I was walking down the street. It was a Saturday morning. The sky is dark and the sun hasn’t risen. The air was cool on my skin. Ooohh… Morning chills, I thought. It was the first time I appreciated the nature. It is so green and very clean. Well, at least in our neighbourhood. It was sudden that something popped out in my mind. What was it like to live in the EDSA Revolution era? When thousands of people gathered in one place to fight for their rights? How would it be like to live in such environment?
I don’t know if I my eyes just fooled me or what but I think I saw Cory. Corazon Aquino, yes. I blinked my eyes a few times for me to be sure. It is Cory, President Cory. She was jogging me, just the opposite direction. What should I do?, I asked myself. Should I say ‘Hi!’ or what?, I hesitated for about a moment and then, settled my mind and walked my way.
Me: Hello po!
PCCA: Oh! Hello to you to!
Me: Uhm… How are you here po? I thought that you’re in Tarlac and resting? (I thought that maybe, she doesn’t know that she had died five years ago)
PCCA: I just happened to have rest house here in Cavite.
Me: Oh? I see.
We continued our morning jog and eventually arrived at a nearby coffee shop. There we rested and I asked what I really want to know.
Me: Uhm.. President Aquino… W –
PCCA: Please, don’t call me that. Call me Tita Cory.
Me: But I think –
PCCA: No buts. What are going to ask me a while ago, by the way?
Me: Aah.. that. Since I wasn’t born yet in the EDSA Revolution, I was thinking of asking you a few things.
PCCA: Please go ahead.
Me: Well then.. Why did you gather all those people and fought? You could have kept quiet at that time.
PCCA: I really am a democratic person. But after the assassination of my husband and the continuous conflicts around the country, I tried to take action. And what I did was worth fighting for because thousands of people fought alongside with me.
Me: So that’s why. Was running for the presidency part of that advocacy?
PCCA: Well, that was a bit not in plan. That was because of the urge I got from all the people saying that in my husband’s stead, I should go and bring democracy throughout the country.
Me: So it was a feeling that you felt from the mass people. You did a very good job in managing the country anyway, as others said.
PCCA: Thank you very much for that compliment.
Me: I should be the one thanking you. If not with you, I – no we all – are still experiencing Martial Law. This country will still be suffering the fright of the 1970’s to early 80’s.
PCCA: I wouldn’t have had the courage to fight without the take action.
Me: Thank you for accepting my invitation here and for answering my questions.
PCCA: It’s the least I could do as an old woman.
Me: You’re no old woman and still beautiful as ever.
PCCA: Such a flatterer.
I heard a loud call coming from the outside calling my name.
??: Jen!!!!!!!!!!
Me: Well, Tita. I think that is my cue. Maybe I should see you around while you’re still here.
PCCA: See you around, too.
I bid my farewells and walked away. I thought to myself, Whew! That was an experience of once in a lifetime. I would remember this day for the rest of my life.
(So this is the historical figure I really would like to meet but unfortunately can’t. If I were to meet her in real life, when she was still alive, I would really want a normal chitchat with her. Like a very close relative or friend. I picked for her remarkable deeds in the Philippine history.)
