The Ninoy and Cory in Us

I’ve known some outstanding people in my life - people who made things possible in the direst of circumstances, people who showed others how life could be lived fully just by being themselves. I believe that the only way we can be grateful to them is by doing something in our life that will bring greatness to others, too.

They were men of decision. Both twenty, they ran to safety in his hometown in Pangasinan, away from the war-torn city of Manila where they were both studying for a university education. The young lady had her family in far away Cebu in the islands of the Visayas. Soon after, they married and started a family with gun shots all over the archipelago. During the war, he worked with some Americans to secure a food warehouse for the affected citizens and so they could have food at home, too. She played the piano to the folks delight, and they forgot the horrors of war momentarily. There was a time a group of Japanese soldiers listened to her play as they became friendly. After the war they decided to go back to the city. He was the first to do this among his folks, and they thought he was risking too much and would find his family impoverished. But they were determined and believed that things would turn out well. Soon, they were both working as clerks in separate government national offices. Education or at least a college degree was required for promotion, so they decided to go back to school one at a time, while the other worked for the family sustenance. They soon rose up the organizational ladder and became middle management decision-makers. Then the temptations started coming. They had to contend with the emerging favour-for-favour transactions, the use of who-do-you-know inside so you win the bid, the offers for the legal 10% from purchases. They both got tired of bearing with it all, so they decided to avail of the optional retirement package of the government and left at the same time. Both retired, they went into business and bought a farm. You wouldn’t imagine them doing all these with nine children to feed, clothe, and educate. Yet they did it. They had a beautiful life together, sharing nothing and everything. They have served their government well and they meant well. They were a Filipino couple who dreamt of a prosperous life for themselves, their children and their countrymen. One that is happy. One that is noble.

I happen to be fortunate that I am one of their daughters. I thank God for them, the couples like my parents, who trekked the road of life sure of themselves, and in so doing, gave themselves to us. They make the families the country needs.