Of dreams and means . . . and EDSA

Former US Senator John Kerry referred to the EDSA Revolution as an “event … [that] reminded us all of dreams which can be achieved by peaceful means” in his note to our late former President Cory Aquino.

Although written 25 years ago, the line fittingly reverberates today the message of the EDSA Revolution. This is a good reminder not just to public servants but more importantly, to each and everyone of us who dream, that we must not succumb to selfish and harmful ways.

Earlier in the afternoon, Ayala Foundation EVP Bill Luz shared how things have significantly changed for some and remained the same for others decades after the revolution. He recounted the story of a ten-year old girl whose photo was taken by Pulitzer Price-winning photographer Kim Komenich in a farm in Negros back in '86. He finds her 25 years later in the same farm under similar conditions but already with a number of kids.

Now I ask, what does this say of our dreams and the means we use to reach them?

From how I see it, our triumph in EDSA should have brought us closer to achieving social justice – democracy's fringe benefit. And while I understand that attaining a state of equality is purely utopian, I can't help but ask, how come the rich find themselves richer and the poor even poorer?

There are other ways, you know, like roads that lead to bridges between the rich and the poor, allowing both to mutually grow.

It is my fervent wish that all of us find the way to these roads.

* * *

I made a quick viewing of the "Revolution Revisited" exhibit that's currently on display at the Ayala Museum and couldn't resist viewing the documentaries one more time.

Thank you, Ninoy. Thank you, Cory. And thank you to all of you nameless folks who strove to give me the opportunity to speak my mind freely.

This is the dress worn

by former President Aquino

during her oathtaking. Love it! ♥

The Country Mourns for Cory's Death

From Twitter:

RT @inquirerdotnet Estrada on #Cory: "Today the country has lost a mother. This is a sad day for the Filipino people."--Fe Z (fixes quote)

It is the first of August; a fresh start for a new month.

However, for the Filipino people, it was the end of an era. They were shaken by the news of former President Corazon Aquino's passing at 3:18 am.

While she may be known as a hero's wife -- a woman who perfectly remained calm and a source of hope during her husband Ninoy's struggles under the Marcos dictatorship, Filipinos all over the world will best remember Tita Cory for her own contributions to Philippine democracy and how she has touched lives with her faith. (Click the link to read and listen to Ninoy's poem I Fell In Love with the Same Woman Thrice, which was sung by Jose Mari Chan.)


Joyce recounts her Tita Cory encounter

Six years ago, I was lucky enough to have met the former President when my college org, Kythe, Inc. was granted the People Power People award.

She was exactly how she seemed on TV: unassuming, very motherly and kind... in yellow. Back then, I noted how much she loved Josh, her first grandchild from celebrity daughter Kris Aquino.

"Ay si Josh this. Si Josh that," she'd say.

She left East Avenue Medical Center, where the awarding was held, with a promise to send one of Josh's Little Tykes - if my memory serves me right - to Kythe's center.

More Articles:

• The Death of Corazon Aquino, Saint of People Power
• Corazon Aquino: Woman of the Year