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Thursday, March 25, 2010

A timeless tribute



Corazon "Cory" Aquino, former President of the Philippines and international icon of democracy, passed away last August 1, 2009. In her honor, Swatch launched a commemorative collection of Cory wristwatches on the eve of what would have been her 77th birthday on January 25. The design of this 24-feet high signature watch is the design in one of the 2 watches that come in each set. The other features a yellow face with steel dials. Emblazoned on the watches are the words "Ipagpapatuloy ko" (which literally means "I shall continue," and presumably refers to the fight for human rights and the work of nation-building that Cory has exemplified). The set also comes with a picture book called "A Woman Dressed in Sunshine," written by Teddy Boy Locsin, who served as her spokesman and speechwriter.

There are only 801 sets of Cory Swatches, and each set costs Php 8, 1000 (roughly $160). The numbers 8 and 1 correspond to the day of her death, August 1. The watches were designed by Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, chairman emeritus of Ayala Corporation, and whose family supported Cory during the final days of the Marcos dictatorship. "How does one put a heroic life into a watch?" Zobel de Ayala was quoted as saying. Well I suppose he started with Cory's signature color - yellow, and the rest, as they say, was history.



4 comments:

Don and Krise said...

Wow, that is quite the honor. I can't remember the last time I heard of a watch being made in someone's honor. Are you going to buy one?

Hilda said...

Suddenly, the 6-ft high Sesqui Swatch we have in our office looks downright puny. :)

Great tribute to Cory & Ninoy. It's a little to much for me, but care for some yellow ribbon stickers, fans & lanterns instead? :)

mia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mia said...

Hi Don and Krise! Even if I wanted to, I don't think there's any more left. The stocks sold faster than hotcakes :)

Hi Ma'am Hilda! I haven't seen the Sesqui watch! Have you featured it in your blog? :)