Little People, BIG DREAMS
CORAZON AQUINO Written by Maria Isabel Sรกnchez Vegara Illustrated by Ginnie Hsu
This is the story of a little girl born in a country with thousands of islands. The country is called the Philippines, and the girl was Maria Corazon, but everybody called her Cory.
At school, Cory learned how to write, count and take a step forward when it was needed. When one of her friends had to leave the city before giving a speech in front of the school, it was Cory who took the responsibility to speak for him.
She was still very young when her parents sent her to study abroad in America. Cory went on to gain a degree in Mathematics and French. But she had a great sense of justice, and returned home determined to become a lawyer.
Cory was studying law at university when she became close with a student as honest and as bold as her. His name was Benigno, which means ‘Good Man’. The people who loved him most called him Ninoy.
Cory and Ninoy were inseparable, and when Ninoy decided to become a politician to help improve the lives of all Filipinos, Cory sold her most beloved heirlooms to support him.
Before long, her husband was the toughest critic of a dishonest president who was ruining their country with his unfair laws. When Ninoy was arrested, Cory wrote her first speech and became his voice.
One day, the president decided that he would make all the decisions without listening to his people. He had turned into a dictator. After almost eight years in prison, Ninoy, Cory and their family were forced to leave the country.
The Aquinos moved to Boston where they spent the happiest three years of their lives. But Cory knew that Ninoy had to go home and try to restore democracy, giving power back to the people.
Sadly, Ninoy had just landed home when he was killed. Cory was now all alone and yet, she wasn’t. Millions of people threw aside their fear and stayed by her side at the funeral, showing her their love and support.
The task had fallen on Cory’s shoulders to continue her husband’s work, and she decided to run for president. When the greedy president faked the results of the election, she knew a revolution was about to start!
During four long days, millions of people armed with courage took to the streets and proclaimed Cory president of the Philippines. It was a victory for democracy and the end of a dictatorship!
The whole world was watching when Cory became the first female president of the Philippines.
There she was! The courageous woman who brought democracy back to the country with thousands of islands.
And by being brave, reliable and honest, little Cory wrote herself into the history books. And, more importantly, she wrote herself into the hearts of her people.
CORAZON AQUINO (Born 1933 • Died 2009)
c.1940
1979
1987
1996
Maria Corazon Sumulong Conjuangco was born near Manila in the
was known for corruption, and soon afterwards, his government declared
Philippines, as the sixth of eight children. Her parents owned a sugar
a law that stripped citizens of their democratic rights. He also arrested key
plantation and were one of the wealthiest families in the region, but
opposition, including Benigno, who spent seven years and seven months in
Corazon was unspoilt as a child. Studious and shy, she was sent to
prison. During this time, Corazon passed her husband’s notes to the press.
America aged 13, where she completed her high school studies and
When the Aquinos were finally able to leave, they relocated to America for
undergraduate degrees. When she returned to the Philippines, she
three years. But on their return to the Philippines in 1983, Benigno was killed.
enrolled in a law degree, where she became close to Benigno Aquino,
As Corazon gracefully dealt with her husband’s death, she became a symbol
a young journalist. They fell in love and had five children together – one
of hope and peace for her people. Standing up to Marcos, she challenged
son and four daughters. With Corazon by his side, Benigno moved into
him at the next election, winning over close members of his team. Corazon
politics and quickly became one of the country’s brightest young leaders,
was sworn into office in 1986, becoming the first female president of the
challenging the rule of the country’s president, Ferdinand Marcos. Marcos
Philippines, keeping the dream of a free Philippines alive.
Want to find out more about Corazon Aquino? Have a read of these great books:
Corazon Aquino: The Story of a Revolution by Lucy Komisar Corazon Aquino (Leading Ladies) by Julie Bach
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Concept and text © 2020 Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara. Illustrations © 2020 Ginnie Hsu. First Published in the UK in 2020 by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group. T 020 7700 6700 www.QuartoKnows.com
The Old Brewery, 6 Blundell Street, London N7 9BH, United Kingdom.
by Alba Editorial, s.l.u., Baixada de Sant Miquel, 1, 08002 Barcelona
First Published in Spain in 2020 under the title Pequeña & Grande Corazon Aquino
All rights reserved.
www.albaeditorial.es Published by arrangement with Alba Editorial, s.l.u. Translation rights arranged by IMC Agència Literària, SL All rights reserved. means, electrical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Set in Futura BT.
ISBN 978-0-7112-4683-6
Published by Katie Cotton • Designed by Karissa Santos Edited by Rachel Williams and Katy Flint • Production by Caragh McAleenan
135798462
Manufactured in Guangdong, China CC052020
Photographic acknowledgements (pages 28-29, from left to right) 1. Young Corazon, shared with permission from the Aquino family 2. Corazon Aquino with Ninoy, shared with permission from the Aquino family 3. Cory Aquino’s meeting at Luneta in Manila, Philippines permission from the Aquino family.
on January 31st, 1987 © 1987 Eric Bouvet/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images. 4. Corazon Aquino poses with her family, shared with
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