Our whole nation is grieving and mourning because of former President Cory Aquino’s passing. I was eating bread and drinking coffee for breakfast when I heard about the news. At first, I didn’t know she already died yesterday, August 1, at 3:18 am. My mom was listening to the radio and I heard about this tribute thing for Tita Cory, as everyone calls her. It was then that I asked my mom if she already died. My mom said yes and she told me that she got teary-eyed upon learning the sad news. I, too, got teary-eyed. :(

I have always admired Tita Cory even before. I remember that I once wished that I was a teenager when the 1986 EDSA Revolution happened. When we discussed this in our History subject during my high school years, I envied those people who were able to witness and to participate in the People Power. I was only 7 months when it happened.

Tita Cory is truly an inspiration to me and to all of us. I can not forget this words she uttered, “I am thankful that God made me a Filipino like you.” Those words are powerful. Some of us hates to be a Filipino. Some of us are ashamed to be a Filipino. But look at her, she died with peace in her heart, and proud as a Filipino despite our economic crisis. I hope those words would mark all the Filipino’s heart.

Part of me wants to be like her. Well, I am not as religious as her but I believe in God. I am not as brave as her. But I would like to fight for the right. She told a broadcaster during her interview that what made her a good leader is that she did the right things to do with all honesty despite her flaws in her leadership skills. I really, really admire her. She touched a lot of lives in her own simple way.

I hope someday, somewhere, I would be able to inspire people just like what she did and still does even if she’s gone. I hope that someday people would also remember me touching their lives. Well, it is not too late to do good and right things.

President Cory, thank you so much. You will truly be missed.