Democracy Icon and Former President Corazon Aquino Laid To Rest
Millions of Filipinos witnessed yesterday, Aug. 5, 2009, about nine hours of procession from the Manila Cathedral after the last Mass for her was held to the Manila Memorial Park where the democracy icon, a good mother and wife, a lady who's self-acclaimed to be just a "simple housewife", former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino laid to rest.
Even during the mass, a heavy rainfall didn't stop her supporters who waited outside the Manila Cathedral to show their respect and love for their Tita Cory. Not just in the Manila Cathedral her supporters waited amidst the rainfall, but also in the streets (where and estimated of 300,000 people waited and watched) her flag-draped coffin at the top of a flatbed truck decorated with white and yellow flowers passed. The people eventually followed the truck until they reached Manila Memorial Park.
Mrs. Aquino's remains reached the Manila Memorial Park about 8 o'clock in the evening where about 600 priests, nuns and seminarians linked arms around the Aquino mausoleum at the Manila Memorial Park to keep back the crowd who followed the flatbed truck.
Even as the bereaved family didn't accept the State Funeral offered by the Malacañang, Mrs. Aquino was given full military honors by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
She was laid at the tomb beside her beloved husband, the late opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, who was gunned down by forces loyal to former dictator Ferdinand Marcos at Manila airport (now NAIA) in 1983 upon returning from exile in the US. Even in her death, she stayed simple. Her tomb was a great example where it was simply painted white. Right after she was laid inside the tomb, she was given a 21-gun salute by the honor guards.
Relatives, friends, supporters and military commanders placed yellow roses inside the tomb before it was sealed. The crowd sang the patriotic song "Bayan Ko (My Country)," a popular song during the Marcos regime.
Goodbye Cory! We will truly miss you.
Even during the mass, a heavy rainfall didn't stop her supporters who waited outside the Manila Cathedral to show their respect and love for their Tita Cory. Not just in the Manila Cathedral her supporters waited amidst the rainfall, but also in the streets (where and estimated of 300,000 people waited and watched) her flag-draped coffin at the top of a flatbed truck decorated with white and yellow flowers passed. The people eventually followed the truck until they reached Manila Memorial Park.
Mrs. Aquino's remains reached the Manila Memorial Park about 8 o'clock in the evening where about 600 priests, nuns and seminarians linked arms around the Aquino mausoleum at the Manila Memorial Park to keep back the crowd who followed the flatbed truck.
Even as the bereaved family didn't accept the State Funeral offered by the Malacañang, Mrs. Aquino was given full military honors by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
She was laid at the tomb beside her beloved husband, the late opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, who was gunned down by forces loyal to former dictator Ferdinand Marcos at Manila airport (now NAIA) in 1983 upon returning from exile in the US. Even in her death, she stayed simple. Her tomb was a great example where it was simply painted white. Right after she was laid inside the tomb, she was given a 21-gun salute by the honor guards.
Relatives, friends, supporters and military commanders placed yellow roses inside the tomb before it was sealed. The crowd sang the patriotic song "Bayan Ko (My Country)," a popular song during the Marcos regime.
Goodbye Cory! We will truly miss you.
may her soul rest in peace and her legacy of democracy live on!
ReplyDeleteagree :)
ReplyDeleteOur beloved Cory Aquino will forever live in our hearts. Forget about her shortcomings in her administration. Her legacy was the restoration of the Philippine freedom. I saw the video of her speech at the U.S. Congress and it was really historical which really touched me. The first for a visiting leader to have a long standing ovation. My admiration for her cannot be measured. She is my hero and I love her for what she has done to our country.
ReplyDeleteThat day, I heard the U.S. approved a $200 million aid to our country.
My sincerest condolences to the Aquino family.
I was one of those who demonstrated against the Marcos regime, saw it fall,and I should say, as a result of Ninoy's death, and through his wife,restored democracy in our country. The Aquino couple gave their lives for the Filipinos.... the Couple in power now should have done it too!
ReplyDeleteSigh. So sad, condolences
ReplyDeleteMa'm Cory is a great Woman not only for her family and also for the Filipino People...
ReplyDelete