A president abandoned by his nation. [Photo by Rappler] I am ignorant in my ways, of that I am convinced. People here and elsewhere have told me so. I agree, because my emotional and intellectual capacities do not comprehend.

The topic today is grief and compassion.

• grief, ɡrēf/, noun, deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone’s death. Synonyms: sorrow, misery, sadness, anguish, pain, distress, heartache, heartbreak,agony, torment, affliction, suffering, woe, desolation, dejection, despair.

I am also an apologist for President Aquino. I’ve been threatened with that description, as if it made me a villain, but I frankly don’t see the shame of supporting one’s nation, or the president of one’s nation. Even if it is controversial. Just because people are loud doesn’t make them right.

• a·pol·o·gist, əˈpäləjəst/, noun, a person who offers an argument in defense of something controversial. Synonyms: defender, supporter, upholder, advocate, proponent, exponent, propagandist, champion, campaigner.

It does not say jerk, half-wit, idiot…