Cory Aquino: An Eulogy for a Fly.

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Today is a sad day for many as the former Philippine President, Cory Aquino is finally laid to rest. Though serious in its occasion, I can't help but wonder at the overrated reaction of my fellow Filipinos. I mean, why so serious? It's just an eulogy for a fly. And what do I mean about this? Let's look at a snippet of history... Publius Vergilius Maro or widely known as the Great Roman Poet Vergil, writer of the one of the most famous epic poem Aenid, sponsored a lavish funeral for a common housefly he claim to be his favorite pet. the funeral was held in Vergil's splendid mansion on Esquiline Hill in Rome. An orchestra was on hand to soothe the paid moruners and many celebrities attended, among them Vergil's patron, Maecenas, who gave a long eulogy for the fly. To cap it off, Vergil himself wrote several poems for the occasion and read them. The fly was buried in a special mausoleum where the entire extravaganza cost Vergil an estimate of 800,000 cesterces (probably around $100,000). So what motivated this funeral for a fly? Vergil may have known in advance that the government - the second triumvirate of Octavius, Ledipus, and Mark Anthony - planned to confiscate the property of the rich and parcel it out to war veterans. One exception was that no grounds containing burial plots were to be touched. When this law came to pass, Vergil sought exemption because there was a mausoleum in his land. The exemption was granted and Vergil's housefly saved his master's property. This I got from an anecdote. To think of it, who is truly benefiting from Mrs. Aquino's funeral? For one, the politicians, prominent people, wannabe's and the media. As politicians show their sympathy, so does the masses' sympathy goes to them on election day. For prominent people, their sympathy shows them as good-natured citizens so they become even more famous. for wannabe's, the same. As for the media, well you know. More ratings equal more sponsors. On the other hand, the extravagant funeral, for one who is already dead, is senseless. The dead don't care for the living. Enough said. Now, as for her claimed heroism... that's another question. Her act of heroism for the people has already gone to pass. We face new challenges where her past deed has created new problems. Who do you think has placed the current president to power?