Jason Mervin G.

Abbu
BS in Autotronics CT_AT2U1

READING IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

PRESIDENT CORZON AQUINO SPEECH

DURING THE JOINT SESSION OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS

On September 18, 1986, Corazon Aquino delivered a speech before the US Congress in Washington, DC.
In her speech, Aquino thanked the United States for its support during the Philippine People Power
Revolution that led to her presidency. She also discussed the challenges her administration faced in
rebuilding the Philippines and addressing its economic and political issues.

Aquino stressed the importance of democracy and human rights, noting that her administration was
committed to upholding these values. She emphasized the need for the United States to continue
providing aid and support to the Philippines in its efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions and
improve its economy.

Aquino also addressed the issue of the US military bases in the Philippines, calling for a renegotiation of
the bases agreement to ensure that it was fair and equitable to both countries. She expressed her desire
for a stronger relationship between the United States and the Philippines based on mutual respect and
cooperation.

Overall, Aquino's speech before the US Congress highlighted the Philippines' commitment to democracy
and its desire for a strong partnership with the United States in achieving its goals.

1. Who is the author?

The speech of Corazon Aquino before the US Congress on September 18, 1986, was written by Aquino
herself, with input from her advisors and speechwriters. As the President of the Philippines, Aquino was
responsible for delivering the speech, and it reflected her own views and priorities as well as those of her
administration.

2. How does the author gender and socioeconomic class compare to the people about
whom he or she’s writing ?
Corazon Aquino was the author of the speech she delivered before the US Congress in 1986. In
terms of her gender, Aquino was a woman, and she was writing about the Philippines, a country that
had historically been led by men. As the first female president of the Philippines, Aquino brought a
unique perspective to the issues she was addressing, particularly with regard to gender equality and
women's rights. In terms of socioeconomic class, Aquino came from a wealthy and influential family in
the Philippines. However, she also had a deep understanding of the struggles and challenges faced by
the majority of the Filipino people, who were predominantly poor and marginalized. Overall, while
Aquino's gender and socioeconomic class differed from those of many of the people she was writing
about, her experiences and perspectives gave her a unique ability to understand and address the needs
of the Filipino people.
3. Who was the intended audience?
The intended audience for Corazon Aquino's speech before the US Congress on September 18,
1986, was the members of the US Congress and the American people. As the President of the
Philippines, Aquino was seeking support and aid from the United States to help rebuild her
country and address its economic and political challenges. She also wanted to strengthen the
relationship between the Philippines and the United States based on mutual respect and
cooperation.

By addressing the US Congress directly, Aquino hoped to convey the importance of the Philippines'
democratic values and the need for continued support from the United States. She also sought to
raise awareness among the American people about the situation in the Philippines and the
challenges facing her administration. Overall, Aquino's speech was intended to build a strong
partnership between the Philippines and the United States based on shared values and goals.

4. What unspoken assumptions does the text contain?

In the case of Corazon Aquino's speech before the US Congress on September 18, 1986, some
of the unspoken assumptions that the text contains may include the assumption that the
United States is a powerful and influential nation that can provide significant support to
the Philippines in its efforts to rebuild and strengthen its democracy, the assumption
that democracy and human rights are universal values that should be upheld by all
nations, including the Philippines and the United States, the assumption that the
Philippines is a sovereign nation that deserves respect and recognition from the
international community, including the United States.

5. When was the source composed?

The source in question is the speech delivered by Corazon Aquino before the US
Congress on September 18, 1986, in Washington, DC. Therefore, the source was
composed in 1986.

6. What is the historical context in which the source was written and read?
The historical context in which Corazon Aquino delivered her speech before the US Congress on
September 18, 1986, was one of political upheaval and transition in the Philippines. Aquino had
come to power earlier that year, following the People Power Revolution, which saw the ousting
of the long-ruling dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The speech was delivered at a time when the
United States was also facing significant challenges in its foreign policy, including the end of the
Cold War and increasing criticism of its support for authoritarian regimes in other parts of the
world. The speech therefore had implications not only for the Philippines but also for the
broader geopolitical landscape of the time. Overall, the speech was a reflection of the complex
and dynamic historical context of the Philippines and the United States in the mid-1980s, as
both nations were grappling with the aftermath of significant political changes and seeking to
establish new relationships based on shared values and goals.

7. Are the other contemporary sources to compare against this one?

Yes, there are likely many contemporary sources that could be used to compare against Corazon
Aquino's speech before the US Congress on September 18, 1986. Some potential sources might
include:

Other speeches or statements made by Aquino during her presidency, which could provide
additional context and insight into her views and policies.

Speeches or statements made by US officials or politicians around the same time, which could
provide a different perspective on the US-Philippines relationship and the issues discussed in
Aquino's speech.

News articles or opinion pieces published in major newspapers or magazines at the time, which
could provide a broader understanding of the political and social climate in both the Philippines
and the United States.

Academic or scholarly articles or books about the political, economic, and social conditions in
the Philippines during the mid-1980s, which could provide a more in-depth analysis of the
issues discussed in Aquino's speech and their broader historical significance.