Flags, Banners and Yellow Ribbons for a Wonderful Lady

Our supposed to be midterm examination in Panitikan ng Pilipinas was canceled last Monday to give way to the arrival of the remains of Pres. Corazon Aquino. Holding our yellow flags and banners acknowledging her, we lined up the street at around 12:00 pm. A small, yellow umbrella and a bottle of mineral water helped me combat the hot afternoon weather.

One o’clock pm fell but there’s still no visible sign of her imminent arrival.

We love you Tita Cory!

Soon, my wrist watch registered a time of 2:00 pm but she’s still out of my sight. At 3:00 pm, the band stationed nearby started to play a musical piece which grew louder every minute but still, nothing can be seen except from a couple of cars. As if to add to our burden, the hot rays of sun started to penetrate the thin layer of my umbrella.

But everything changed when 4:00 pm arrived. At first, I thought it’s just like one of the “false alarms” which occurred several times before. But when I saw yellow ribbons tied on participating cars, I knew this was the one I waited for about four hours. I also saw some public figures accompanying her remains.

That lasted for about two minutes, if not one. But it’s worth the wait. It really was. I realized that what I did (stand and feel a burning sensation because of the sun) is just a little portion of what she has sacrificed in order to return the democracy that we once had. I’m very sure that she has endured countless hot weathers with no umbrella to protect her nor available water to relieve her thirst yet she never uttered a single word of complaint. It really takes big sacrifices to become a hero.

My respect for her could only grow larger after that event. I hope many Filipinos would eventually follow in her footsteps. And I do hope that I’ll be one of them.

A Yellow Ribbon

This yellow ribbon may be gone after some time, but your memory will remain burning in the hearts of every Filipino.