Yellow Fever

Never did yellow make such a strong comeback than yesterday when Cory Aquino, symbol of democracy, quietly passed away, leaving a divided nation united in grief. It was in 1986 when yellow became in vogue, the color of choice of the widow who became a reluctant President, the mother who willingly sacrificed herself under threat from a traitorous dictatorship and, subsequently, seven coup attempts, one of which almost killed her only son.

Cory's existence in this world had been marked by ironies. She was a private person thrust into the national spotlight by her husband's martyrdom. She was a non-politician forced to rise on the political stage by the unfortunate circumstances of her people. She was a woman averse to power but upon whom power was wholeheartedly bestowed by a nation in desperate need of leadership. She was a courageous spirit who found it in her to fight the cancer that was Marcos's violent regime and, later on, GMA's corrupt government but who was rendered powerless against the cancer that invaded her body during the last months of her life.

Only a saint could have had the heart not to lose faith in the face of such cruel contradictions but Cory was said to have died a peaceful death, unquestioning, uncomplaining, unceasing in her prayers for her country to the very end.

It is this selflessness, this goodness that drive Filipinos to tie yellow ribbons on trees, lamp posts, jeepneys, bicycles and car antennas, that bring forth a sea of yellow flowers in churches all over the country. In a touching display of unity never before seen since EDSA, people are flocking to La Salle Greenhills where the beloved Cory lies in repose. The politicians are there. The diplomats. The society matrons. The movie stars. The church people. And then there are the faceless individuals—not famous, not rich and, most of all, not paid to be there. There are middle-aged women who bring yellow flowers and place them with pride next to imposing yellow wreaths. There are people, young and old alike, wearing yellow shirts both worn and new. There is a host of many others sporting yellow bands and yellow ribbons. There is a Lola with a young grandson wrapped in a large yellow trash bag in place of a yellow tee they say they do not have money to buy.

This is one of the very few moments in our history when we can proudly tell the world we are Filipinos, moving together, praying together, all for the love of the Woman in Yellow.


*All images (except for bottom photo) grabbed from Google.