At Large
Tita Cory and Mang Ramon
By Rina Jimenez-David
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:15:00 03/26/2008
YESTERDAY'S front page had two stories that demonstrated the democracy of illness and death. The stories showed how everybody, with no exception, the rich and famous as well as the obscure and destitute, are subject to time and mortality, to weakness of the body, as well as strength of spirit.
The banner story dwelt on the diagnosis of colon cancer on former President Cory Aquino. Despite stepping down from office in 1992, Ms Aquino has continued exerting influence on the country's affairs, lending her name and face, as well as her reputation, to causes that often called the powerful to account. Since 2005, she has been calling for the resignation of President Macapagal-Arroyo, and lately she took up the cudgels for whistle-blower Jun Lozada and the story he had to tell about the corruption attending the NBN-ZTE deal. A woman of prayer, Ms Aquino's illness prompted Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales to pledge the prayers of all Filipino priests for her recovery.
"Mang Ramon" Faner was not as famous as "Tita Cory," nor was he accomplished, at least judging from the traditional scale of wealth, influence or power. But still his death merited mention on the front page, thanks in part to being the beneficiary of a "wish" granted by the Inquirer to selected readers as part of our 22nd anniversary.
Reader Paulina Miranda, a student at the Assumption, had joined the contest wishing for an essay she had written on Mang Ramon to be published in the Inquirer, as well as for financial support for her favorite newspaper vendor. The story on Mang Ramon and Paulina was published the other week (the Youngblood article was published even earlier) and, according to a news report, Mang Ramon was flattered no end by appearing on the same page as Manny Pacquiao. Now, with his death, he shares the same page with news of President Cory's illness.
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EVERY family, of course, goes through the tests of tragedy and misfortune. But in the case of the Aquinos, it seems the sacrifices that have been asked of them seem extraordinary indeed, not least because, being public figures, the tests play out before the entire nation.
The assassination of Ninoy Aquino thrust Cory into the limelight, which she had so assiduously avoided, preferring to leave to Ninoy the fame and recognition he sought as a public servant. But when his death sparked nationwide outrage, it was difficult for Cory to shirk the legacy that had suddenly fallen on her lap, until, to unite the fractured anti-Marcos forces, she agreed to contest the presidency and directly challenge the dictator.
It would have been so easy for President Cory to simply walk away from public life, after surviving coup attempts and countless crises while in office. And though she sought to confine her social involvement to NGO concerns, in time, she was pulled back to politics, compelled to speak out first, when her successor Fidel V. Ramos sought to amend the Constitution to extend his stay in office, and then against the corruption and sleaze of the Erap Estrada administration, and once more against the arrogance and excesses of the Arroyo regime.
This paper has dubbed Tita Cory as an "icon of democracy," but to many, including this columnist, she represents as well everything that is true and decent in national life, a sure center and a living yardstick for judging the rightness of one's actions, especially that of public officials. Let me join my prayers (for whatever they're worth) with those of many Filipinos, priests or laity, for Tita Cory's recovery and for the gift of "a little more time," as her daughter Kris said in an interview, for her family and friends.
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THERE was another recent death in the news, that of Consuelo "Chito" Madrigal Collantes, matriarch of one of the wealthiest and most politically influential clans in the nation (Sen. Jamby Madrigal is a niece).
Madrigal was described as a "businesswoman and philanthropist," and yet in the sometimes cold calculations of news executives, the story of her demise had to be bumped off the front page. Taking its place on the page was the story of the death of a humble street vendor, who might not have merited attention were it not for his being the subject of a student's essay.
Noticing Mang Ramon's friendly demeanor while plying the streets of Makati selling newspapers, cigarettes and gum, Paulina Miranda had come to consider Mang Ramon as part of her and her father's daily commute. She even chose him as the subject of a class project, joining him in his daily routine and coming to realize just how difficult his line of work was.
But when one day he was not at his usual post, Paulina went looking for the vendor and found that he had had to be hospitalized due to difficulty breathing because of asthma. It was this that prompted the student to send in a wish for Mang Ramon as part of the Inquirer contest. When her entry was chosen, Paulina and Mang Ramon were featured in a front-page story.
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A CELEBRITY by accident, the beneficiary of a young person's charitable instincts and feel for a good human interest story, Mang Ramon nonetheless could stand as a symbol for the millions of Filipinos like him. Millions who live on the edge, eking out a living by dint of long and difficult work, and yet brightening the day of customers, as Mang Ramon did for Paulina, with their pleasant disposition and palpable decency.
Indeed, life offers many lessons and surprises. One is that wealth and fame offer no protection against time and the weakness of the flesh. And yet another is that in the midst of daily struggle, grace can descend all of a sudden, and the spirit is lifted, beyond all expectations.
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