MANILA - The torch of the Aquino legacy has been passed on to Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and his sister, showbiz personality Kris Aquino-Yap.
In a tearful farewell to her mother, Kris vowed that she and Noynoy will carry on the mission left behind by the late president.
“You and I will have to pursue what had been started (by our mother),” Kris told Noynoy during the funeral Mass for the late president at the Manila Cathedral on Wednesday. “In our last conversation with our mom, I promised that whatever support you needed, I will be there for you.”
She also jokingly told Noynoy, the only Aquino son and still a bachelor, to forego marriage. “I hope you understand. You are now Josh’s security blanket,” Kris added. Josh is Kris’s first-born son.
Final farewell
Thousands of people outside the Manila Cathedral heard mass for the late president and bid their farewell. Under the cover of umbrellas and whatever shelter they could find, they endured the lashing rains as a sign of tribute to Cory.
Confetti rained down as the hearse left the Cathedral, with some people flashing the Laban sign and chanting Cory’s name. Cameras flicked and placards with Cory’s image were waved by her supporters.
Hundreds of mourners in yellow T-shirts joined the procession towards the Manila Memorial Park, the final resting place of Cory’s remains. She will be interred beside her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
In thanking the Filipino people for their support and sympathy for their loss, Kris echoed her father’s words.
“You (the Filipino people) have given our family honor beyond anything that we could hope to receive. For my family, the Filipinos are worth it,” she said.
Last wish
She said her it was her mother’s wish that the family thank the Filipino people.
Extolling her mother’s virtues, Kris said the late president showed that one does not have to be in power to be of service.
A believer of Filipino fortitude in the face of challenges, Cory pursued her father’s scholarship foundation for poor and deserving students, Kris said. She also pointed out that her mother sought to empower women with livelihood program and micro-financing.
To the nation, Kris said her mother was a true champion of democracy and would not stand idly by if freedom is threatened by “excesses of power.”
To her, “silence and passivity were never options.”
Battle vs. cancer
To her family, Cory was the bedrock of silent strength. Kris said Cory “bravely concealed pain from us,” and never showed vulnerability despite the onslaught of cancer. Cory died after more than a year-long battle against colon cancer.
Her mother, Kris said, was self-sacrifice personified--for the best of the country’s interests, her family, and her own personal travails. “I am proud of you…always sacrificing personal interests for the one you love.”
Cory’s brother, former Tarlac Rep. Jose Cojuangco, related in necrological rites Tuesday that Cory rejected persuasions for her to seek the presidency in 1992. Cory only saw her role as restorer of the country’s democracy after two decades of dictatorship.
Kris said she “lied” to her mother when she told her “to let go” and meet the Creator.
“I lied to you when I said we would be okay. We wanted you to be free from pain,” Kris said. In a previous interview, Kris said a slight touch would cause pain to her mother.
She said that “it will take a lifetime for us to be okay because we will forever miss you.”
In a tearful farewell to her mother, Kris vowed that she and Noynoy will carry on the mission left behind by the late president.
“You and I will have to pursue what had been started (by our mother),” Kris told Noynoy during the funeral Mass for the late president at the Manila Cathedral on Wednesday. “In our last conversation with our mom, I promised that whatever support you needed, I will be there for you.”
She also jokingly told Noynoy, the only Aquino son and still a bachelor, to forego marriage. “I hope you understand. You are now Josh’s security blanket,” Kris added. Josh is Kris’s first-born son.
Final farewell
Thousands of people outside the Manila Cathedral heard mass for the late president and bid their farewell. Under the cover of umbrellas and whatever shelter they could find, they endured the lashing rains as a sign of tribute to Cory.
Confetti rained down as the hearse left the Cathedral, with some people flashing the Laban sign and chanting Cory’s name. Cameras flicked and placards with Cory’s image were waved by her supporters.
Hundreds of mourners in yellow T-shirts joined the procession towards the Manila Memorial Park, the final resting place of Cory’s remains. She will be interred beside her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
In thanking the Filipino people for their support and sympathy for their loss, Kris echoed her father’s words.
“You (the Filipino people) have given our family honor beyond anything that we could hope to receive. For my family, the Filipinos are worth it,” she said.
Last wish
She said her it was her mother’s wish that the family thank the Filipino people.
Extolling her mother’s virtues, Kris said the late president showed that one does not have to be in power to be of service.
A believer of Filipino fortitude in the face of challenges, Cory pursued her father’s scholarship foundation for poor and deserving students, Kris said. She also pointed out that her mother sought to empower women with livelihood program and micro-financing.
To the nation, Kris said her mother was a true champion of democracy and would not stand idly by if freedom is threatened by “excesses of power.”
To her, “silence and passivity were never options.”
Battle vs. cancer
To her family, Cory was the bedrock of silent strength. Kris said Cory “bravely concealed pain from us,” and never showed vulnerability despite the onslaught of cancer. Cory died after more than a year-long battle against colon cancer.
Her mother, Kris said, was self-sacrifice personified--for the best of the country’s interests, her family, and her own personal travails. “I am proud of you…always sacrificing personal interests for the one you love.”
Cory’s brother, former Tarlac Rep. Jose Cojuangco, related in necrological rites Tuesday that Cory rejected persuasions for her to seek the presidency in 1992. Cory only saw her role as restorer of the country’s democracy after two decades of dictatorship.
Kris said she “lied” to her mother when she told her “to let go” and meet the Creator.
“I lied to you when I said we would be okay. We wanted you to be free from pain,” Kris said. In a previous interview, Kris said a slight touch would cause pain to her mother.
She said that “it will take a lifetime for us to be okay because we will forever miss you.”
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/05/09/torch-passed-noynoy-kris
0 comments:
Post a Comment