World mourns Corazon Aquino Mynardo Macaraig in Manila August 3, 2009 Tribute...a supporter in Manila show the "L" sign for Laban (fight), which Corazon Aquino often used. Photo: AP THE President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, will cut short a visit to the US to attend the funeral of Corazon Aquino, who overthrew the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Mrs Aquino died of cardiac arrest on Saturday, aged 76, after a battle of more than a year with cancer. Thousands of mourners have paid their respects, lining up to file past her coffin in silent tribute. Mrs Aquino led millions of Filipinos in protests against Marcos in the ‘‘People Power’’ revolt of 1986, before taking over as president. World figures, led by the US President, Barack Obama, paid tribute to Mrs Aquino as ‘‘an inspiration’’. Dr Arroyo has declared 10 days of mourning for the woman she described as a ‘‘national treasure’’. Mrs Aquino was to be buried on Wednesday after a family-led ceremony; she had asked not to be given a state funeral, the presidential palace said. Schools across the country are to close for the day. She will be laid to rest beside her husband, Benigno ‘‘Ninoy’’ Aquino, who was assassinated in 1983 after he flew back to the Philippines from US exile for a meeting with Marcos. Thousands of people queued yesterday to see Mrs Aquino lying in state at a Catholic school in Manila, many of them wearing yellow clothing or the yellow ribbons that became the symbol of her popular revolt. Her coffin, draped in the national colours, accompanied by a military honour guard, arrived in a solemn ceremony on Saturday. Weeping family members and close friends showered the coffin with yellow confetti. In Manila’s Makati financial district, huge posters of Mrs Aquino went up, while neighbours left flowers and lit candles outside the family home. Special Masses were held across the country. Tributes came in from around the world for the woman who served as president from 1986 to 1992, during which time she restored democratic institutions and survived several coup attempts by the military. Mr Obama said he was ‘‘deeply saddened’’ by Mrs Aquino’s death, adding that ‘‘her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation’’. The Pope remembered Mrs Aquino as a ‘‘woman of deep and unwavering faith’’, while Imelda Marcos, wife of Ferdinand, said her family joined the nation in mourning and prayer. http://www.smh.com.au/world/world-mourns-corazon-aquino-20090802-e5ui.html
I have always admired strong women. This little lady was anything but afraid. She took on some very powerful forces to help her nation. Hopefuuly someday we too will have a powerful woman with guts as President of our own.
