Letters to Marge (Chapter 9): Always Know Who You Are...

Dearest Margaret…

Haven’t written much lately, have I?

Well, thing is, the whole zigzagging between Manila and Baguio doesn’t exactly leave your old man too much room for thoughtful blogging. What’s more, at this time that I am writing this, you are already a year and two months old. Quite responsive, and a lot of fun to be with. And I can almost imagine you digging whatever I say...

"...today... one truly great lady finally left a country that never stopped needing her..."

But today (August 1, 2009) is a rather special day.

Today, two very dear friends from different circles in my life celebrate their birthdays (those would be Uncles Jon and Carlo), and one truly great lady finally left a country that never stopped needing her.

At this point, I’m guessing part of your research on Philippine history includes former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. Dad’s advice is for you to really dig into it. The presidency of Cory (as she is referred to in our time) was by no means a prosperous time, and definitely wasn’t all six years of sunshine. But while each presidential term in this eternally struggling country of ours has been followed by shadows they themselves created long after their terms have ended, only Cory Aquino has remained untainted, unaffected, unchanged. Having stood for what she believed from the day the public knew who she was, right down to the very last moment her voice was heard, Cory was a singular icon. Free of pretense, Cory was singular in her stature, singular in her beliefs, and singular in her purpose of upholding those beliefs.

What made Cory so iconic, so much larger than life, was that the Cory Aquino the People Power Revolution strapped into that chair in Malacañang was still the Cory Aquino we were watching praying on national TV just a year ago. More wrinkles, perhaps, but still the same smile, the same determination, the same battle cries, even the same shade of yellow on her dress.

People knew what to expect of Cory Aquino, knew what she stood for, and she never changed that. It's not unlike how a McDonald's cheeseburger pretty much tastes the same even after all these years.

"...At some point, you must decide that you have had enough major input, and can start building the foundation that will become... 'you'..."

With that in mind, here’s something I need you to know and live by.

As life goes on, many people, many events, and many things will come across or around the road before you that you will come to call your life. Each and every one of those things will try and change you. Especially the people... and that’s where the challenge lies.

At some point, you must decide that you have had enough major input, and can start building the foundation that will become the “you” that you will live with for the better part of your life, the “you” that you will ultimately decide has something good, something unique and something beautiful to offer the people around you. The “you” that wish to be remembered as.

"... [many people] face a mirror and do not know who they’re looking at..."

The greatest tragedy many people face is that point in their lives when they face a mirror and do not know who they’re looking at. The funny thing is, when we look inwards and upon ourselves, we tend to get blinded by visions of what we believe we could be, could still be, or should be. But remember you this... A person is like a diamond, with many facets, all of which are truly yours, but it is that one facet that you will ultimately choose to be the face you will show that will help you define the direction you will take in your life.

You will know when the time is right, you will know when you’ve seen and heard enough to know what you want the rest of your life to be like. I don’t know when that is or will be. But when the moment is there, grab it. Grab your identity for all its faults, or its potential greatness. But most importantly, accept what you are, what you’ve become, be better, be greater, but always be yourself.

“Let the fish not envy the birds that soar across the skies and against the sun, for they will never know the wondrous world of the deep seas.”

‘catch you later, girl...

Love,

Dad


P.S. Congratulations, Marge... Last month, you started walking on your own! Well, just a few feet at first, but yeah...
P.P.S. i have more to say about this topic, but I'll stop herefor now...