Farewell to a Great Mother, Corazon Cojuanco Aquino

Watching the funeral procession to Manila Memorial Park of our beloved former President, Corazon Cojuanco Aquino, who died August 1, 2009.

Now watching Corina Sanchez Roxas, newscaster. It was the family's special request, through youngest daughter Kris Aquino, to have her anchor the funeral mass proceedings as Tita Cory (as she is fondly remembered by Filipinos) liked Corina very much.

Corina says something poignant: "You can never spend enough time with a mother". And it's true. You only recognize it when the first woman in your life is finally gone forever.

Tita Cory, Godspeed, rest well. I know that you were always in the hearts and minds of our generation--not only as the country's first woman President, but as a woman who fought a regime through the power of prayer and simplicity.

The best-known lie you told yourself and the Filipinos was that you were just a housewife. But you took this to God in prayer as always, so the truth emerged: you are a housewife, but God has made you His handmaid. He called you to serve. You have responded to His call to serve Him by serving as President, in a manner that you knew.

"Let it be done according to Your word". You were reluctant, but obedient. You took your virtues learned from childhood, looked upon your role as President as a vocation, and acted. For a while, I remember people did not like the way you governed and called you, "Aling Cory". But no matter. You didn't give up. You finished your term, you tried to remain clean.

After your term, you continued to serve in other ways: you served your children, set up a foundation to help women and those who needed education by soliciting for scholarships, still appeared in public to oppose any existing power in office who seemed to be twisting the ideals you fought for.

All this, I know only thru the speech of Kris, your youngest and most popular (though sometimes controversial) child. But in that glimpse, I saw truly that your greatest service to God was the one which remained most hidden from the public's eyes. To have served as a mother doing the most ordinary things, sometimes taken for granted. Until now. You had to pass away, in a most painful manner, for many people to recognize even the smallest act of love or service. But that's ok, you never really did these things to be recognized, I am sure. Tita Cory, like any mother, you did this for love of your children. You fought the good fight for love of the Filipino people. You left us a legacy we can be proud of.

The legacy that is, we can show the world that peace can be attained without violence. That the power of prayer is the most powerful when it is done in unity. Change is possible thru prayer, simplicity, and oneness. It is amazing how easily we can forget these in our lifetime. And it took your death for us to remember again, deeply, those years of suffering and ultimately of triumphant transitory change.

Tita Cory, be united now with your beloved Ninoy. Finally, you will be together again with the one and only love of your life. God has heard your offerings of suffering for the Filipino people, and for your children. And in return we are confident that He has rewarded you with heaven.

I pray that it will not go to waste Tita Cory. I will remember your example. I will tell my children that we can be proud to be Filipino. Not by our own efforts, but thru the example of a mother who answered God's call to serve even at the sacrifice of her own comforts, privacy and ultimately, her own life.

Rest well. Godspeed.