YELLOW is the new black. For a nation in mourning, yellow has become the color of unity, promise and peace.

I?m sure we will all remember Tita Cory?s funeral as we were all united in creating a bit of history. Whether you joined the queue in the rain on the yellow-swathed roads, or just watched the rival networks? tear-inducing coverage from home, or Facebooked during the Internet live stream from your part of the globe, we were all brought together to honor this amazing woman, Cory Aquino.

I was in Cebu, unable to attend the funeral, as I had committed to attend the topping-off ceremony for the new Hotel Elizabeth. Luckily, my mom, Marixi Prieto, my husband Dennis and I were able to attend the first evening Mass at La Salle for our beloved former president, and I was able to condole with Kris and her family.

Kris and I have been friends for more than a decade, a friendship forged in late-night visits to Baclaran. I have seen her through the ups and downs, and the unwavering support of her mother even when the latter was not fully in favor of her relationships. I was glad to see how well Kris handled herself at the funeral.

Although I was in Cebu, it was impossible not to feel part of the throng. The TV coverage was exhaustive and Facebook was a social revelation. There were so many uploaded photos and videos, all the experiences of individuals who wanted to share their moment with Cory.

I was hooked reading the updates and looking at photos, videos and graphic art contributed by so many. A young graphic artist, Revo Naval, posted his redesigned P500 bill, with Cory beside Ninoy Aquino. Check out www.peaceloveandrevolution.com for more images.

Virgie Ramos of Swatch, a longtime friend of Tita Cory, told me of their incredible, nine-hour bus ride as part of the funeral cortege, surrounded by multitudes chanting ?Cory! Cory! Cory!? It?s amazing how one person can unite a divided nation into a country of proud Filipinos.

Now that the funeral is over, Celda Santos, daughter of Passy Teopaco, and I will resume our biking sessions with coach Paolo Defensor. Life has to go on, which brings another color to my mind ? green, the color of life.

We are all working hard to create a greener world. Ayala Malls, for instance, has come up with Greenology. Marivic Añonuevo, Ayala Malls SVP, explains that this is not about the study of the color, but about showcasing earth-friendly events that help save the environment.

Pro-environment designers

Eco Tote is one project. Fashion designers Louis Claparols, Michi Calica-Sotto, Vic Barba, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Jun Escario and Randy Ortiz from the Filipino Zone in Greenbelt 5 were commissioned to create a reusable bag for each Ayala Mall. The bags are sold at P400, and Ayala Malls contributes P100 of this to World Wildlife Fund.

The designers also partnered with different organizations in support of their environment campaign. Claparols adopted The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), an organization that develops awareness and compassion for animals in the country, while Calica-Sotto engaged Earth Day Network, an environment campaign pushing proper waste management.

Meanwhile, Barba tapped Gift and Graces Fair Trade Foundation, an organization that provides product development and market access to marginalized communities, and Ramos-Diaz supported Haribon Foundation?s Gift of Trees project under the Road to 2020 movement, aiming to restore one million hectares of rainforest with native tree species by 2020.

Not to be left out, Escario supported Gasa sa Gugma, home of the destitute and dying elderly, by providing them basic necessities such as food, bedding and toiletries. Ortiz partnered with the shoemakers of Marikina City, tapping the legendary cobblers known all over the world for their superior craftsmanship.

Eco Dash

Another green way in saving Mother Earth is the Eco Dash, a fun run open to all patrons of Ayala Malls, runners and non-runners alike, on September 13, starting 5 a.m. at Bonifacio High Street. In partnership with Bantay Kalikasan, Globe and Ayala Land, Ayala Malls? Eco Dash is inviting everyone to race against time to save the earth. Runners may choose from among four distances: 3K, 5K, 10K or even a harrowing 21K half marathon.

Continuing on with their eco theme, Ayala Malls also has Eco Art. Renowned artists Alma Quinto, Pete Jimenez, Mac Valdezco and Ral Arrogante display their edgy art pieces all over the malls, featuring sculptures and 3-D models. I guess it?s all meant to make you feel green while exercising your credit cards. But truly, Ayala Malls does a great job being eco-friendly and eco-chic, educating the young about sustainability and environmental issues.

Green is truly the color of the new day. I can just picture the undulating fairways of the Tagaytay Highlands golf courses and leisure parks. Developed by Belle Corporation over 15 years ago, Highlands continues to enthrall with its new projects, the latest of which is Cotswold.

Cotswold, named after a beautiful area of rolling hillsides sometimes referred to as the ?Heart of England,? is Belle?s way of promoting a housing complex devoted to wellness and promoting a healthy family lifestyle. Just like its English namesake, Belle?s Cotswold is all about natural beauty and calm surroundings.

At the Cotswold launch at Podium, which was supported by Chris Sports, Nike and Folded and Hung, I learned that each Cotswold property comes with a proprietary share of the Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club, the complex?s premiere 18-hole course. Even better, Tagaytay Midlands members have access to the world-class amenities at the Tagaytay Highlands Golf and Country Clubs.

Colors can really represent our dreams, hopes and desires. Yellow and green can both be so positive. What other colors can be in our future?

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph