Two Women in Philippine Politics

Cory Aquino, symbol of peace, a pillar of the EDSA revolution, has passed away yesterday. She had colon cancer. The nation is in mourning.

Cory became president of the Philippines in 1986 after the ouster of President Ferdinand Marcos in a bloodless revolution. From being a simple, shy and retiring housewife, she went out of her shell after the assasination of her husband, Ninoy Aquino, to wage a seemingly losing battle with the Marcoses. One person, a woman at that, dared to stand up against the Marcoses in protest of an unjust death. This gave people the courage to also stand up and speak out against the Marcoses. One pull of a trigger lead to a revolution  by the people against a perceived tyrant.

Whatever people may say about her, that her administration was inefficient and riddled with businessmen plundering the economy, at least she was what most politicians were not. Honest.

After her term, she remained visible in the political arena and was considered as the nation’s conscience.

With Cory’s death, it is as if a part of the nation died too.  

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On a lighter note, Jamby “Kuryente Queen” Madrigal has decided to throw her hat in the presidential race. I swear, this is going to be a hilarious election.