Sentidokomon

By Joy Miranda(Tinig Pinoy, August issue)In the span of years that I have been writing and in all the articles that I wrote, I personally find “death” as the most interesting topic to write. Death, as defined by Wikipedia, is the permanent termination of the biological functions that define a living organism. It refers to both particular event and to the condition that results thereby. It is more interesting to me because it gives me the opportunity to make both my heart and brain to work together, by coming up with lots of questions to answer regarding how life must be appreciated. Death is the conclusion of one’s life. As there is a beginning, so there is an end. Recalling the moment when a loveone had passed-away, there is always a pain that continues to emotionally cripples me. The death of former president Cory Aquino reminds me of this pain once again. Why Cory? Why not Michael Jackson? My thalamus asked. The heart says, I am not and never close to both, but the answer is obvious: I can relate to her life’s story, of course, not the extra-big thing which she did to the Filipino people, but the many extra little things which occured in her life, the painful part, the inspiring part, and the most respected part. Her husband the late Senator Ninoy Aquino was gunned down. My father, Journalist Noel Miranda was also shot dead. Was there any difference in the pain Cory and I felt after losing someone dear? A death of a loveone defines the life of those who are left behind. It is the opportune time when you decide to create change from where you usually stands, and it gives you clear meaning about the things that needs to be done on your own. Cory became an icon of Philippine democracy, despite her mourning, she led the country that was in the brink of collapse, with a kind of courage God knows where she got from. On the other hand, the demise of my dad has brought a lot of positive changes in myself, such as a sudden maturity and became totally responsible by a realization that every single thing in this world is only temporary.

I had a very brief moment with Cory, in fact it was only few minutes of face-to face meeting with her in the early 1990’s when she came to Tagum City for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) conference. Whenever someone introduces me to somebody before, the words “the daughter of slain mediaman Noel Miranda” always come in handy. It went the same when I was introduced to President Aquino. “Please meet Joy Miranda, her father was assasinated too,” was the introduction. With rather a shy smile, I looked at her face intently anticipating a sympathetic reply. Her words almost made me cry at the conference. “Maging matibay ka, matatag, at huwag magpatalo sa kahit ano man.” Many years after her term of office, and now that she is gone, those words came back to my memory time and again. I am not sure if I was that matibay, but I know I keep trying. I guess I am matatag somehow though. Nagpatalo? This I am so sure, never! Hindi ako nagpatalo sa mga tukso ng buhay lalo na sa mga aspeto ng pagiging gahaman sa ambition, pera at kawalang-respeto sa sarili at ibang tao. This is what I learned from Cory. This is the most respected part of her that I will be forever inspired to try to achieve every passing day of my life, wherever I maybe.

Death gives no exemption to any living things. Some may live long, yet no one lives forever. Let the reality about death be a pinch-hitter to prefer living a respectable life that when it is time to go, though there is pain, those you leave behind will not be crippled by shame.