1. Who wrote the speech?

Discuss the background of the author 

Corazon "Cory" Aquino was the Philippines' first female president, serving from 1986 to 1992.
She was the widow of Benigno Aquino Jr., an opposition leader during the Ferdinand Marcos
dictatorship. She was born in Paniqui, Tarlac, Philippines on January 25, 1933. She earned a bachelor's
degree in French with a minor in mathematics from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York in
1953. In 1986, Time magazine awarded her "Woman of the Year" for representing the Filipino people's
desire for change after nearly two decades of authoritarian government.

2. Discuss the historical background of the document. What happened before the speech?

On September 18, 1986, Cory Aquino made a historic speech to the United States Congress.
Cory's presidency was on shaky ground at the moment, as it was the first post-EDSA People Power
Revolutionary Government. Because of widespread unemployment and poverty, the economic scenario
she inherited from the Marcos administration was in shambles. A coup attempt is also underway,
backed by some Marcos loyalists, just five months after taking government. Furthermore, despite the
release of political inmates, particularly CPP-NPA members, the communist insurgency continues to
grow.

3. Discuss the relationship of US with Marcos and Aquino. 

For the majority of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos' two-decade administration, the United
States was an ally of the late dictator, with the country spending half of that time under deadly martial
law. When the Aquino administration took power, the US and the government immediately became
closer because the US-backed it up by denouncing all of the Marcos government's wrongdoings. The
United States exerted pressure on President Marcos and became critical of his handling of the crisis
throughout the previous 20 years of rule. On the other hand, through cooperative initiative agreements
aimed at boosting both nations' relations, the US and the Aquino alliance continued to expand and
sustain their upward trajectory.

4. What are the key points of the Speech? What is the main reason for Aquino going to the US Congress?

The speech begins with an overview of her husband's killing, whom the Filipino country
regarded as the anti-Marcos movement's leader, as well as their struggles in assisting the Philippines in
achieving independence. She spoke about the achievement in restoring democracy after President
Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s tyranny, as well as the ongoing communist insurgency fueled by massive
economic inequalities. She brought up the prior government's 26 billion dollars in foreign debt, which
was constantly increasing. She also praised the United States for assisting in the construction of a new
democratic home in our country. The main objective of Aquino's visit to the US Congress was to make a
plea for assistance in assisting the Philippines to recover from the economic crisis that occurred during
the Marcos administration.

5. Why we can consider America the real winner after the speech? 

America can be considered the real winner because of the credit given by President Cory Aquino
with regards to aiding the Philippines in restoring and preserving the democracy in the country. On top
of that, she honored the Philippine debt from the US which subsequently can be used for their own
strategic interests.

6. Discuss the contribution of the speech to the general narrative of Philippine History.

The document sheds light on how Filipinos fought for independence under and after the Marcos
rule. In response to the speech, the US Congress provided the Philippines with an initial award of $200
million in emergency funding to aid in economic development. The US also reaffirmed its commitment
to support the Philippines' security under the mutual defense treaty. It bolstered the administration's
foreign policy in general, as well as the US-Philippine’s political, economic, and social links.