Teri Burgos-Gutierrez, Corporate Trainer

Teri, a wife to a dentist, and mother to 3 adolescent sons, trains professionals and writes textbooks in Speech. She can be reached at gutierrez_teri@yahoo.com

A Loving Tribute to my President
By Teri Burgos-Gutierrez

“I do whatever it is that I believe I should do, regardless of the risks to my life.”
- Former President Corazon C. Aquino

About a quarter of a century ago, I vividly remember enlisting myself as a volunteer of the CAPM (Cory Aquino for President Movement) with our headquarters at the 9th floor of the National Life Insurance Company Building along Ayala Avenue, Makati City which was owned by the De Leon Family (a staunch supporter of Ninoy and Cory Aquino). To this very day, I have kept my identification card which I’ll be very proud to show to my children and grandchild now that both Ninoy and Cory are gone after having served our country to their last breath.

Yes, I bravely and proudly stood for “Tita Cory.” I supported and tirelessly campaigned for her in her quest for the presidency. I can no longer remember the number of rallies and marches I have attended together with my husband, our neighbors in HBTownhomes in Mandaluyong, and my friends from St. Theresa’s College. Yellow was the predominant color of my outfit and other accessories wherever I went to show to the world how much I believed in her. I defied some members of my family who continued to support Tita Cory’s political rival because in my mind and in my heart, I knew and I felt that it was only Tita Cory who could save our country from further peril, dictatorship, and destruction. During her term as President, I continued to stand by her in the so many times that her presidency was in the verge of being toppled down by the ruthless coup d etats which she managed to emerge as winner in the end.

As a wife, mother, woman, and a product of an exclusive school like Tita Cory, I was able to identify myself with her and her values and character. To me, she has become an ideal icon of conviction, idealism, and strength of character. To me, she epitomizes the new generation of women whose global role is now recognized and revered.

Much has been said and written about her before, during, and after her presidency. However, I just want to personally cite a few characteristics of Tita Cory that have all the more endeared her to me to this very day:

1. Her selfless service for her country
2. Her unwavering love for her family
3. Her dedication for work as President and as a Private Citizen
4. Her values of humility, simplicity, and honesty
5. Her faith in God and her religiosity

If we only try to be a Tita Cory in our workplaces, I’m certain that we’ll be able to achieve peace and harmony not only at work but within the self. These are important values that we need to remember most especially during these times of chaos and uncertainties not only in the Philippines but the world in general.

She quietly slipped away and breathed her last on August 1, 2009. She once said, “I would rather die a meaningful death, than to live a meaningless life.” She did and she did so meaningfully. For the last time on August 03, 2009, Tita Cory cruised her way again along Ayala Avenue in the midst of bunches and bunches of yellow confetti, ribbons, flowers, banners, and flags. For the last time, I, in a yellow outfit, waved my last goodbye to my president … my role model … my icon… my mother. Goodbye and God bless, Tita Cory.