David J Serana composed this “serana,” an acrostic poem  outlined after the letters of the name of Cory Aquino, MARIA CORAZON CORY COJUANGCO AQUINO, the world icon of peace and democracy. She is the 11th President of the Republic of the Philippines. This is a poetic apotheosis offered on her death on August 1, 2009. She died at 76.  This “serana” is a form of classic poetry composed of epigrams in iambic pentameter. The verses end in heroic couplets and poetic triplets or tercets. (see “acrostic”, Wikipedia).

Cory Aquino is the first female President of the Republic of the Philippines and the first female President in Asia. As a simple woman and a housewife, she led a non-violent and peaceful People Power revolt in 1986 and ousted the twenty-years dictator, President Marcos. She had become an inspiration to all other nations in the world that launched their own People Power to remove their evil rulers.  Cory was the widow of the late Senator Benigno Aquino, the fiercest opposition leader who was assassinated by the military under Marcos in 1983.

            Cory’s simplicity and sincerity is her greatest character that made her the Woman of Peace. Her strong devotion and genuine piety forever confirms the power of faith in God that gives redemption to a nation. She remains to be the light of the Filipino people.

Serana To

MARIA CORAZON CORY COJUANGCO AQUINO

                                               -by poet David J Serana

Might never can oppress the humble heart

A simple life that is no complex art

Rules with a gentle hand, achieves our peace

In governance true justice to release

An icon of democracy to miss!

Come into power with the people’s voice

Our light in darkness, our anointed choice

Revered the woman of simplicity

Attests the rule without duplicity

Zeal of our love will eternize your name

Our faith in God will burn your brightest flame

No one to us will ever be the same

Chaste leader, world-renowned and best acclaimed

Our strength of hope, as nation’s mother, named

Restored the law and order of our land

Yield to no tyranny and ill command

Cause of our courage to pursue the fight

Over the night, our vision is in sight

Joined with our dreams to build the freedom land

Under your reign we rose to proudly stand

Achieve for us the pride that we can show

New sense of nationhood you did bestow

Go now to where our Father waits for you

Come to eternity to see you through

Our prayers and our love stay strong and true!

A nation’s saint! God’s lovely ornament

Quest to true freedom is your testament

Unrivalled leadership, so pure and meek

Instill to us your values that we seek

Now rest in peace and take our hope and love

Our faith that we unite again above

To contact the poet: David J Serana  email: david@serana.com