Cory: A True Filipino Leader

I was about to start my duty in M3 Dialysis Center when I learned that Former President Cory Aquino died of cardio-pulmonary arrest at 3:18 AM on August 1, 2009 at Makati Medical Center. I can't help myself but to feel sad as I look back and remember the 1986 People Power Revolution in EDSA. I felt that our country lost not only a political icon but also a mother.

Tita Cory, as everybody would call her is just like anyone of us who love her country very much. That is why when her country asked her to run for office in 1986 against a dictator, she didn't think twice. Though there are a lot of people who questioned her capability, she proved them wrong by becoming the first woman president of the Republic of the Philippines. A widow turned Commander in Chief of our country, Tita Cory didn't only survived nine coup attempts during her term but most importantly brought back democracy to our country. Not bad for a plain housewife who was Time Magazine Woman of the Year in 1987.

As I recall Tita Cory's life, it is possible that one can become a true leader even if you don't have the three G's of politics. Sad to say but most of our political leaders now depends on their Guns, Goons and Gold.

Barely ten months from now, we will have our first automated national election and again we will be choosing our leaders. I think the first G that we should consider for our future leaders should be God fearing like Tita Cory and not leaders feared because of their "Guns". Tita Cory proved to the world that prayer is mightier than guns in EDSA I. The 1986 People Power Revolution became an inspiration to the whole world.

On 2010, we must demand Good Governance from our future leaders and not "Goons' Governance". Each one of us have the responsibility to preserve democracy just like what Tita Cory did, by not allowing goons to over rule justice and human rigths. Like her , a true leader must continnue to fight for the poor and the oppressed.

Generosity is another good trait of a true leader. Being generous is not only sharing your time and money with others but knowing when to step down when your term is about to end. A true leader must be generous enough to give other leaders a chance to exercise democracy. Unfortunately, most of our leaders now doesn't want to give up their post because of "Gold". No to CON-ASS would have been the cry of Tita Cory if she is still alive today.

Tita Cory's death is not the end but a start of a new battle in order to preserve our democracy. Let us continue her legacy by choosing a leader who is God fearing, Generous and who can bring back Good governance on 2010. Let her life and death be an inspiration to all aspiring future leaders of our country.