María Corazón "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino
(January 25, 1933 - August 1, 2009)
After a long battle against colon cancer, former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino passed away at exactly 3:18am today, August 01, 2009, due to Cardio Respiratory Arrest at the Makati Medical Center in Makati City. She died at the age of 76.
Still shocked at the news, I can hardly gather the right words to describe the passing of the lady president whom almost all Filipinos and people in the world loved. Her death, though have long been feared to come amidst her treatment, caught the public by surprise after news last night that her health was getting better.
Born María Corazón Cojuangco, Cory married Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, who eventually became a senator. Ninoy was then held captive by the Philippine Government as a prisoner under the military government of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who declared Martial Law.
Ninoy and his family took refuge in the US. When he came back to the country, he was assassinated. The assassination sparked the historic 1986 People Power Revolution, that eventually resulted in a snap election. Cory run against Marcos. The election was suspiciously won by the latter. Unhappy with the results, the public and government officials started the first People Power Revolution in Asia. Marcos fled, marking the Filipinos and Aquino's becoming the first lady president of the Republic of the Philippines as well as in Asia.
Cory was known worldwide as a promoter of peace. She is globally recognized as an icon, especially for women, as a model of strength and will. In 1986, Cory Aquino was featured in TIME's magazine as the Woman of the Year.
From then on, Mrs. Aquino was continuously admired and she continuously inspired a lot. In March 24, 2008, she was diagnosed of a colon cancer and underwent series of therapies and operations. People from the Philippines and government of different countries around the world send in their moral support for the quick recovery of Cory. Unfortunately, after her long battle, she finally rested her tired body and soul today at the Makati Medical Center.
For the yellow-clothed fighter, the once president of the Philippines, history books has your name written. You will forever be missed and remembered.
