Tens of thousands of mourners lined the streets of Manila to witness former President Cory Aquino’s cortege make her final journey to Manila Memorial Park, to be laid to rest next to her husband, the late Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino.

 

Tita Cory as she will be fondly remembered, passed away on Saturday 1^st of August 2009 to Colon Cancer, aged 76.

 

The necrological service on the eve of the funeral, remembered Cory Aquino as a best friend, a caring boss and most of all, a source of strength. Manila Cathedral in Intramuros was filled with family and close friends to share their eulogies about the former President.

Most notable was the eulogy given by Mel Mamaril, Cory’s close-in security of 23 years. He praised her for being a caring boss and that she would always take care of others around her, despite her own pain. He said “She was always very concerned about others… (she) raised my dignity as a person.” Mamaril gave his boss a final salute after his eulogy.

Senator Noynoy Aquino also offered his eulogy to his mother at the service. He said “Kung titingnan ang buhay ng aking ina, patunay na hindi dapat manatali ang bayan sa kasalukuyang kinalalagyan (My mother’s life was proof that the country should not be contented with its current state). The senator said there was nothing wrong if Filipinos “get involved and fight for justice.”*

 

The funeral mass followed the next day on Wednesday 5^th of August where over a 1,000 government officials, including her successors Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, diplomats, priests, nuns and visiting dignitaries gathered at the Manila Cathedral. Screens and speakers were installed outside the cathedral so that mourners who had travelled to the site could be a part of the solemn and personal service. 

 

The mass officiated by Bishop Socrates Villegas, included ten of the country’s leading artists to pay song tributes to the icon of democracy. All songs were performed with Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and backed by the Ateneo Chamber singers. Zsa Zsa Padilla’s “Hindi Kita Malilimutan” (I Will Never Forget You) reduced the family to tears with her heartfelt performance; and Lea salonga’s rendition of “Bayan Ko” (My Country) brought back the nostalgia of EDSA 86.

 

Though, it was Kris’ eulogy which caught the emotions of everyone in the cathedral.  As the youngest and in her words the ‘Prodigal Daughter’ she spoke of how even though she had so many wrong-doing’s in her past, her mother was always there to guide and support her. She thanked her for this, as it taught her to become more supportive of others and to find the qualities her mother had in herself. Kris thanked her siblings and their families for always taking care of Cory. It was touching and most of all honest.

 

Towards the end she said “I love you mom. I thank you for the privilege of being your child. And for every day that I will be missing you, I will remind myself that my greatest gift to you will be living a life that will make you proud that I am your daughter. Dad, please take care of mom, it’s your turn now. You were her one and only love, and now that you are together again… no matter how painful it is for us to let her go, we are comforted knowing that mom is happy to be reunited with you. I love you mom. Goodbye mom. Maraming Salamat at Paalam.”

 

 

 

After the mass, Cory’s body was carried through the city in a near to 9 hours procession to fulfill her wish to be buried at Manila Memorial Park next to her husband. Cory’s cortege was flanked by 4 honor guards from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, who defied their own tiredness and the elements to stand by her for the whole journey. A resolution has been filed at the Senate to commend them for their public service.

 

 

Even though there was a downpour of heavy rain, thousands of people still continued to line the streets to show their love and bid their farewells. Many wore yellow, displayed their ‘Laban’ signs and cheered ‘Cory Cory Cory’.  It was a great tribute to the lady who is held dearly the ‘Mother of the Nation’.

 

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LINKS:

Kris’ Eulogy for her mother

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/169091/Kris+emosyunal+sa+pamamaalam+sa+inang+si+Cory

 

* http://www.gmanews.tv/story/169025/Friends-family-extol-Cory-during-necrological-service

 

Posted on 7 August 2009 by Lani in Events, History, Politics

Tagged cory aquino, funeral, kris aquino, noynoy aquino, tita cory