Philippines' Icon of Democracy breathe her last, early morning of August 1, 2009. Former President Corazon Aquino's only son, Senator Noynoy Aquino announced to the media outside of Makati Medical Center that their beloved mother passed away at 3:18 am. The widow of former Senator Ninoy Aquino, also an icon of democracy in the Philippines, was well-known for standing steadfast against the iron fist of the then strongman of the Philippines, former President Ferdinand Marcos. A self-proclaimed plain housewife, who took care of her children and tended well to the welfare of her popular husband, ran against the then powerful and dictator of the Republic of the Philippines. She led the people in a bloodless revolt, popularly known as the 'People Power' in Edsa in order to force out of power the violent regime that curtail the freedom and lives of many Filipinos. Her signature 'yellow' colored outfits and 'laban' sign has been very popular during her fight with the regime of the dictator. She with the people and the clerics fought the tanks and guns of the soldiers that back the dictator regime, not with guns and bullets but with flowers, prayers and rosaries. And indeed former President Corazon Aquino triumphed in the end. Her tenure as president though was not easy as she was constantly mired with coup attempts from the military who want to wrest power from her. They thought that the first woman president of the republic and of Asia was weak then. But she proved to them that she was resilient and she has with her the power of her prayers.

Perhaps, early morning of Saturday, August 1, Mrs Aquino breathed her last, without ever seeing her beloved Filipino people totally rising out of the chains of poverty, corruption and oppression from the powerful elite. We the next generation though are hopeful that the Filipino people after twenty five (25) years from having restored democracy, a gift from former President Cory Aquino and her husband Ninoy, could soon rise up and have their heads up as truly 'Filipinos worth dying for'.

The mother of democracy of the Philippines who has fought the mighty hands of steel of dictatorship during the 80's is now fighting for her own life. Corazon Aquino, the widow of Filipino hero Ninoy Aquino, has been reported to have opt out of the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and also taking her chemotherapy and other sorts of medications. She has been battling colon cancer for several years now and has said that the past one and a half year 'bonus' to her life has been a blessing already. She is now joined by her family and closest friends in a private room at the Makati Medical Center. Healing masses were offered by her priest-friends in various churches in Metro Manila. I too am joining the throngs of Filipino praying for her healing. The last time I heard of her was through her message against the charter change through constituent assembly, which is being pushed by the administration allies in the Congress. A message from her was read by her grandson Kiko Dy. She was feeling weak and can not attend the rally at Makati but I guess her spirit was with those who joined the rally against those who want to 'rape' the constitution just to stay in power. We all should join in prayer for her healing. She still has a lot to contribute for our country's democracy. It is still not yet fully restored. After 25 years, there are still those corrupt and dark politicians who curtail our freedom. Only recently there are still threats of no elections because of the backing out of the TIM (Total Information Management) on their partnership with SmartMatic in order to deliver the country's first fully automated polls in the presidential elections in 2010. I just hope that she could live longer to witness a fully freed Philippines, a country that could enjoy the fruits of sacrifices that her husband and other heroes of Filipino Democracy have fought and died for.