I never really liked the color yellow. I sincerely believe that the world would be just the same, if not better, if the McDo arch, pedestrian lanes and egg yolks were of a different shade. (But of course, that would have been so weird.) I don’t know what it symbolizes or what it stands for. If it means beauty, light or jolliness, I really don’t know. All I know was that if there was a plebiscite on what color should be removed from the rainbow (if that ever was possible), I could have voted for yellow.
But that was before Cory Aquino died.
I absolutely don’t have anything to do with Tita Cory, yes. I am not a relative; or a relative of her relative even. I am not an estranged son or nephew or apo sa tuhod. I am not a fan, a devotee or an avid supporter. I wasn’t in EDSA 1. In fact, I never met her in person, merely on the dailies, on TV and on my history books. And in the time of her death, I was the person most likely to be just shrugging my shoulders and quipping, ‘Ganyan lang talaga ang buhay.’
But no, I was exactly the antonym. When I heard about her death, I instantly browsed through the net to verify the news. Like I couldn’t let myself believe it. And the instant I had checked on it, I whispered, ‘Rest in Peace, Tita Cory.’ And then I realized that I have everything to do with her. Because I’m a Filipino. And like the rest of us Pinoys all over the globe, I have lost a mother.
For one brief moment, it was as if yellow was the only color that can be perceived by our eyes. Well, at least for most Filipinos, who value their nationality and patriotism like it was a gem. At least for those who take history as a crucial component of what they are now. At least for those who still believe in peace, in faith and in brotherhood. And at least for those who see Tita Cory as she what she is: the Mother of Democracy.
Yellow, bright as it is, defied irony and stood out as the nation’s color for grief. For the first time, I wasn’t irked as I watched on TV a myriad of Filipinos in yellow as they lined up to pay their last respects to the President. It was a very heartwarming sight, made much more beauteous by the lovely shade of yellow. This was a different kind of grief; an expression of letting go, of telling goodbye. Yellow was the new black.
It was also the color that unified the country in this sad event. It is amazing to note that even at her death, Tita Cory, through the luminescence of the color yellow, inspired each and every Filipino heart to set aside their differences and animosities and join hands, once more, even just for one brief moment.
The color exceeded being just a color for me. It now holds a lot of meanings that define the things we value the most. Yellow became the color of boldness and courage. And like a light forever shining, Tita Cory’s flaming legacy of audacity amidst the cruel blows of the reality of life shall ablaze thru time and space. Yellow is for reconciliation. Yellow is for serenity of the heart and soul. Yellow is for true democracy, genuine leadership and great humility. Yellow is for God. Yellow is for being Filipino.
But amongst all the virtues the color yellow has come to represent, one stands out. It is one virtue the country is in dire need of at the present. It is one virtue that gives strength and will at its mere presence. It is one virtue that sustains the spirit and pushes us to face the obstacles life brings us.
Yellow is for hope. It is like a torch that would guide us through this dark road we are in now. It is like that light at the end of this endless tunnel of tribulations and uncertainties. It is like the sun waiting to dawn, the stars waiting to shine their glimmer and the fire waiting rekindling. Yellow is the hope that one day, another Corazon C. Aquino will be born amidst us and like a candle ever-flaming, guide as once again in our journey of becoming a true Filipino; from birth, to death and beyond. Just like her, the lady in yellow.
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Thank you Mommy Cory. For all the countless sacrifices you’ve made for my generation. For being selfless, generous and very optimistic. For standing up against the barricades we couldn’t have managed to fight ourselves. You are the epitome of a true hero of today. No bolos needed. No secret society involved. No violence ever used. Hail to thee, Mother of Philippine Democracy.
May you rest peacefully in the embrace of the Heavenly Father. You shall always be missed…
