Sept. 1, 2009
Dear Senator Noynoy,
Last Aug. 31, 2009 , our National Heroes day and also, the 81st birthday of His eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin , who on that same date in 1983, The Cardinal said the funeral mass , at Santo Domingo church , over the body of Ninoy Aquino.
May I share for your reflection some excerpts from your parents good friend, Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J., Aug. 29, 1998 play on the life of the Cardinal, 'Seven decades of Sin' )
Scene 5: Manila , Lights fall on the coffin of Ninoy.
Jaime : I challenge the State to restore all those freedoms which the people have lost! the Filipino is reduced to being an exile in his own country. I challenged the State to restore the dignity of our people and to recognize their right to participate fully in the political process. Will the state listen to the cry of the people? Will the national leadership free us from tyranny and oppression? I warn the State-- you are fanning the flames of violence!.... Our people are waiting for a reply. They wait, no longer as sheep--- timid and scattered --- but as men and women, purified and strengthened by this profound communal grief, which has made us One! . . . If the State does not restore freedom, all of us will join the Parliament of the Streets! We will show the dictatorship the power of non-violence! People power can be irresistble!
Next Scene 6 : Villa San Miguel ( the lights come up on June Keithley, of Radio Veritas then Radio Bandido, with the call letters and the frequency. She is broadcasting. )
June : We end the Marian year on this day -- December 8, 1985-- the feast of Immaculate Conception of the blessed Virgin Mary. Cardinal Sin is saying Mass in the Luneta. Millions of people are there, praying god , through mary, to fill us with the grace. We ask God to touch the heart of every Filipino , to give us courage!
( And the lights come up on the Cardinal's office. Cory sitting alone in a chair, in front of the Cardinal's desk. Cardinal sin enters.)
Jaime : Cory! You are here! . . The crowd in Luneta was wonderful . . The Marian Year was wonderful . . . something will happen now, Cory . . . God is preparing us for something!
Cory : I came to tell you something. I made a recollection, for a full day, in the chapel of the Pink sisters, on Hemady. I prayed and prayed. I prayed for Marcos. I prayed for Ninoy, for the family. I prayed for the people of the Philippines. . . I asked Mary and I asked God. . .to show me what to do.
Jaime : I cannot think of a better way to pray. What came to you?
Cory : And by the end of the day it came to me . . . It came very early . .. what I was afraid of ... what I dreaded .... I cannot let Ninoy die in vain . . . I can not allow so many of my friends, who are suffering in prison, to suffer in vain . . . I can not stand by, and watch the nation being plundered . . . I can not turn away from the wives and mothers who come to me, weeping, because the ones they love have been killed . . . I have to do it . . . I will run.
( The Cardinal rises, and kissed her on the cheek.)
Jaime : Cory, what you heard was really the voice of God.
Our battle cry during the Marian Year was COR---C*O*R*--Conversion, Offering, Reparation. But now it will be another battlecry: "Cory! Cory! Cory!
Cory : Your Eminence, what must I do ?
Jaime : Cory, you can not do it alone . . . You are a housewife, not a politician . . . You have no political party, no poll watchers, no national organization.
Cory : I think i have the heart of the people.
Jaime : You have! . . . You have! But that is not enough, to win an election in this country. god himself told us: "We must be as simple as doves, but as wise as serpents!" . . . We are fighting serpents, Cory. You must have a political party . . You have to join an existing party - - or this will not work! (Sitting down, leaning forward to her ) The best party is UNIDO. It means : "United we stand . . . Divided we fall" . . .They have nominated Doy Laurel as their candidate for President . . . but only one of you can run! A single challenger can beat Marcos. Two challengers will split the opposition, and Marcos will win.
Cory : Doy wants to be president. he will never give up that ambition . . . never!
Jaime : Let's try! The grace of God is touching hearts, all around us. ( Ushering Cory at the door.) Cory, you will win . . . You will be the President of the Philippines.
Cory : It is in the hands of God.
With this timely historical accounts to ponder, our fervent wish is for you , your siblings and the Filipino people to reflect and learn from our recent political history of His divine will, during this crucial time ,in your reflective and conversational time with your parents and Our good Lord.
Fr. Reuter also shares his prayer:
May all the thoughts that come to us be true.
May all the things to which our hearts go out be beautiful , with the beauty of God.
May all the things we want be good. Give us the light to see your will ,
the grace to love it, and the courage and strength to do it.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
EMER MAGNO GUINGON
CFC global /GK-Christ the King
Radio Bandido-EDSA 1
