Anthony Nachor's Diary

Mrs. President,

I was born while you were in power, and I did not know you that well until I grew up to become an elementary and high school student. You have delivered the Philippines out of shame from a long, harsh dictatorship and brought back democratic rule in a country thirsty for strong-willed leaders like you. You have given us light and joy that we, the Filipinos of today, cherish up to now. Without your slained husband, Ninoy, who fought hard to really defeat Marcos’ brutal regime, we would never see the light at the end of the tunnel, the light of freedom, democracy, and liberty.

Now, as you move away from us back to the hands of God the Father, I just make two wishes for you: to really keep the flame of democracy in the Philippines, and to enlighten every Filipino with your compassion and love that you have given them while you were in power. If it were not for your “pakikipagLABAN” (fighting hard) with the people, we would not have you as the President of our country, hungry for love and thirsty for justice. As the Lord Jesus Christ takes you away into the Kingdom of heaven, with the accompaniment of the heavenly saints, I will pray for your safe return to the Father who has given you a wonderful and magnificent life, something that every Filipino will strive to become. It may be a long hard road for us to attain full democracy, but with your presence, you have given us a new path — a path that we will never repay with anything else but love and support for one another. As the angels gather to give you praise and worship, I want to say Maraming Salamat Po (thank you very much) for being there for us, uplifting a nation from its wounds and on to a path of liberty and justice that we now enjoy. If there was anything else I would say, it will just be… thank you for your happiness, and your life on earth has been well-spent.

On your passing, I will offer this prayer to you:

LORD, as you receive the soul of the Mother of Philippine Democracy, Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino, may You open the gates of heaven for her with joy and happiness, accompanied with your heavenly angels and saints, and let your eternal light shine upon her. Grant her eternal rest, just like Lazarus, blind and paralyzed, and bring her soul back into Your Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. As her soul goes through its final journey, bring her home to You, safe and sound. Let her become our inspiration to become better Filipinos and Christ’s own children, and we, the Filipino people, offer her soul and everything to You. Lord, the giver of life, bless her and keep her from harm, and may she be resurrected again at the end of age, and shower upon her the triumph and glory your son endured and prepared for her. We pray these through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, and in the company of angels and saints, and may her soul endure forever and ever. Amen.

Ma. Corazon “Cory” Aquino, saludo ako sa iyo. Paalam, and we will see each other again. (Mrs. Aquino, I salute you. Farewell…)

- Anthony