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 Corazon Aquino, widely known as Cory Aquino, was the first female President of the Philippines and Asia’s first female president. She is a world-
renowned advocate of democracy, peace, women's empowerment, and religious piety.
A self-proclaimed "plain housewife," Aquino is the widow of Senator Benigno
Aquino, Jr., a leading figure in the political opposition against the autocratic rule
of President Ferdinand Marcos. After her husband was assassinated upon his
return from exile on August 21, 1983, Aquino, who had no prior political
experience, became a focal point and unifying force of the opposition against
Marcos.
She was drafted to run against Marcos in the 1986 snap presidential elections, and was proclaimed President in the peaceful 1986 EDSA Revolution.
In 1986, Aquino was also voted Time Magazine’s Woman of the Year and
nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In her post-presidency, Aquino has
received several awards and citations, including designation as one of the 20
Most Influential Asians of the 20th Century and as one of 65 Great Asian Heroes
by Time Magazine.
Aquino currently leads the PinoyME Foundation, a non-profit
organization involved in microfinance. She also oversees social welfare and scholarship assistance projects through the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation, and
good governance advocacy through the EDSA People Power Commission, and
the People Power People Movement. Aquino has five children and is a skilled
painter.
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