Cory was the first non-politician in the Philippines to have attained the highest post of the land. She was also the first woman president and great heavens for media practitioners, we were able to resume writing freely under her administration.
She was able to pass many significant laws for women, foremost of which was the Family code which recognizes now the children born out of as equal to those under wedlock, among other rights. Another was the declaration of March 8 as a holiday as we celebrate International Women's Day with women from all over the globe.
Her administration inspired a lot of women to project themes tackling women's roles in the family, the community and the larger society. I for one put up the show, "Halina, Kabaro" a magazine format for Channel 4 tv which contained segments like news about Cory as president, women's organizations, individual women achievers, as well as issues of the day that needed to be discussed way back in 1986, after her ascension to power.
Unfortunately, in the country at that time, many in the officialdom and those divested of powers in the past regime, could not accept a woman president and so carried out extra-judicial actvities which weakened the economic status of her administration. Nonetheless, she was able to hold on to power and finish her term, ensuring the peaceful transition to the next presidency.
We remember her as the humble matriarch who ruled the country with heart and mind, and more with heart, shall we say. We hope and pray that her passing would inspire other women to continue her legacy of being committed to the betterment of our countryfolks and bring back the dignity of every Filipino individual.
May she find peace and love in the next life.
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