Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, who died on Aug. 1 after a year-long battle with colon cancer, was laid in a “quasi-official ceremony” Aug. 5 after hundreds of thousands paid final respects to the unassuming former housewife who became an international icon for her role in restoring democracy in the Philippines in 1986. Even in death Aquino remains an inspiration to the people of the Philippines. Two separate resolutions were filed in the House of Representatives to declare her a national hero. Former political opponents offered words of conciliation and admiration. Former coup plotters and organizations from the left claimed her as a strong supporter of their cause, a leader in the fight against tyranny, and a part of their anti-dictatorship struggle. For ordinary Filipinos she remains the symbol of democracy, the most popular president the country has ever had, and the glimmer of hope for creating a more cohesive nation.