Cover of the book, “Cory Aquino, an Intimate Portrait”

ANGEL THOUGHTS
“The Common Man says – erasers are for people who make errors. But the Wise Man says – erasers are for people who are willing to correct their mistakes!”
– Chuchi de Vega

Today is the launching of a special book about a special person, Cory Aquino, by her special friend, assistant, and appointments secretary Margie P. Juico at Bestsellers at Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas Center at 6 p.m.

It could just be another VIP book launch, but it is actually a "birthday gift" for Mrs. Aquino. Margie, driven by her love and respect for her boss and friend, had the patience of Job to quietly gather articles, essays, and comments from various personalities (82) who have been associated with Cory Aquino in one way or the other before, during, and after her presidency.

The book entitled "Cory Aquino, An Intimate Portrait" reveals the many "Corys" in the writers’ lives and gives the reader a truly warm and human portrait of this Icon of Democracy.

Margie was the Guesthouse "gatekeeper" for President Cory, the one who scheduled her official and personal appointments. She was firm, disciplined, and unyielding to demands of "I have to see the President!" from VIPs, politicians, even officials of the administration. I remember that even the President’s siblings and in-laws passed through Margie for their appointments to see her!

Like St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, she guarded the President from persistent and unwanted visitors and callers. She had a reputation among the naughty ones, of course, in the "Inner Circle," of being a "Mother Superior," and I suspect Margie enjoyed that perception and used it to shield her boss.

Her delicate job required personal integrity to the highest degree, and nothing and nobody made Margie flinch in discharging her responsibilities. She would keep Maria Montelibano, who ran her little fiefdom (which had so much clout) the RTVM (Radio Television Malacanang) with an iron fist, too, and I, in the Press Office, informed her of the unclassified trivia and "tsismis" and interesting personalities beating at her door for entrance to the "inner sanctum." We, in turn, brought her the hard news from the outside world, unedited.

The late great journalist Teddy Benigno, then Press Secretary, sometimes threw his hands up in sheer frustration over what he thought was our "undue influence" over the President and at one time labeled us "The Maidenform Three." (You know, like the witches of Shakespeare?) Margie was miffed, but Maria was hilarious with glee and even told him her bra size. But he was well-respected by us and he knew it, even when he resigned from his post.

* * *

In deciding to compile the 82 stories, anecdotes, and tributes to Cory, Margie was motivated by her devotion to her boss and her desire to preserve the warm, happy stories about her by common folks, VIPs, scholars, former officials, and friends. She was ably supported by her husband Popoy who was also very close to the Aquinos, having been Ballsy’s professor in college and a great fan of her father. Popoy wrote the foreword to the book.

The book is published by Anvil Publishing and will be available in Bestsellers and National Book Stores tomorrow. Editor Margie has included the literary contributions of (in alphabetical order):

Loven C. Abadia, Heherson and Cecille Alvarez, Teresita Ang See,

Fr. Catalino Arevalo, Edgardo Angara, Antonio Arizabal, Joker P. Arroyo, Jejomar Binay, Caridad

Borja, Nenette Bustos-Sanvictores, Christopher Carrion, Teresita Castillo, Sr. Remedios Centeno, DC, Francisco Chavez, Jose Concepcion Jr., Auggie Cordero,

Elfren Cruz, Nancy Cuenco, Jose Cuisia, Edilberto de Jesus,

Georgina de Venecia, Jose de Venecia, Henrietta T. de Villa, Howard Dee, Bro.Rolando Dizon, Pearl Doromal, William M. Esposo, Jesus Estanislao, Patricia Evangelista, Fiorello Estuar,

Ceferino Follosco, Ramon Garcia, Victor Garcia, Voltaire Gazmin, Jose Antonio Gonzalez, Danilo A. Gozo, Philip Ella Juico, Millie Kilayko, Arch. Angel N. Lagdameo, Domingo Lee, Loren Legarda, Ditas Lerma, Josefina T. Lichauco, Madeleine Lim, Narzalina Z. Lim, Teodoro Locsin Jr., Maritess L. Lopez, Lollie P. Mara, Victor R. Mendoza, Salvador Mison, Maria Montelibano, Dolores Nazareno, Prospero Nograles, Elvira Ong Chan, Jose U. Ong, Joji Ong-Maldonado, Bettina Osmeña, Cayetano Paderanga, Miguel Perez Rubio, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Fidel V. Ramos, Alice Llamado Reyes, Juan Jose Rocha, Flerida Ruth Romero, Lovely Romulo, Rene Saguisag, Cesar Sarino, Paulynn P. Sicam, Deedee Siytangco, Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz, Washington Sycip, Ernesto Tabios, Bienvenido Tan, Wigberto Tañada, Monserrat Romulo Tantoco, Mercedes A. Tuason, Wilfrido V. Villacorta, Manuel Villar, Bishop Socrates Villegas, and Beatriz Zobel.

There will be those who will be upset that they were "left out" of the book, or that they submitted their precious manuscripts late. One very touching essay is from Rene Saguisag, who has not yet fully recovered emotionally from the death of his beloved Dulce. His contribution is as usual a literary gem. But the slim book is a very interesting read, whatever political fence you are on at the moment!

We hope Margie has another volume in the making!