August One
Cory Aquino is dead. When I was young, my parents rallied with her. They were in the front row, near the tanks. They were ready to die for the country.
After Cory, everything went downhill. Growing up, I never had that kind of idealism. Sure, I use my head to make sure I serve the country I was born to the very best I could. I pay taxes, I vote wisely, but given the hopeless situation the place is in, it's easy to slip to nonchalance.
I've planned to write an entry about Cory a few days ago. It's made me sad, seeing the news and watching some clips of her online. I didn't think she'd recover, although a lot of people did. It actually reminded me a lot of the last few days with grandmother: something was in the air, and like a balloon filled with water, it was going to burst any minute.
Jessica Zafra wrote a piece about Cory Aquino, and I'd like to think I'm part of the 'we' she's referred to several times. It's short and poignant:
President Corazon Aquino is dead, and with her dies the last shreds of civility in our public life. She was a good person. Say what you will about her administration, the illusions dashed and opportunities missed, but she was decent to us. She never mocked us, made fun of our hopes, or knowingly insulted our intelligence. Born to privilege, she never acted the spoiled brat. She was a lady, a rarity in this day and age and especially in this political system. She tried. We miss her like a limb. In mourning for Tita Cory we’re really mourning for ourselves and what could’ve been.
After Cory, everything went downhill. Growing up, I never had that kind of idealism. Sure, I use my head to make sure I serve the country I was born to the very best I could. I pay taxes, I vote wisely, but given the hopeless situation the place is in, it's easy to slip to nonchalance.
I've planned to write an entry about Cory a few days ago. It's made me sad, seeing the news and watching some clips of her online. I didn't think she'd recover, although a lot of people did. It actually reminded me a lot of the last few days with grandmother: something was in the air, and like a balloon filled with water, it was going to burst any minute.
Jessica Zafra wrote a piece about Cory Aquino, and I'd like to think I'm part of the 'we' she's referred to several times. It's short and poignant:
President Corazon Aquino is dead, and with her dies the last shreds of civility in our public life. She was a good person. Say what you will about her administration, the illusions dashed and opportunities missed, but she was decent to us. She never mocked us, made fun of our hopes, or knowingly insulted our intelligence. Born to privilege, she never acted the spoiled brat. She was a lady, a rarity in this day and age and especially in this political system. She tried. We miss her like a limb. In mourning for Tita Cory we’re really mourning for ourselves and what could’ve been.