1. Corazon Cojuangco
Aquino (1933-)
First Pres. of the Republic of the Philippines
(1986-1992) Philippines
Background information on the Philippines:
80% of its people live below poverty line.
75% of its land is owned by 2% of the people.
Under Marcos government for 20 years -- dictatorship.
Half a million women prostitute themselves.
Feminist consciousness, for example, Gabriella, an
organization which holds a progressive platform
which fights against sexual aggression, discrimination,
and oppression.
Catholicism is main religion.
Women are expected to be involved in nurturing tasks
like education and service, while men are supposed to
be leaders in politics.
Biography:
Corazon Aquino became actively involved with politics, as
her husband, Benigno, was a popular critic of the Marcos
dictatorship in the
Philippines. Marcos
imprisoned
Benigno for his
oppositional work,
and had agreed to
free him if they left
the Philippines.
Benigno only
agreed when he
needed critical
heart surgery,
which would be
done in Boston.
However, Benigno

2. decided to return to Manila to run for the presidential election
of 1984, but he was shot in the head when he got out of plane
in Manila in 1983. Corazon Aquino had hoped that the party
would find someone else to run against Marcos, so that she
would not have to be considered. She agreed to run if she had
a million signatures on petitions requesting her to run, and so
she did.
Marcos, thinking that he still had the Filipino people behind
him, called for a snap election in 1986. It was then that Cory
became the unified opposition's candidate for presidency. She
officially lost those elections to Marcos, but people believed
that Marcos rigged the elections, and due to his mass
corruption, he lost the support of the U.S. and the people. On
February 25, 1986, both Aquino and Marcos were
inaugurated as President by their respective supporters,
leading to the "People's Revolution" and the eventually the
downfall of Marcos, making Cory the 1st president of the
Republic of the Philippines and also the first woman president
of the Philippines.
Aquino was portrayed in the media as just an ordinary
housewife who was challenging a 20-year dictator for
presidency, but this was never true. As she had been tutored
in politics from an early age, was college educated, was part
of a wealthy political family, and had a husband with political
instinct and ambition. She came to power as a "clean-up
mom," trying to move her country out of social and financial
turmoil, and she also wanted to keep her husband's political
vision alive. She appeared shy and a silent student and wife,
but she is also seen as eventually growing into role as a
leader.
Although many saw her weakness and delay, Aquino did not
waiver from her decision that the most important legacy of
her presidency would be her presidential leadership style, as
she was always more concerned with process over policy. In
March 1986, she proclaimed a provisional Constitution and
soon after appointed a commission to write a new
Constitution. This document was ratified by a landslide
popular vote in February 1987. She served for one term that
lasted six years as defined by the new Constitution, as she
decided not to seek re-election.
She has received many honorary degrees and she has received
Woman of the Year, Time magazine, the Eleanor Roosevelt

3. Human Rights Award, the United Nations Silver Medal, the
Canadian International Prize for Freedom, and the
International Leadership Living Legacy Award from the
Women?s International Center.
There was however no change in the social and economic
circumstances under Aquino's government. It is important to
realize that her government was pressured by huge popular
expectations, as the people prior to her had been living under
martial law for 14 years. She saw herself as a transition
president, from going to dictatorship to democracy, as she
believed the Philippines would take at least 10 years to
recover after Marcos Regime. It is also important to
understand, that what could have impacted her ability to
create change was the fact that she had to survive 6 coups and
no one was loyal to her.
As far as her impact on the lives of women both generally
speaking and politically in the Philippines, Aquino
accomplished a lot for women in terms of being the first
woman president of the Philippines, but she did not deal
specifically with women's issues. Many of her proclaimed
policy priorities, addressing poverty, would have had a
positive impact on women, as the majority of those
impoverished are women. Also, two women ran after her for
president. Although these women did not win, the fact that
they even ran, illustrates that in some regards Corazon
Aquino is partially responsible for "breaking the glass
ceiling" in the Philippines
Ultimately, Corazon Aquino should be remembered for her
unwavering commitment to democracy.
President of the Republic of the Philippines since February 25, 1986, Corazon
Cojuangco Aquino, has experienced praise and faced adversity with courage and
directness.
Two and one half years after her husband's assassination on August 21, 1983, this
politically inexperienced homemaker and mother of four daughters and one son, took
the reins of one of the world's most volatile nations. What is even more impressive, she
has maintained her power and fortitude despite several attempts to take away her
leadership.

4. Cory Aquino received her education at the Assumption Convent in the Philippines,
Ravenhill Academy in Philadelphia, Notre Dame Convent School in New York, College
of Mount Saint Vincent in New York and Far Eastern University in the Philippines.
Her honorary degrees include Doctor of Humane Letters, College of Mount Saint
Vincent (NY), Ateneo de Manila University and Xavier University (Philippines), Doctor of
Laws from University of the Philippines, and Honoris Causa, Boston University,
Fordham University, Waseda University (Tokyo), Eastern University and University of
Santo Tomas (Manila), as well as Doctor of Humanities, Stonehill College in
Massachusetts.
President Aquino's awards and distinctions are numerous, some include: Woman of the
Year, Time magazine, the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award, the United Nations
Silver Medal, and the Canadian International Prize for Freedom.
It is with great pride that Women's International Center honors the perseverance and
dedication of Corazon Aquino with the International Leadership Living Legacy Award.
Cory Aquino: One Courageous Leader
When news broke out that former President Cory C. Aquino was battling the dreaded colon cancer, it jolted
everyone about their own vulnerability and shocked many that the woman in yellow is suffering at a time when
this country needed more noble leaders and a moral mother.
She has lived a very remarkable life and has sacrificed many things to served this country more than any leader
after her term. For Cory, courage is the highest virtue.
Cory never turned her back on a good fight and always faced danger with courage. For instance, when the
rebel soldiers were closing in on her Arlegui residence during the 1989 coup attempt and death stared at her in
the eye, Cory refused to leave the Palace. Instead, she turned over her most valuable possessions, including
Ninoy’s prison diaries, to her trusted Appointments Secretary Margie Juico. Cory then asked Secretary Juico to
leave the Palace because it was getting dangerous and to look after her own children. Cory would survive that
trial, and many more after.
Even as she is suffering from her current illness, Cory is still thinking about the welfare of others and finds it
difficult to think that she might be an inconvenience to others. This is what Cory was, is and forever to all

5. democratic Filipinos. An icon that is other-centered, focused on the welfare of the country, its people and her
family.
To the younger generation who cannot appreciate the efforts of Cory, this description about her life written by
Mr. Cesar R. Bacani in a pamphlet that was published by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation aptly
described her life:
To the world, she is the widow in yellow who toppled a dictatorship in a stirring show of People Power in
1986. To her native Philippines, she is the courageous president who saw off a series of coups d’etat and
single-mindedly restored the institutions of democracy. But to herself, Corazon C. Aquino is a plain housewife
who, in all conscience, could not refuse her country’s call to service when her husband, former senator
Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr., was assassinated in 1983. She continues to serve after her term of office ended in
1992 through her work with nongovernmental organizations. "What is important is that we believe in the
Almighty and that we try to do whatever we can to help ease some of the sufferings of our people," she says. "I
always tell my children: 'I don’t know how many good years I still have left, but whatever I can do at this time,
I really want to be able to continue not only for the cause of democracy, but also to help in bringing about a
better Filipino. For the rest of my life, I will be doing whatever I can to improve things."
Please don’t get this blog writer wrong. This is not an obituary nor hinting at one. This post is a tribute to a
leader who has given a lot for this country, before, during and after her presidency. Actually, she should have
not done anything more, but she knows that she could still be the morale force after her retirement.
To those who want to express their concern and support for Cory Aquino, this blog would like to invite you to
visit a site dedicated to her: Cory Aquino - A Call To Prayer.
Corazon Aquino spearheaded the enactment of a new Philippine Constitution and several significant legal
reforms, including a new agrarian reform law. While her allies maintained a majority in both houses of
Congress, she faced considerable opposition from communist insurgency and right-wing soldiers who
instituted several coup attempts against her government. Her government also dealt with several major
natural disasters that struck the Philippines, as well as a severe power crisis that hampered the Philippine
economy.
Corazon Aquino
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Corazon Aquino

6. Corazon Aquino in 1986
11th President of the Philippines
2nd President of the Fourth Republic
1st President of the Fifth Republic
In office
February 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992
Prime Salvador Laurel
Minister
Vice Salvador Laurel
President
Preceded by Ferdinand Marcos
Succeeded Fidel V. Ramos
by
Personal details

7. Born Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco
January 26, 1933
Paniqui, Tarlac, Philippines
Died August 1, 2009 (aged 76)
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Resting Manila Memorial Park, Parañaque,Metro
place Manila, Philippines
Political Liberal Party
party UNIDO
PDP-Laban
Spouse(s) Benigno S. Aquino, Jr.
(1954-1983)
Relations Maria Elena Aquino-Cruz (eldest daughter)
Aurora Corazon Aquino-Abellada (second
daughter)
Benigno S. Aquino III (only son)
Victoria Elisa Aquino-Dee (third daughter)
Kristina Bernadette Aquino(youngest
daughter)
Alma mater St. Scholastica's College, College of Mount
Saint Vincent, New York
Far Eastern University
Profession Housewife
Religion Roman Catholicism
Signature

8. Maria Corazon Sumulong "Cory" Cojuangco-Aquino (January 25, 1933 – August
1, 2009) was a Filipino politician who served as the 11th President of the Philippines,
the first woman to hold that office, and the first female president in Asia. She led the
1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled Ferdinand Marcos and restored
democracy in the Philippines. She was named "Woman of the Year" in 1986
by Time magazine.
A self-proclaimed "plain housewife",[1] Aquino was married to Senator Benigno
Aquino, Jr., the staunchest critic of then President Ferdinand Marcos. After her
husband's assassination on August 21, 1983, upon returning to the Philippines after
four years in exile in the United States, Corazon Aquino emerged as the leader of the
opposition against the Marcos administration. In late 1985, when President Marcos
called for a snap election, Aquino ran for president with former senator Salvador
Laurel as her vice-presidential running mate. After the elections were held on
February 7, 1986, and the Batasang Pambansa proclaimed Marcos the winner in the
elections, she called for massive civil disobedience protests, declaring herself as
having been cheated and as the real winner in the elections. Filipinos enthusiastically
heeded her call and rallied behind her. These events eventually led to the ousting of
Marcos and the installation of Aquino as President of the Philippines on February 25,
1986 through the "People Power Revolution".
As President, Aquino oversaw the promulgation of a new constitution, which limited
the powers of the presidency and established a bicameral legislature. Her
administration gave strong emphasis and concern for civil liberties and human rights,
and peace talks with communist insurgents and Muslim secessionists. Aquino's
economic policies centered on bringing back economic health and confidence and
focused on creating a market-oriented and socially responsible economy. Aquino's
administration also faced a series of coup attempts and destructive natural calamities
and disasters until the end of her term in 1992.
Succeeded by Fidel V. Ramos as President in 1992, Aquino returned to private life
although she remained active in the public eye, often voicing her views and opinions
on the pressing political issues. In 2008, Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer
from which she died on August 1, 2009. Her son Benigno Aquino III was elected
president and was sworn in on June 30, 2010.