Paalam, Tita Cory (UPDATED)
So it is that Pres. Cory Aquino has quietly passed on, the final four weeks of her battle with cancer being spent at the Makati Medical Center.
Earlier last week errant text messages had gone around wrongly reporting that she had died with the British Embassy even releasing a notice of condolences prematurely.
This past week the former president was under sustained pain management even as her colon cancer was learned to have spread to her other organs.
Her condition took a turn for the worse three night ago with her blood pressure fluctuating, according to the Aquino family, with her children by her bedside.
But now that Tita Cory is indeed gone may her indomitable courage live on as Filipinos continue to face threats to the democratic way of like she helped rebuild after People Power ousted the Marcos dictatorship.
Cory Aquino has left us with the ‘L” sign as a constant reminder that our freedoms can only stay with us if we fight for them.
We grieve, but take comfort that Tita Cory’s physical sufferings have now ended and that she has rejoined her martyred husband Ninoy.
May she have the eternal rest that she so richly deserves.
Paalam po Tita Cory.
Mananatili kang buhay sa puso at alaala ng sambayanang Pilipino, paalam.
POSTSCRIPT
Pres. Arroyo has just issued a statement announcing a 10-period of national mourning for Tita Cory, calling her death the “loss of a national treasure.”
Here’s how the mainstream media here and abroad are reporting Tita Cory’s passing:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090801-218235/Cory-Aquino-dies
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/31/09/people-power-icon-cory-aquino-dies-79
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8179357.stm
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/01/world/asia/01aquino.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/31/AR2009073103092.html?wprss=rss_world
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/213775/goodbye-cory
Everybody across the globe who was touched by the Former President Cory Aquino’s life and courage is saddened and will grieve for the loss of an admirable lady.
A part of every Filipino died with her. Democracy is Tita Cory Aquino. She has shown what people should believe in and what people should expect from a leader.
Your continuous fight for our country until your very last breath will be in our hearts. You will always be honored and remembered.
Yes, Lui.
Am still wiping my tears over this loss.
While we all knew she was at end-stage cancer, we all had hoped our prayers would stave off the inevitable.
But the Good Lord in his infinite wisdom, has called Tita Cory to His side so we should also be happy with the knowledge that she has gone to a better place, her nich in Philippine history, and in our hearts, secure.