When I arrived as the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, I paid a courtesy call on former President Corazon Aquino. I had seen her speeches on TV, and watched from afar as she restored democracy and became president of the Philippines. I was intimidated and nervous to meet a person of such stature. Imagine my surprise to meet a gentle woman in a yellow dress who brushed aside my use of her formal title with a “please, call me Cory”. What started as courtesy call became a relaxed conversation as she described her family, her painting, and she reminisced with soft humor about moments in her Presidency. Like so many others, I was totally charmed.
Several months later, President Cory (I could never call her just “Cory” – it didn’t seem respectful) gave me a tour of the Aquino Center. As my personal tour guide, she told of Ninoy’s solitary confinement during martial law and their years of exile in Boston. She talked of his death and her subsequent involvement in politics. She brought history to life without a trace of ego, describing herself as an unlikely hero. We had lunch afterwards with her daughter at a nearby fast food restaurant. As we shared French fries, she glowed with pride about the achievements of her children and her grandchildren. Her warmth and charisma were irresistible.
On August 1, President Cory died after a battle with colon cancer. Filipinos and friends across the world grieved her loss. Manila is decked in a sea of yellow, her signature color. Our Embassy flag stands at half mast and our staff wear yellow ribbons in her memory. Across political and national lines, people of all races and faiths unite in remembering a woman whose life changed the face of the Philippines.
Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney is a career United States diplomat who has served since 2006 as the first female U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.
Comments (16)
Lyle
Location: Davao City
August 5, 2009 at 02:16 EDT
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Having met you in person, Madame Ambassador. I believe you and President Cory are very much alike — Humble, charismatic, and dedicated public servants.
President Cory’s passing is a great loss to democracy and to the Filipino people but her legacy will forever live in our hearts and minds.
Thank you for this very sincere tribute to the most admired Philippine president.
Jong Caytiles
Location: Quezon City, Philippines
August 5, 2009 at 11:45 EDT
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Thank you very much, Ambassador Kenney, for sharing in our grief. Kris was right. Indeed we call Tita Cory our own, we treat her as our own mom too, because we see in her an ideal person — one who loves unconditionally and one who unselfishly offers herself for the nation. These are very sad days for all of us, but may we take comfort in the fact that she is now at peace and is watching us all and still taking care of us from way up there. God bless the Philippines.
Arnoli Almonte
August 5, 2009 at 12:24 EDT
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Your description of our beloved President Cory Aquino is accurate. And she’s simply irresistible and charming in her own motherly way.
I worked in Malacanang during her last two years there. Such a humble President. And whose character is without blemish.
LEONIDES J. MOSQUEDA
Location: Malaybalay City, Philippines
August 7, 2009 at 08:35 EDT
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Hello Madam Kristie Kenney,
I am very proud as a Filipino and I was happy to know that you have meet President Cory in close encounter, which everybody Filipino dreams of. Madam I am very happy also knowing that you the US Ambassador have acknowledged the heroic act of President Cory Aquino…God Bless You.
MaryJane Suarez
Location: Chicago,IL.USA
August 8, 2009 at 01:49 EDT
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Thank you so much for sharing Madame. Ambassador K. Kenney. We did indeed lost such young Former President Cory Aquino who brought all Filipinos together. I was born and raised in the Philippines only 15 yo when her late husband was murdered and I was heading out of Manila to come to the US being petitioned by my American Citizen
Mother. I also witnessed when she tooked over the Malacanang Palace. Thank you again. I hope to be just like you someday and work besides you.
God bless you and your family. Keep you safe always.
Jackie Lou Esteban
Location: Manila
August 8, 2009 at 01:51 EDT
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I just arrived in Singapore when I saw the pictures of Pres. Cory in the Chinese newspaper there… I immediately knew something bad happened… She was truly appreciated all over the world for being an icon for democracy… Makes me proud to be a Filipino… I hope I can make a difference as well… But I think her sacrifices are incomparable… Thank you Pres. Cory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!T.T
Kozet Licas
Location: General Santos
August 8, 2009 at 23:31 EDT
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I would like to thank you for seeing the best qualities of our former President and for spending your precious time for her wake and burial. It’s so nice to know that someone like you could feel and think the way we Filipinos do.
I have always seen you on TV and read about you and the ‘untraditional’ things you do– somehow I became your fan. I even allotted the front page of our school newspaper for the nice things you do for the people of South Cotabato which we published three years ago.
Thank you and may God bless you always.
Angelica Francia Calayag- Apolo
Location: Las Pinas City
August 10, 2009 at 07:29 EDT
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Hello Mam Ambassador Kristie Kenney,
I am glad that Filipinos have a heart in you.
May God Bless us always.
JOANA ROSE
Location: SBMA/OLONGAPO CITY
August 13, 2009 at 10:09 EDT
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Madam I’m going to share this simple form of literature though extending my heartfelt thanks to our dear President Cory. It’s kinda late, but I can still feel it. I knew at once regardless of race and status we were united by our feelings toward President Cory.
A GENUINE PRESIDENTS’ LEGACY
President Cory’s Legacy
By Joana Rose Maniago 8/6/2009
Silence in our hearts
A farewell to you our Mother
Moments to relive and venerate your liberality and philanthropy towards Filipino people
Passing on to next generations
Though, physically not yet knowledgeable during those intricate times
In our hearts and spirits, in empathy we are united
Commemorating your benevolence as if we were there
Our physical absence and innocence are not hindrance
Hence, awakening next generation’s dormant nationality
Once more, igniting the fading flame of our now vulnerable democracy
Nationality and Democracy
The reason of your struggle way back
Now, our inheritance from you
For us to value keeping it from demolition
One of the virtues you showed genuinely
The virtue of humility – being grateful and lowly
As lowly as the rain falling from the sky down to the earth
Going deeper as it can go
Grateful to God for making you SOMETHING
A righteous INSTRUMENT
Transforming the entire Filipino people into something even if we are nothing
You will always be remembered
In our hearts
In our spirits
You are the source of pride of every Filipino
PRIDE, NATIONALITY AND DEMOCRACY
To her people, a genuine President’s Legacy
Raymond Tribdino
Location: Philippines
August 13, 2009 at 19:59 EDT
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Dear Ambassador Kenney,
You have shown not only your great personal respect for our beloved President Cory but also your deep sense of humanity, for the Filipino people. I do not know you personally but your gestures and your words were spontaneous, and expressed your real connection with the Philippines. Mabuhay po kayo!
PENELOPE
August 14, 2009 at 02:29 EDT
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Ma’am, thank you for honoring President Cory in your blog. She is the most honest president our country has ever had. May I add- the most humble, charismatic (like you), the most noble.
Joni
Location: http://taintedsong.com
August 14, 2009 at 05:40 EDT
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Thank you for your kind words for our former president! We, Filipinos, appreciate it!
Joselito Esguerra
Location: Sydney, Australia
August 16, 2009 at 05:42 EDT
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We are proud to have you Madame Ambassador Kritie Kenney to be the 1st American female ambassador to the Philippines; you have done so much for the Filipinos as well as in making the Philippine-United States relations even better and stronger.
I always keep an eye on the Philippine-US events via the US Embassy, Philippines website.
Mabuhay & more power to the Philippines-USA ties!!!
joyce
Location: Catarman
August 16, 2009 at 22:28 EDT
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Hi Ma’am Kristie,
Kudos to the women who can make a difference and purpose driven.
I’m very grateful and proud of people like you and our former President. You’re an inspiration.
Though I’ve never met you, I find you so sincere, down to earth and very approachable whenever I see you on tv, very like our former President Cory Aquino.
Like what everyone says, thank you so much for the sincere tribute to the most admired Philippine president.
God bless.
Joselito Esguerra
October 27, 2009 at 18:54 EDT
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Personally, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to the people of United States for their support to the people of the Philippines, most especially in times of crisis.
America is truly a friend and a family of the Philippines. We are also very proud of her excellency, Kristie A. Kenney for her good works and dedication for the welfare of the Philippines and the United States.
I wish to reciprocate the American people, by doing volunteer work in Sydney( cleaning the US consulate office, filing, etc.) even though I have been a resident of Australia for more than 20 years as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Mabuhay-Philippines-United States Friendships and to Ambassador K. Kenney!
Kristie Kenney
Location: Manila
November 3, 2009 at 23:47 EST
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Thank you so much for such a lovely comment. I think the work you do in bringing health care to many is critically important and gift enough to all our peoples. Mabuhay to you.