Professional Documents
Culture Documents
01 Background
Author
of the
03 Content Presentation and
Analysis
Resurrection of Freedom
Restoration of Democracy
Historical Context of the Document
Problems
$26 Billion foreign debt
Insurgencies
Poverty
Unemployed
03
Content Presentation and
Analysis
Content Presentation
Benigno “Ninoy” Simeon Aquino Jr. - (died August 21, 1983)
(Ninoy Aquino)(Corazon’s Husband)
Speech is held 3 years after Ninoy Aquino’s death (September
18, 1986)
14 years ago which is 1972, The constitution was Suspended,
Shut down the Congress, detained anyone who spoke for
Democracy.
Ninoy was seen as a threat to Marcos
A President Turned Dictator and traitor to his oath =
Ferdinand Marcos (Presidential term: Dec 30 1965 - Feb 25
1986) (20-21 years)
Aquino was arrested, he was stripped, and was sent to solitary
confinement shortly after Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law
during 1972, his imprisonment lasted 7 years
Content Presentation
He went on a hunger strike that lasted 40 days to prove his determination
against President Marcos
3 years ago which was 1980, he suffered a heart attack in prison, he was then
granted permission from Imelda Marcos to leave the country to America but in
the process of Exile, he would spend 3 years in Boston happily with his family
He then came back to the Philippines after 3 years of exile in hopes of making a
peaceful offering to Marcos but was assassinated as he got out the plane, while
his family was still at Boston America.
His death lead to a revolution against Marcos which was later called “The People
Power Revolution” or famously known as EDSA Revolution.
She is giving the speech in The Congress of the United States in Washington DC
Content Presentation
Corazon Aquino lead a rally against Ferdinand Marcos winning of
the 1986 elections with 2 million people supporting her
Cheapest Revolution?
Content Analysis
How close was the author to the event being studied?
Cory Aquino was present and an eyewitness during the time of the Marcos dictatorship and totalitarianism in the
Philippines, as well as she, served as a prominent figure during the People Power Revolution. After winning the
presidency, she spoke to the Americans, and especially to the Filipinos, in her speech about what happened during the
events of Martial Law and the fight for freedom and democracy in our country.
The document also mentioned about the debt incurred by the former government before Cory Aquino. This
speech also shows how the dictator ship transforms into democratic government. From its president down to
its laws, order ,and rules. The document also mentioned the killing of Ninoy Aquino and the terror from torture
and conviction during the Martial Law.
It shows the problem faced by Cory Aquino as soon as she became the President. For instance the poverty
and unemployment. The document mentioned two elections occurred after the death of Ninoy Aquino. His
wife participated during the election and lose in the first election. During the second which is snap
election, she became the President and declares democracy in the Philippines.
CONTRIBUTION AND RELEVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT (CORAZON
AQUINO’S SPEECH BEFORE THE JOINT OF THE US CONGRESS) IN
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND NARRATIVE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Also this publication contributed to the Philippine History by tracing the country’s first steps toward restoring
democracy, which the Marcos regime had prohibited. This publication allows Filipinos to understand and
remember the brutal realities of the Marcos tyranny and as the country’s first female president, Corazon
Aquino’s speech had a great influence not just on the country but also on the words view of women in
leadership roles.
The document is relevant in the Philippine history especially in the diplomatic and political history since
this has arguably cemented the legitimacy of the EDSA government in the international arena. Moreover,
the ideology of the new democratic government can also be seen in the same speech. Furthermore, this
document contributed to the Philippine history as it also traced back the first step of the country to restore
the democracy that the Marcos government outlawed. This document allows the Filipino to people to know
and to not forget the harsh reality during the dictatorship of Marcos. Lastly, since Corazon Aquino was the
first female president of the country, her speech had a strong impact not just in the country but also on the
world's perception of women in power.
CONTRIBUTION AND RELEVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT (CORAZON
AQUINO’S SPEECH BEFORE THE JOINT OF THE US CONGRESS) IN
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND NARRATIVE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
The author’s main arguments focused on the constitutional and economic recovery of the country after the
dictatorship of Marcos. Corazon Aquino wanted to seek financial assistance from the Americans to help the
country recover. Moreover, Corazon’s speech was also to officially declare and mark the freedom of the Filipino
people and to express how the Filipino citizens united to take back the democracy that was taken away from
them during the Marcos’ era.
The document is relevant to the understanding of the history of our country and our fellow Filipinos. In my part,
I have learned more from what I read about her speech and the research I research about its background.
It is way relevant in understanding how our fellow Filipinos react to the Martial Law and start a
revolution. The Filipinos, can be brave and peaceful at the same time. And that these people know their
rights and their power. It is relevant in the sense that one great thing is still possible throughout the
history. That we can do the same when facing some dilemma and rise up against who holds us back.
CONTRIBUTION AND RELEVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT (CORAZON
AQUINO’S SPEECH BEFORE THE JOINT OF THE US CONGRESS) IN
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND NARRATIVE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
The document is relevant to the Philippine History especially in the diplomatic and political history since this
has arguably cemented the EDSA government in the international arena. Moreover, the ideology of the new
democratic government can also be seen in the same speech.
The document contributed to the Philippine History as it also traced back the first step of the country to restore
the democracy that the Marcos government outlawed. This document allows the Filipino people to know and to
not forget the harsh reality during the dictatorship of Marcos..
Lastly, since Corazon Aquino was the first female president of the country, her speech had a strong
impact not just in the country but also on the world’s perception of women in power.
References
Background of the Author
Alolod, F. (2020).This documents provides a clear summary of the Corazon Aquino's speech during her visit in the United States
after she won the Presidency. Studocu https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/university-of-st-la-salle/readings-in-philippine-
history/corazon-aquinos-speech-before-the-joint-session-of-the-united-states-congress/9926642
Aquino, C. (1986). President Corazon Aquino's Speech before the Joint Session of the U.S Congress. Iowa State
University.https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/2017/03/21/speech-before-the-joint-session-of-the-united-states-congress-sept-18-1986/
The Philippine Judiciary Foundation. (2011). The History of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court of the Philippines, Manila. Supreme
Court of the Philippines. https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/387/#:~:text=President%20Corazon%20C%2C%20Aquino%20proceeded,a
%20Provisional%20%E2%80%9CFreedom%E2%80%9D%20Constitution.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2022). Alternate titles: Maria Corazon Aquino, Maria Corazon Cojuangco. Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Corazon-Aquino