time. People are affected though they do not know her personally. As a matter of fact, you can see updates about former president 19s condition on television, read acknowledgments on both broad sheets and tabloids, and hear reports on the radio or even in regular random conversations everywhere.
Why? You may ask. As I see it, it is because of the impact she has made on our nation, on our government, on our faith in God, on our family, and on our selves particularly.
I saw her once in person, and that never happened again. That was during my elementary days, at the height of the Charter Change issue during the Ramos regime. She went to my school, St. Theresa 19s College of Quezon City. And that being a Catholic School, she went there to lead a prayer rally.
The school gave her a warm and grand entrance. We, students, were asked to line up on the grade school grounds. She walked from the driveway to the stage assembled just across the flag pole. As she walked past in front of us, I had the longest goose bumps; that I clearly remember.
As soon as I got home that day, I looked for my parents so I could tell them that I saw the person they introduced to me as a hero. Modern Melchora Aquino as they would regard her as, for me to remember them both clearly for my Sibika subject. I remember them telling me that I was so lucky for seeing her in person, for seeing a live hero for it only happens to fortunate individuals.
Since then, she became my idol. Not because of the manner my parents brought me up for me to idolize her the way they do. But because at my early age, her story, works, and achievements inspired me to be more rational in the things that I do and to make sure that people would benefit from me and from what I do. And so, indeed, I am a fan.
When martial law happened, until her husband, Benigno Aquino Jr. died, up to the moment when she was inaugurated to be the seventh president of the Republic of the Philippines; my father was working abroad and my mother was at home taking good care of my big brother. While everyone was rallying along EDSA, they were busy doing their own thing. Some may think of them as indifferent and apathetic. But for me, they 19re absolutely not. They just had to do it because if they wouldn 19t, no one else would.
Like my parents, I am silent 14silent in the sense that I practically don 19t do anything objective for my nation. All I can do is to post stuffs on my blog exhibiting my opinions and views, join causes in facebook that battles the negativities of this government, read the articles that I come across regarding people 19s political views.
I never go out to the streets and do noise barrages, rallies, or strikes unless my school St. Joseph 19s College of Quezon City would ask for it. I speak my mind out during conversations with friends and family, but not on public unlike the manner of disputes of many. But despite, I am pretty much vigilant just like any other Filipino citizen who cares for our nation. And that is why I joined Boto Mo, Patrol Mo (BMPM). In that way, I am sure that informing the authorities the negligent officials would be much easier and less frustrating because I am positive that my voice would definitely be heard. That is my own little way of saying that I 19ve had enough. Slowly, I am being awakened by the things that are happening around me. Thanks to people like Mrs. Aquino.
Tomorrow, my mother, my aunt, my cousin, and I will attend a Healing Mass for her at Makati. I thought it would be more appropriate if I would wear a yellow-colored shirt. But then, I thought, I don 19t own one. But that doesn 19t define me as a liar when I say I am a fan of hers, right? Well, I claim I am a fan yet I don 19t have a yellow shirt. It 19s no big deal, I think. But I find it funny, though.
My mother, I think, feels for Mrs. Aquino 19s pain above anyone else. Like the former president; my father 14her husband 14passed away 10 years ago. Just imagine how hard it is for someone whose relationship was so perfect to end just like that.
My father had Leukemia. 5 years after they learned of it, he died of cardiac arrest. Though he did not die so sudden like Mr. Aquino, I guess no one could really be prepared for someone 19s death. Just like when Mr. Aquino died, a lot of people where present and mourned for my father 19s death. My relatives on his side went to our house on Christmas day 14most of them, I only saw then.
Maybe, after feeling complete and fulfilled for bringing his family together, my father stopped breathing. As for former senator Benigno Aquino, his death served as wake up call for the Filipino nation. His death signaled the start of a long process in bringing the Filipino nation which we consider a family, together.
A year after, my mother went to the hospital to have her breasts checked. Turns out, she has cancer of the breast. At first, they kept it from my sister and me, but eventually, they had to tell us the truth because of one obvious reason 14we are one family. Families tell. They tell each other what 19s going on with their lives, their problems, or just random things that they want to talk about.
Again, just like in Mrs. Aquino and her family 19s case; they would have to tell us, sooner or later, what 19s going on because in theory, we are one family. And so they did.
Every time I watch the news on television with my mother, tears fill her eyes. I know she can still feel every bit of pain she went through before even though she surpassed the battle of her cancer.
Yes, she is well now. Yet the fear of losing her is still in my system. And again, one can never be prepared for anyone 19s death.
In everything that Mrs. Aquino and my mother went through, the holy rosary is what they keep in their hands. Despite the storms they went and will still go through, praising God is still certain.
Now that Mrs. Cory Aquino 19s condition is worse than before, just like my mother, I know she can live past this. She is brave, strong, and everything in between. Whatever happens, I know that God makes fit decisions for her, for her family, and this nation that she restored, from beginning to end, in benevolence.
Both of them fought hard. As for me, I am so blessed and fortunate to be able to know them both and suck up every detail that is considered necessary for me to strive harder and continue on. Like them, after the martial law and life 19s adversities, I have been fighting this silent war.
I am not a writer; I just love sharing my thoughts. And with the frame of mind that I have now, which attests me to be non-apathetic and non-indifferent, by writing this, I am making this war a not so silent one.
***Late post: 070709; This was intended for a broad sheet.
