MANILA, Philippines?In a tribute to a beloved President, a ?grateful nation? presented former President Cory Aquino with a musical on Saturday night that traced her life from a sheltered, rich girl to a leader of a movement that toppled the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.

?Sabi ni Ninoy (Ninoy said) the Filipino is worth dying for. But what is worth living for when once again death is at my door?? singer-actress Isay Alvarez, who played Aquino in the stage production, wondered in the opening scene of ?Cory The Musical.?

The former President, who was seated near the stage of Meralco Theater, would answer the question in a short speech after the finale.

?There are times when I think I?ve already done everything for country. I also think that love for country never ends. But I cannot join the protest marches,? she said, flashing a wide smile. ?Sometime, maybe, when I have regained my health.?

Like in the good old days, chants of ?Cory, Cory? greeted Aquino, who came in her signature yellow dress.

Directed by Nestor Torre and produced by Lourdes dela Llana Pimentel, who also wrote the music, ?Cory The Musical? stars Alvarez as Cory, Sherwin Sozon as Ninoy Aquino, Robert Seña as Ferdinand Marcos, and Pinky Marquez as Imelda Marcos.

?We, the cast, the production crew, all of us, we are doing this for love of Cory,? Torre told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

?It must be providential?

In 1987, musical director Leo Quinitio was to receive the Cadet of the Year award from then President Aquino during rites scheduled in time with the Philippine Military Academy?s graduation ceremonies.

A few days before the awarding rites, Quinitio, who was a student of the University of the Philippines, and the other awardees were called to a rehearsal at the PMA grandstand in Baguio City.

They were in the middle of the rehearsal when a bomb ripped off a portion of the grandstand, killing four people and wounding over a dozen others. Quinitio was among those severely wounded.

?I finally received my award from President Aquino, in a hospital bed,? Quinitio recalled. ?It must be providential.?

Something she doesn?t have

Pimentel, who is married to Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., said she decided to write and produce the musical after Aquino was diagnosed with cancer of the colon early this year.

?I thought of giving her something to show appreciation for all that she has done. But what could I give her that she didn?t already have?? Pimentel said.

She said the idea of a ?musical tribute? was finalized after meetings and consultations with friends in the music industry, including Inquirer entertainment columnist Torre, who agreed to direct and write the lyrics in collaboration with Noelani Torre, who also writes for the newspaper.

?Surprise us?

Pimentel said she also offered to send Aquino a copy of the script, but the Aquinos declined to go over it.

?Surprise us,? Pimentel quoted the former President?s daughter, Ballsy, as saying.

Pimentel said the script was not as ?comprehensive? as she would want it to be due to time constraints. ?But at least that leaves room for many more productions of this genre for Cory?s story is inspiring and worth telling.?

Torre said the script was based on published interviews and articles about Aquino and her husband.

Family in anguish

At least two poems written by Ninoy while in solitary confinement were turned into duets by Alvarez and Sozon.

The poems ?Pick Up Your Cross? and ?Candle of Life? spoke of the anguish of a family separated by a cruel turn of politics.

In his life, in fact, Ninoy was often torn between love of country and love of family. In most instances, love of country prevailed, leaving Cory to raise the family almost alone.

?Cory The Musical? also stars Sheila Parducho, Lou Veloso, Andy Bais and Rito Asilo, who also choreographed the dance scenes, including a lighthearted courtship scene with Cory and Ninoy dancing the fox trot.

?Cory The Musical? will be onstage at 8 p.m. Monday at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City. It will be presented again on Jan. 16 and 17, 2009.