Sixteen days after Cory's death

Sixteen days after Cory’s death—she’s still on the news, on every paper’s headline, and even on the cover of the latest issue of Time Magazine.

Sixteen days—imagine how long that has been. If I was the one who died of Cardio Pulmonary Arrest last August 1 at 3:18 in the morning, I would have been forgotten the day after my burial; I would have even been forgotten the very night of it. But it’s Cory. The saint of democracy as Time Magazine baptized her, an international icon of democracy for the advocates all over the world, a humble and generous boss to her workers, and a responsible citizen to her beloved country. She may be this big for each one of us, but when she gets home; the person who knows who she really is, are just the fortunate few—her family.

I’m not talking about the Cojuancos—the Cojuancos who are more seen on the limelight of fashion, money, assets, and influence. No, I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about the Aquinos—her three daughters and one son, and her grandchildren; the Aquinos who politely kept their silence for the sake of their mother’s and grandmother’s privacy and peace because the family knows that after everything that had happened to Cory, privacy and peace are just the things that their mother could own at long last, the Aquinos who faced the media and the multitude of supporters humbly and welcomed each one with open arms during Cory’s wake because the family knows that it is their duty to continue what example Cory has taught them (and all of us, I believe), which is to be fair, to be humble, to share not only what you have but also what you would still have, and to lend not only a hand but both. Yes, the family knows.

Right after the requiem mass offered for Cory, her youngest daughter read her prepared speech for everyone. I’m not sure how many pages long it was but I’m darn sure it was long. When Kris speaks, she always speaks from the heart which captures every listener’s attention and emotion. From the moment she thanked her siblings up to the words “Maraming salamat, at paalam!” I was crying my heart out. I was trying so hard to hide that I’m crying because my cousin was on that same room where I was watching. I remembered the time I cried while watching All My Life, One More Chance, Monsters Inc., Matilda, A Walk To Remember, and John Q (these are just some, let me tell you). But this is different. This is real, unlike the scripted flow of the plot of the movies from the big screen. What I was watching then was a piece of the Aquinos, especially Kris’ heartbreaking battle with reality. I was text mates with a friend then. She was getting emotional, too. I tried to safeguard the emotions that were triggered by that lady’s speech. I was texting remarks like “Hehe!” or “Haha!” just to balance the conversation and to candidly try to show my friend that I am alright and not affected much of what was shown and heard on television, and end up fooling myself. During that time, the trailer of the movie And I Love You So was already released. There was a line there that Bea Alonzo said, “Nakapagpalibing na ako ng asawa.” I thought to myself: wait that applies to me too, only not a husband, but rather a father and a brother. I told this to my friend as a joke, and then later realized that that was really what appears to be in reality. I cried. I thought of my father, I thought of my brother. I missed them much, and then I cried even harder.

During her four hour necrological services, the family that she had left for the afterlife chose some of her closest friends to speak of her legacy while she was still with us. An in-law, a priest, a nun, a critique of hers during her regime turned friend, a son, co-politicians, and many others. I may not remember every detail they sorted out of how they knew of Cory, but I could describe to you how much of a big hearted person this former president was based from the out-pouring of love and support that even I, just from watching the coverage on my television set here at home, have felt. I could, but I won’t. No need, right? I’m sure you have felt it, too.

A lot of politicians went to the LSGH gym and Manila Cathedral to pay their last respect to our late former president—from the controversials, to the humbles; from the liars, to the outrights; from the family’s real close friends, to that dwarf. Yes! She went to Manila Cathedral straight from her US trip. Which by the way, has a controversial issue now of her along with her trusted disciples spending Php.9M in a five-star restaurant in NYC. But, no big! She called a ten-day national mourning whatever as respect for a former president’s death. See, she breathes reverence for the late president. Yeah, right! While the whole nation was mourning not just because of a democratic hero’s death but also for oppression, hunger, and unemployment; there they are, toasting their whine glasses, eating lobster, and practically living large. Way to go, Mrs. President! Hope you run for re-election. I know you will win landsliiide!!! And oh, your con-ass?! Don’t worry about it. Push it to the supremes and surely no one would rally along Mendiola, Rotonda, and EDSA. As a first time voter, please know that I will support you all the way, bitch! And another thing, regarding the 114% ballooning of your wealth—Mrs. President, I am sooo happy for you! May you buy peace of mind and clearness of conscience from the money that your husband proclaims to be coming from your stocks. Speaking of your husband, Humpty Dumpty, may he never leave you for another ugly but taller woman when you have served your purpose for him which is to gain wealth just like when he gains weight. That would really suck big time. I wouldn’t want you to go through all the pain of being left behind for a more complete package, I suppose. Your son slash daughter, Mikee Arroyo, I juuust love him! Especially when he gets cornered in an ambush interview about you and your family’s stinky deeds, he just flashes a blank stare for a few seconds and gives the camera that adorable smile. Oh, a lot of us just love him! And your daughter, Lilo (the stout lead from the movie Lilo & Stitch); ooops! My bad! It’s Luli, alright. Now I remember. She looks perfectly like you. I wonder if she also has your attitude. Her two front teeth are like yours and mine. Cute, eh? Hahaha! You are both sooo pretty. Given a chance, I would want to have your face rather than mine. You really are an epitome of a true and honest leader. And for that may I quote a leader of a hungry nation’s recent SONA: "I never expressed the desire to extend myself beyond my term. Many of those who accuse me of it tried to cling like nails to their posts.... I am accused of misgovernance. Many of those who accuse me of it left me the problem of their misgovernance to solve. And we did it.... I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my office for personal profit. Many of those who accuse me of it have lifestyles and spending habits that make them walking proofs of that crime...."—the person whom I just quoted should be ashamed. I’m sure she was already born when Corazon Aquino lead our country and spoke of her SONA too in front of the citizens of this back-then-not-so-hungry-and-getting-back-up-again nation. She knows very well. She is aware. She should be ashamed! Oh, wait. Was that you whom I just quoted? Crap. And madam, before I forget, your breasts; may they stay as frisky and tight as they are now, for all eternity. I will always pray for your soul that it may not burn too much in hell when you die.

Now, let’s go back to Cory. A funeral cortege lasted for approximately eight hours. Cory’s family didn’t have anything for the whole day except for the sandwiches they prepared beforehand. They were even thinking twice whether they would eat or not because if the supporters were all on the streets with nothing with them to eat, how could they possibly fill their starving stomachs without feeling horrible for those hungry Cory supporters tirelessly waving and signaling the “L” sign Cory was known for doing. When the cortege arrived at the Manila Memorial Cemetery, the high spirit of the crowd became more intense then went silent for a few seconds when Cory’s casket was started to be carried by the military men. I bet a lot of us had our eyes start to fill with tears from the moment Cory’s children blessed her casket with Holy Water and kissed her good bye until the moment when cement was being spread to finally close her up.

Sixteen days after Cory’s death.

Now that Cory has passed away, and Gloria is still the president, I don’t think there’s anything that we have to be frightened about. I just can’t wait for the next ousting of a president, or the next EDSA Revolution. Planning to go for re-election? Con-ass? Prime minister? Go ahead, make my day. Cory may be dead but her magic will live on.