The death of President Corazon Aquino, 76, who succumbed to colon cancer last Saturday, August 1, brought unity to a divided nation, with former foes paying tribute to her courage and calm demeanor even while under extreme pressure and grave danger. Retired Philippine Navy Commodore Rex Robles, a member of the Revolutionary Armed Movement (RAM), comprised of military officers and personnel who turned against Aquino after she caused the collapse of the Marcos regime, praised her for her bravery and quiet resolve in believing all issues could be resolved by dialogue.

“Her aura was her armor; she was well-mannered and very sincere and she was brave in a quiet way,” recalled Robles, now a mining consultant and security analyst. “You couldn’t possibly hurt her.”

Robles took part in some or all of the seven coup attempts staged by the RAM against Aquino between 1987 and 1989. These putsches, while failures, were, in large measure, one of the main reasons why the country, while under Aquino’s watch, had difficulty in recovering from the economic shambles it was left by the over twodecade old Marcos regime.

Perhaps the most significant indication that old wounds have healed was the presence of members of the Marcos family Tuesday at the Manila Cathedral where Mrs. Aquino’s remains currently lie in state.

Ilocos Congressman Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., accompanied by his wife, the former Lisa Araneta and elder sister, Imee Marcos, came to the Cathedral to pay their respects to to the late former President, whose victory in the 1986 Presidential elections led to the crumbling of their father’s over two-decade old Government and caused them to go on exile to Hawaii. They condoled with and were welcomed warmly by Ballsy Cruz, eldest of Mrs. Aquino’s children.

Earlier, Mrs. Aquino’s youngest child, Kris Aquino, told Boy Abunda, her co-talk show host of the popular ABS-CBN program, The Buzz, that she and her siblings are open to a reconciliation with the Marcoses, a statement which apparently was received with relief by former First Lady, Mrs. Imelda Marcos and spurred the presence of Congressman Marcos and her sister, Imee at the Mrs. Aquino’s wake.

Also in the wake was former President Joseph Estrada with whom Mrs. Aquino, who had earlier been in the forefront in efforts to oust him, became an ally in her seeking Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation in the aftermath of the still unresolved Hello Garci electoral vote padding issue.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the Philippines, Kristie Kenny said Americans will always remember Mrs. Aquino as the “woman in yellow dress who stood for what is right.”

During the noontime requiem Mass for Mrs. Aquino at the Manila Cathedral, Kenny said the American nation joins the world in mourning the passing of the Philippines’ first woman President.

“President Cory, even in death, has the ability to bring people together. And we in America will always remember her as not just a President but a woman of extraordinary courage and a wonderful mother to her children,” she said.

She also underlined, “Most Americans love Cory Aquino.”