Cory Aquino, 11th President of the Philippines,dead at 76

The country goes in mourning today with the announcement of the death of former President Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino, the 11th President of the Philippines and symbol of the historic EDSA People Power Revolt. She was 76.

The official announcement was made by Cory’s only son, Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino Jr. who said his mother died of cardiorespiratory arrest at the Makati Medical Center in the early hours of Aug. 1 (exactly 3:18 a.m.) She had been suffering from colon cancer for six months.

“She would have wanted us to thank each and everyone of you for all your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country,” he said.

Tita Cory, who was married to the martyred former Sen. Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, is survived by their five children Maria Elena A. Cruz, Aurora Corazon A. Abellada, Noynoy, Victoria Eliza A. Dee, and actress-television host Kris (Kristina Bernadette) Aquino, married to basketball player James Yap.

There’s no denying the fact that an old era passes with her death. I was in my teens when People Power at EDSA occurred and Cory was its victorious symbol, changing the reins of the country from autocracy to a complete democracy. Her presidency was far from easy as it was punctuated by numerous coup attempts, the Mendiola revolt, the 1990 killer quake, the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, the Dona Paz sinking among others. Yet, she leaves behind a precious legacy to the country – something which should give our present-day leaders some thought: “How would you like to be remembered?”