August 2009, Philippines was mourning the death of their beloved hero, Corazon Aquino. Who really was Cory Aquino, as what most Filipinos call her. Is she a Saint of Democracy, a hero of Democracy or just a plain housewife of a murdered Philippine hero, Benigno Ninoy Aquino. For all Filipinos and the world, she is the model hero of the modern revolution.

During unforgettable EDSA Revolution she won a widespread international acclaim as an icon of democracy. She was selected as Time magazine's Woman of the Year in 1986. She was also nominated to receive the Nobel Peace Prize but lost to Elie Wiesel also in 1986. In September 1986, Aquino delivered a speech before a joint session of the United States Congress which was interrupted by applause several times, and which then U.S. House Speaker Tip O'Neill hailed as "the finest speech I've ever heard in my 34 years in Congress." Above the din of cheering officials, Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole said to Mrs. Aquino, "Cory, you hit a home run." Without missing a beat, Aquino smiled and shot back: "I hope the bases were loaded."

She is a hero:

Even the Philippine Government will proclaim her a hero or not, in the hearts of every filipino, she is a hero of the modern world.  Never in the eyes of the world have witness a great  revolution without bloodshed, but only in the Philippines. And what is great? her iconic symbol drove people to hold rosaries, picture  of  Virgin Mary and join hands in praying the Holy Rosary in front of the Tanks and soldiers whose common goal is to follow orders from the country's strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

She prayed for Filipinos not to put their anger as the basis to bring the Marcos dictatorship down but she prayed for Filipinos to pray to soften the hearts of the soldiers and the heart of their leader.   The world was shocked in 1986, when the Marcoses leave the country and not because they lost the war, but of miracles. 

She is a saint:

Cory was a devout Catholic and her ascend to presidency according to some people was a decision from God, to lead the People of the Philippines from the hands of dictatorship. During the dark days of her family, when her husband was accused of rebellion, jailed, exiled and assassinated. She never back down from asking God for strength to hold on, to protect her family and to have a lasting peace in the country. And God answered her Prayer. During her term,her time is always dedicated in helping the needy, the poor, like the farmers, which many rich politicians hated her agrarian reforms because she gave lands to the poor farmers and not hesitating from giving more. She is like St. Therese, a mother, a leader who is serving God and the needy.

According to many Filipino politicians:

Declaring Aquino a national hero is vital in instilling nationalism and pride of country.

“A people needs to be aware of their history in order to understand their present”

"Cory is a reluctant hero"

“In this day and age when Philippine history is seemingly wanting of national heroes, Corazon C. Aquino reluctantly rose to be one,”

“She surrendered herself to the great responsibility that destiny put on her shoulders—to be the human symbol of democracy,  the late President for battling corruption, injustice and political tyranny even in her last days, and praised her for bringing honor to the country."

“With an unwavering faith in God, she left a legacy that transcended the many failings of her administration. The consolidation of democracy through the peaceful hand-over of power in a country where no president had stepped down voluntarily since 1964 was perhaps her greatest."