Did you see the late former President Corazon Aquino’s cortege yesterday (August 5, 2009) as it slowly made its way to the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City? It took more than seven hours, but the four honor guards who silently stood around Mrs. Aquino did not waver. How did they do it?
Those four honor guards are:
Army Pfc. Antonio Cadiente
Airman Second Class Gener Laguindan
Navy Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez
Police Officer 1 Danilo Malab
To say that they displayed exceptional discipline while performing their extraordinary task is quite an understatement. Imagine, no food/drink break, no sitting down, no jacket or poncho against the wind and rain, and no bathroom break… for seven hours?
I say it took more than discipline to help them do what they did yesterday. They were most likely inspired by the life of Tita Cory, and the display of support, warmth, and love by the throng that surrounded the cortege from the Manila Cathedral all the way to the Manila Memorial Park.
Clearly, even after 26 years, Cory Aquino continues to touch the lives of so many Filipinos. She continues to bring out the best not only in those four honor guards, but in each and every Filipino who witnessed all these events right there in the streets, or on television and the internet.
Paalam, Tita Cory… Thank you for the gifts you have given to the Filipino people. May we continue to inspire and bring out the best in each other.
