o my dearest children, Nico, Tono, Anton, Marga and Mia,

In 1986, I went to EDSA because I wanted the Marcos dictatorship to end. Mostly, though, I wanted to experience the excitement of a rally, to sleep on cardboard and to go teary-eyed singing "Bayan Ko." However, I must admit that in 1986, I discovered I was Pinoy, and proud of it. I must admit also that in the ensuing years, I sort of put being Pinoy in the back burner of my life, concentrating instead on being a wife and mother to, as it turns out, children who speak English so much better than Filipino (not your fault at all, guys, this one was entirely Daddy's and my doing).

And then, by some miracle I was party again to another EDSA. As I stood there chanting "Erap Resign!" I thought, surely this was God's people, crying out to him for aid. Surely God too was angered and saddened by the malicious plan to corrupt his truth. Surely God, who loved this people, would hear.

The situation could have become explosive, nonetheless, there were bright moments. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that our people were now more discriminating towards officials in government. Not everyone who came to EDSA was welcomed with cheers. There were those who received lukewarm applause, at the most, and there were those who were rejected outright, that they simply had to retreat.

I was also very happy when Cardinal Sin said, "EDSA is holy ground. Stay in EDSA. Bring your families to EDSA," because from day one, I had wanted to bring you all there, that you may see and taste and touch this moment in our history. Daddy and I had to take you there, that you too may be blessed by it.

Yes, I believe that EDSA is sacred ground. I recognize how blessed our nation is, since twice we have been drawn into EDSA and invited to take off our sandals. Indeed, everything led to EDSA: Chavit's expose, Villar's coup in Congress, Clarissa Ocampo's courage and that of all the other witnesses, the tremendous amount of evidence that seemed to have poured in, even the 11-10 vote on that fateful envelope. The Erap camp must have thought they had it all worked out, but they had no idea that they were being used for heaven's purpose. Yes, even the eleven Senatraitors testified, in the end, to Romans 8:28. Our God is God of all, and how He loves His people!

Now, after the proverbial dust has settled, I am discovering new things. I am discovering that if I am to be Pinoy and proud of it, then I must be Pinoy sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa, kailanman at saanman, hindi lang sa EDSA. I am discovering that if I am to be Pinoy and proud of it, then I must work at it, in big things and small, sa hirap at ginhawa. If I want a stake in my nation's future, I must help to build it. If I love my country, then I must be loving to her. If I am to be Pinoy and proud of it, then that must be part of my legacy to you, my children.

Well, Erap is out of Malacanang and now faces trial for his actions. Gloria is President. The so-called EDSA3 has come and gone. The work now earnestly begins, and it looms large ahead of us. Gloria may not have been an overwhelmingly popular choice as President, nonetheless, she is, and so we must support her, her government, and everything that stands for. We must pray for her, as we must pray for every Filipino. And we must be watchful: of our leaders, of our compatriots, of ourselves. If she knows what's good for her, she will learn the lessons of EDSA and take righteousness and true service into the heart of her leadership. And if we know what's good for us, we too will learn the lessons of EDSA and take patriotism and personal initiative into the heart of our citizenship.

This, to me, is the meaning of EDSA. If this realization is made "and lived" by enough Filipinos to matter, then this, to us all, will be the miracle of EDSA. "If my people who bear my name humble themselves, and pray and look for me, and turn from their wicked ways then I myself will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their land." (2 Chron 7:14) Huwag na nating sayangin ito!

I love you guys, more than ever now after I stood there in EDSA fighting for all your tomorrows. You have no idea how much I love you. Remember though that all my love is just a reflection of the love of Him who loves you most. And we have no idea how much he loves us all.

Mom