Salamat, President Cory.

Corazon Cojuangco Aquino
1933-2009

Early this morning (Phils. time), former president "Cory" Aquino passed away. I'm really not sure why this feels like it's affecting me so personally. While I've spent so much time in the Philippines and have always identified myself more as Filipino than as American, I'm not a Filipino citizen and I never have been.

I think what makes me feel so deeply about this is what she stood for - for "People Power," for perseverance, and for respect for humanity. These things are important to me, they're things I try to embody.

I'm not sure if they made a point of mentioning it for mere symbolism, but Boy Abunda stated that they had been praying the rosary when she passed on, and were on the fifth sorrowful mystery, the Crucifixion.

I'm not one to take religion lightly, and I rarely try to preach about anything unless it's in an appropriate venue. I think what this means for the Filipino community in the Philippines and everywhere, however, is that it's time for us all to take up our own crosses, to be relentless in pursuit of what is kind and what is right, and in healing wounds even though we may not be the ones who inflict them.

Wow. I'm actually about to cry typing this - I usually don't get emotional while blogging, it's usually just me being harsh and analytical. It's just sad to think of the loss of someone who is such a figurehead for things I believe so strongly in.