Stories of Her-oism (2): The 'woman dressed in sunshine'

She could have just stayed at home and mourned her husband quietly. But she did not.

She could have just let other more seasoned politicians take up the cudgels for fighting for Philippine democracy. But she did not.

She could have just allowed bigger icons to rally the people towards ejecting the Marcos dictatorship. But she did not.

She could have exacted revenge with impunity on those who hurt her family in the darkest years of Martial Law when she became president. But she did not.

She could have just retired after her presidency and let relinquished any and all responsibilities she has towards caring for the Filipino people. But she did not.


We could just stay at home and mourn our country quietly. But we shouldn't.

We could just let the more seasoned politicians take up the cudgels for sustaining Philippine democracy. But we shouldn't.

We could just let the outspoken critics and militant groups single-handedly eject the country's faux leaders. But we shouldn't.

We could just forget about the Philippines and leave, given its helpless, hopeless state, with its leaders acting with impunity, while its citizens forever mired in poverty. But we shouldn't.


We can and should always choose to pray, to hope, to act and be grateful, as Cory Aquino was grateful, that we are born Filipinos.