True to her name, former President Corazon Aquino became a living testament of what it means to merge with that thread of love which links the beads of our stories together, drawing a whole nation together towards becoming one in spirit – remarkably one in prayer even in this seemingly deafening and blinding times – such is the fruit of this love that can only be given by God.

She became for us an icon of “nationhood” and now even more so as a beacon of light for our “soulhood.” How can a simple woman, mother and wife, just by being her own selfless self, broken and even mortally challenged move and draw a multitude continuously and consistently towards those ideals that are held sacred for a nation throughout her lifetime? This can only be the grace already planted, nurtured and manifested within her steadfast witnessing, her “commitment to God,” in word and deed.

Let those who have eyes, truly see. Let those who have ears, truly hear. For one could be led to recognize that by this same grace we have been given an incandescent hero in this most auspicious of times, Tita Cory is a “hedgestone of faith” for a nation’s soul.

The articles of Ms. Gutierrez, Mr. Irwin and Mr. Macabebe were emailed to Manila Bulletin shortly after the news of President Aquino's demise.