Cory Aquino and other moral forces for our nation

If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.

— Alan Simpson

Leadership is intentional influence. — Michael McKinney

All leadership is influence. — John C. Maxwell

MANILA, Philippines – Thanks to JG Summit Holdings executive Viveca Singson for recently inviting me to a special interview with ABS-CBN 2 rising star Kim Chiu over delicious lunch at Xintiandi, the Chinese restaurant at Crowne Plaza Hotel, right after the young star’s launch as celebrity endorser of the Gokongwei group’s new Pancit Shanghai instant noodles.

Kim sadly revealed that her supposed first movie with Kris Aquino, to be produced by Star Cinema for the Metro Manila Film Festival this December, is no longer happening “because of Kris Aquino’s family problems.” Perhaps Kris, the dutiful daughter, would prefer to devote more time to care for and be with her ailing mother ex-President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino?

A surprise hit on TV with her twice-extended Tayong Dalawa teleserye, beating Marian Rivera’s Ang Babaeng Ihinugot sa Aking Tadyang in ratings and an original choice of Regal Films to play Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan’s daughter in Mano Po 6: My Mother (but her handlers in ABS-CBN 2 supposedly reneged on their promise to lend her to Mother Lily), Kim told me: “I’m very saddened that Kris is no longer doing this movie, because I was so very excited to work with her.”

On Cory, the 19-year-old actress said: “I admire President Cory Aquino, because she demonstrated the capabilities of women to the world. I hope she will gain strength and that a miracle will happen.”

Cory might not be the most astute political leader, but she is not a liar like many of our shameless politicos. Her idealism, moral values, strong faith in God, plus her unique national and international stature as a freedom fighter make her a positive moral force. Cory reminds me of America’s Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., China’s Dr. Sun Yat Sen (who voluntarily resigned as president to give way to an ambitious but eventually ill-fated warlord in order to unify China after the 1911 revolution), India’s Mahatma Gandhi, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II.

Cory is one of the most interesting persons this writer has ever interviewed; it is my regret that I did not take up Cory’s personal invitation to visit and tour the Ninoy Aquino Museum in Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac province with her. Honestly, I was a bit embarrassed to bother her so I didn’t call to request that visit.

But recently, my paternal uncle Ambassador Howard Q. Dee, whose son Richard Dee is married to Cory’s daughter Viel, texted me saying he would ask their grandson, 17-year-old UP law student Kiko Dee, to help fulfill Cory’s promise to bring me there. Up to now, I am still optimistic and hopeful that the respected former President Cory Aquino will eventually regain her health and I’ll be able to join her in visiting that museum.

On Sin, Chino Roces, FPJ, Randy David, Oscar Cruz and Che Che

Who are the other individuals whose clout in our society and positive moral values make them each a positive moral force? The late Archbishop of Manila Jaime Cardinal Sin was definitely such a person of conscience, as was the late newspaper publisher Joaquin “Chino” Roces — both of whom fearlessly fought for democracy and passionately upheld the truth.

Could the late legendary and honorable actor, producer, director and self-made entrepreneur Fernando Poe, Jr. have been a positive moral force, if he had been proclaimed winner in the controversial 2004 election?

Making less of a national impact than Cory or Sin but no less noble, these are just some of the various exceptional men and women of conscience who remind me of the positive qualities of Cory Aquino:

• UP Professor Randy David. This incorruptible intellectual recently shook up Philippine politics by announcing that he would challenge President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo if she runs for Congress in their district in Pampanga province, grabbing headlines about a potential “David versus Goliath” duel. He reminds us that the price of democracy is personal courage and eternal vigilance. 

• Former Senator Juan Flavier. This retired politician personifies integrity and genuine public service. A rural doctor who trained under Yale/Princeton-educated Chinese social worker Dr. James Yen of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, Flavier has a great sense of humor.

• Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz. The archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, the 74-year-old Cruz is highly respected nationwide for his breathtakingly fearless crusade against illegal gambling and political corruption.

• Che Che Lazaro and Alberto “Bertie” Lim. Both are grandchildren of the late World War II martyr and West Point graduate General Vicente Lim, who was beheaded by the Japanese military invaders to the Philippines for his resistance. Che Che Lazaro is a multi-awarded TV journalist and crusader for truth and justice, while her brother and Makati Business Club executive director Bertie Lim is fearless crusader for good governance, anti-corruption and democracy.

This writer not only prays for the recovery of ex-President Aquino, but we hope that we shall see the rise of more courageous, decent and incorruptible men and women of conscience who shall defy moral evil and ambivalence in defense of truth, social justice, godliness and genuine democracy!

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