MANILA - The late President Corazon Aquino gave the Filipino people hope, which prevented the Philippines from falling into extreme poverty as a result of natural disasters and military uprisings during her six-year reign.

"Aside from leading the Philippine to a peaceful transformation to democracy, what's very important is she gave us hope... At that time, lahat ng mga tao were trying to work together," Aquino's former socioeconomic planning secretary Solita Monsod, told radio dzMM.

Monsod said it was Mrs. Aquino's undying spirit and strong heart that made everybody around her work for the country.
 
"One of the things I think now, in retrospect, was because so many people were really committed because she was committed. She had a commitment for change," she said.

She adding that during her stay at the Palace, Mrs. Aquino had no other agenda than to build the country's democratic institutions.

She, however, said Aquino's sacrifices could go to waste because her successors are not protecting these institutions, or worse, destroying them.

Monsod said Mrs. Aquino's unforgettable praise, "I'm proud to be a Filipino" is actually a message to all that Filipinos should work together to keep the democracy that she so bravely protected during her time, amid at least seven military uprisings.

Monsod urged the youth to “follow in her footsteps.”

“Please, you must love your country. And you must be proud of being a Filipino. You must work to help our country even before you help yourself,” she said.

Not afraid to die

Monsod said Mrs. Aquino was never afraid to die.

“Even here. Even in her last days, sabi niya ‘No more chemotherapy.’ She was not afraid to die,” she said.

Monsod remembered Aquino staying firm in Malacañang despite imminent threats to bomb the Palace during one of the military uprisings.

“Iniiwanan na siya. Sinasabihan na siya na bobombahin ang Malacañang. Umalis na siya diyan. Umalis ba siya? Hindi. Nakaupo siya doon, sab niya, ‘Hindi ako aalis,’” she said.