OFW breaks work protocol to take a picture with Cory

MANILA - Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) around the world mourned when they learned that former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino passed away on August 1, 18 month after it was announced that she had colon cancer.

Just moments after her death, there was an outpouring of support and grief from OFWs all over the world. They also shared fond memories of their experiences with Aquino when she was alive.

One such OFW was Didith Macapagal Marasigan, a long-time fan of Aquino who worked in Singapore as a Guest Services Executive at the Meritus Mandarin Singapore hotel. In an e-mail sent to ABS-CBN, Marasigan recalled how Aquino had visted their hotel in 2007, along with her daughter Ma. Elena "Ballsy" Cruz.

She said the international staff were abuzz with excitement. "They know Tita Cory and they even know [the] Laban sign (a symbol of protest after the assassination of her husband, Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.) I am so proud to be Filipino because of that. Ilearned more about her and started to admire her. Then it's always been a dream to see her personally but to no avail," she said.

Marasigan shared that although she was too young to understand what the February 1986 EDSA revolution meant, she grew to admire Aquino after hearing about her in the news.

Marasigan said she pleaded with her boss to let her be the one to assist the president and her entourage during their stay at the hotel. On the day Aquino was set to arrive, she said she could not contain her smile as she waited for Aquino to be picked up from the airport and brought to the hotel.

"She came with her daughter Ballsy and a friend. I greeted her with all smile[s] amd admiration. It was a dream come true for me and I feel like I am walking on clouds while I am leading their way with my manager. Tita Cory asked me how I was and then she saw my name tag and asked me if I am a Filipino. She told me I don't look like one... I answered yes and I am proud to be [Filipino]," she shared.

Curious about her middle name (Macapagal), Aquino also asked her if she was related to former President Diosdado Macapagal or if she was "Kapampangan" (from Pampanga). "She was so nice and you can feel it inside. She was so down-to-earth and you can feel like she's a mother you can really talk to," Marasigan said.

Though Marasigan was not allowed to take pictures with dignitaries as part of their hotel protocol, Aquino herself offered to do so.

"I quickly got my mobile phone from my cheongsam (a body-hugging Chinese dress) and her friend told me that she'll take our picture. I am so happy and honored that after long years of dreaming to see her, now it is a reality. I am very happy Tita Cory had that aura of peace and happiness that will touch your heart. No wonder everybody loves her," she said.

"Thank you Tita Cory, I am proud of you and proud to be a Filipino," Marasigan said. abs-cbnNEWS.com. Photos courtesy of Didith Macapagal Marasigan.