It was a “Good Mourning” for the Philippines as people from all walks of life woke up with the news that the Good Former President Corazon Aquino passed away Saturday Morning peacefully. Good Mourning in a sense that as the icon of democracy was breathing her last, People was praying for her. A 40 hour prayer vigil in the EDSA Shrine was due to end today, August 1, Saturday, for the recovery of her ordeal. But hours before it ends, she breathed her last. Good Mourning in a sense that Cory Aquino prophetically fulfilled her Prayer for a Happy death which she wrote herself last 2004. Good Mourning in a sense that She died on the same month of the anniversary of the death of her husband, Ninoy Aquino.

Before Cory expired at 3:18 am, Saturday, her family gathered around her and was praying the rosary, specifically the Sorrowful Mysteries. At the end of the Fifth Mystery, that was the time when Cory Breathed her last. It was the first Saturday of the Month, a saturday devotion which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary by the Holy Catholic Church. Incidentally, the first Saturday, August 1, was also the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. One of the well known title and image of the Virgin Mary taken on the streets of EDSA during the People Power. Strangely enough, the Parish where Cory belongs to is the Parish of the Twin Hearts of Jesus and Mary – it is as if all her life, the Virgin Mary and her was inseperable. Good Mourning today because even in her death, her final farewell was very Marian.

And Cory seemed prepared for her death. Early this month, a copy of her personal prayers was published and was distributed to the faithful which she herself wrote back in 2004:

Prayer for a happy death
By Corazon C. Aquino

Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So, remind me each day,
most loving Father
To be the best that I can be.
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient, to be true.
To embrace what is good,
To reject what is evil,
To adore only You.

When the final moment does come
Let not my loved ones grieve for long.
Let them comfort each other
And let them know
how much happiness
They brought into my life.
Let them pray for me,
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray
for each other.

Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered to our world.
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Our Father in heaven,
You alone are my hope.
You alone are my salvation.
Thank you for your unconditional love, Amen.

Indeed, A good Mourning since even to the last of her breath, Cory stood and held on to her faith, with much participation in prayer, not only by the family, but also by the entire nation.

At 6 am, the Military began to blast the cannons as a sign of honor for her. Diplomatic communities began sending their official statement and condolences. Musical Composers started singing their songs for her especially Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Mari Chan. Former Cabinet officials, former enemies, and friends and foes alike, shed tears never before seen in Philippine TV as they mourn for their dearest friend, mother and President. Astonishing anecdotes of Cory’s simplicity, humility and strength of Character never before heard nor published are told by people who knew her, served with her and lived with her. Institutions and Groups are racing and hoping that the Body of the President could be taken to their Church and place just for a little while. As far as Europe, Africa and South America, condolences pour forth from everywhere in the online network Twitter, Facebook and Plurk. Truly, Filipinos woke up in unity, a sign and evidence of a Good Mourning.

Never have I seen such outpouring of loneliness and hapiness at the same time in a massive scale for a Philippine President, at least in my lifetime. A Phenomenon mostly seen only on Pop Icons, Celebrities, Popes and Saints. I asked before if Cory would be considered for Sainthood, now I ask again, “who or what could stop the Church for declaring her so?”

Throughout her life she lived in Suffering: From her husband’s ordeal up to her battle with cancer. Yet now is a Good Mourning because heaven open its gates finally to the global icon of democracy, to the woman of faith and to the mother of all free Filipino People.

Farewell Cory, and Pray for us and our selfishness-driven country.