PHILIPPINES: Filipinos mark first anniversary of Corazon Aquino's death

Record ID: 772171

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: Filipinos mark first anniversary of Corazon Aquino's death
  • Date: 2nd July 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) 17-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, RAMI BITONG, SAYING: "She inspired every single Filipino. She has done every positive thing for our country and for that we salute her and we wish her in a better place." (SOUNDBITE) (English ) SOCIAL WORKER, BOBIT SUNTAY, SAYING: "I mean, who's to say what would have happened if Cory didn't die under this condition? But the most important thing is we gave this opportunity now and it's up for us to make the best use of it we won't know we'll have this chance again." STREET VENDOR SELLING CORY T-SHIRTS IMAGE OF CORY ON A FAN FOR SALE IMAGE OF CORY ON COFFEE CUP VENDORS SELLING YELLOW UMBRELLA
  • Embargoed: 17th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Obituaries,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3GA98LB3M4FDKV0F1G4K88URD
  • Story Text: About 2,000 people gathered in Manila on Sunday (August 01) to remember former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino one year after her death.
    The ceremony was attended by family and friends including President Benigno Aquino III, Corazon's only son.
    "It is still quite difficult to grasp how many persons could have such a huge impact on our nation in such a short time. However Cory Aquino was one extraordinary woman who in so many milestones in her life had already know how to make the impossible possible," he said after unveiling a plaque in honor of his mother.
    Corazon Aquino is regarded in the country as a democracy heroine.
    "She inspired every single Filipino. She has done every positive thing for our country and for that we salute her and we wish her in a better place," said 17-year-old high school student, Rami Bitong.
    Benigno Aquino was a congressman and a senator when his mother, who was president from 1986 to 1992, died of colon cancer a year ago. Her death sparked an outpouring of emotions that helped him win the presidential elections in May.
    "I mean, who's to say what would have happened if Cory didn't die under this condition? But the most important thing is we gave this opportunity (Aquino as president) now and it's up for us to make the best use of it we won't know we'll have this chance again," said social worker Bobit Suntay.
    Aquino, who took office on June 30, has pledged to fix a large budget deficit, endemic corruption, widespread poverty and two long-running insurgencies by Maoist and Muslim rebels.
    After two administrations dogged by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, he also faces an enormous weight of public expectation for him to deliver, which could prove to be a burden given his reforms will take time to produce results.
    Cory Aquino is remembered for restoring democracy in the Philippines by leading a bloodless revolution in 1986 better known as 'People Power Revolution' to end the 20-year regime of Ferdinand Marcos.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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