There comes a moment in history when the masses need a figure to rally behind to bring about great change. She should have the capacity to inspire hope for a better, different future. She should have qualities that the Filipino looks for in a leader - someone full of genuine love for the Filipino people, more concerned about the Filipino's well-being than personal wealth, immune to the addiction to power. The Filipinos found that person in President Cory.
It will be difficult, if not impossible, to have change without somebody to unite behind - somebody who is the exact opposite of the regime one wants to change.
In the end, President Cory may not have changed much. The culture of corruption was too well-entrenched. Many politicians, businessmen and some people in the military, envious of her sudden rise to power, made sure that she fails. And of course, the problem of the Philippines created by the Marcos regime was too overwhelming to solve in a few years. But for one brief shining moment, there was the possibility...
Hopefully, the death of this great President will not be the death of the Filipino's hope. It will be tragic if the Filipinos increasingly become more cynical, indifferent and hopeless through the years. It will be more tragic if those who want to take over the reins of power continue to be made from the same cloth of those they want to change.
President Cory was one of a kind (at least in the Philippines) and the likes of her will be hard to see again, that's why she will be remembered with fondness.
Canada admires Cory for her contributions to human rights and political freedoms, values that Canada strongly shares with the Philippines, including the 300,000 Filipino-Canadians.
“The government and the people of Canada would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the Filipino people. President Aquino will be remembered as a leader who ushered in a new era of freedom in the Philippines, and inspired millions around the world. She was an international icon of democracy, a global model of people power, and a passionate advocate of good governance,” Canadian ambassador Desjardins said.
More President Cory Aquino tributes:
Time Magazine
