President Cory Aquino has died. Overseas Filipino Workers here in Saudi Arabia, as well as those in other countries, are mourning. “The passing of President Cory Aquino saddens me and the entire Filipino community in Saudi Arabia. It is a great loss to our country and to the whole world as well. She was a symbol of democracy, and an icon for those who love freedom,” said Philippine Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor, Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. “I am deeply saddened; I can feel the pain of our nation and our people,” said Consul General Ezzedin H. Tago, Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah. Aquino passed away at the age of 76. Her son Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III confirmed that she died of cardio-respiratory arrest Saturday at the Makati Medical Center. Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer early in 2008 and had been confined at the Makati Medical Center for more than a month. Aquino, widow of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., who was assassinated by the military, will be remembered as a symbol of democracy, having led a military-backed popular revolt in 1986 that ousted a dictator who ruled the country for 20 years. The uprising she led in 1986 ended the repressive 20-year regime of Ferdinand Marcos and inspired nonviolent protests across the globe, including those that ended Communist rule in Eastern Europe. Aquino's unlikely rise began in 1983 when her husband was assassinated on the tarmac of Manila's international airport as he returned from exile in the United States to challenge Marcos, his longtime adversary. A plain housewife, she was catapulted to the presidency in 1986. This reporter wrote the cover story when in 1986 Saudi Gazette selected and featured her as Woman of the Year. Villamor and Tago announced the passing of Aquino during the flag raising ceremonies Saturday in both Riyadh and Jeddah. Philippine flags at the Philippine missions, as well as at Filipino schools, now fly at half-mast. “I have received an official mandate from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that we here in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and around the world where Overseas Filipino workers are deployed, observe a ten-day period of mourning, from August 1-10,” Villamor said. The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are opening their doors to receive condolences from Saudi government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Filipino community. Books of condolences are now on display at the embassy in Riyadh, consulate general in Jeddah, and at the Eastern Province for the public. Condolences will be received from Saudi officials, members of the diplomatic community in the Kingdom, particularly the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Filipino community. The dates to receive the message of condolences from these sectors have yet to be determined by the embassy, according to Villamor. Filipinos in the Eastern Province are also mourning the passing of President Aquino, popularly known by the Filipino masses as Tita Cory. Dr. Richard B. Joseph, a business executive in Al-Khobar, said Aquino's passing left a void – a symbol – for all Filipinos to emulate. “Her passing is a big loss for all freedom-loving Filipinos.” Dr. Lito Astillero, a leading community leader in Riyadh, said the death of Aquino was not only a big loss for the country. “Had she decided to serve a second term, the country would be better off today,” he said. “We Filipinos here in Jeddah, Western Region, are saddened by her passing; happy as well that her suffering is over,” said Corly Obtinalla, another community leader in Jeddah. Filipinos in Jeddah will be keeping vigils, according to Obtinalla. He said community organizations in Jeddah have agreed to continue the work Aquino has started – to bring back the prosperity of the nation, rid the country of corruption, and help install a new and dynamic government. “Tita Cory is a symbol for all OFWs, therefore we should continue her work of love of country,” Obtinalla said.
