Military Honors

MANILA, Philippines—Former President Corazon Aquino was buried Wednesday night beside the only man she loved, after a huge outpouring of public affection that rivaled the funeral of her martyred husband 26 years ago.
The funeral of the woman simply called Cory lasted nine hours, just shy of the 11 hours it took to bury assassinated opposition leader Benigno S. “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in August 1983.
But the marathon procession in the rain that preceded Cory’s interment at Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City unleashed an unprecedented display of love for her that even their children felt that, once again, Cory had surpassed Ninoy.
“They must be laughing in heaven,” Eldon Cruz, Aquino’s son-in-law, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. He said the Aquinos’ departed relatives must be making fun of Ninoy in heaven and telling him: “Talo ka kay Cory (You lost out to Cory).”
Cory was finally laid to rest beside Ninoy at the family mausoleum at 8:35 p.m. amid chants of “Cory, Cory” from her supporters, who burst through a military and police cordon to get as close as possible to the ceremony.
During the Requiem Mass at Manila Cathedral earlier, the Aquinos’ youngest child, TV actress Kris Aquino, said between sobs that her parents must now be happy to be together again, adding: “Dad ... you were her one and only love.”
Legions of mourners estimated by foreign news agencies at hundreds of thousands paid homage to Cory during the procession that began at Manila Cathedral. Estimates of the crowd at the 1983 funeral ranged up to two million.
Simple tomb
Cory, who died at age 76 after a battle with colon cancer, was interred in a simple cement tomb.
The mausoleum itself has no walls or gates and is made of ordinary off-white floor tiles, unlike neighboring mausoleums adorned with bricks and marbles.
It was Cory’s idea to keep the mausoleum simple, park manager Lamberto Pena said. “She wanted it to be simple,” he said. “She did not want elaborate decors, not even marbles.”
For Wednesday’s funeral, the tomb was decorated with mostly yellow flowers: big and small chrysanthemums, white orchids and more than 100 white stargazer lilies.
Unprecedented honors
Nearly 10,000 people broke through a military and police cordon to be close to the mausoleum. The funeral had been intended to be strictly for family and close friends. The family had rejected a Malacañang offer of a state funeral.
As the pall bearers brought Aquino’s casket to the red carpet for the funeral honors, the crowd began rushing forward chanting Cory’s name and waving Philippine flags. Policemen and soldiers tried to hold them off on a bridge leading to the site of the ceremony.
With the crowd getting restless, a combined Armed Forces and Philippine National Police brigade, totaling about 500 men, began the funeral honors by saluting the casket.
Then came a 21-gun salute.
Military spokesperson Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the combined participation of soldiers and police at Aquino’s funeral was a “special arrangement of the AFP and the PNP.”
“I think this was the first time that this happened,” Brawner told the Inquirer.
7 hurt
After the honors, the casket was lifted by pall bearers to the mausoleum followed by immediate members of the family, relatives and friends.
Minutes later, the crowd broke through the cordon and moved briskly toward the mausoleum. They later slowed down to a respectful walk.
At least seven people, including an elderly woman, were taken to a Red Cross tent and given first aid treatment. Most complained of difficulty in breathing while others sustained cuts on their feet and hands.
Two of Aquino’s daughters, Ballsy Cruz and Viel Dee, noted similarities between their parents’ funerals.
“There seems to be more people now,” Ballsy said, “especially on the expressway.”
Viel said her mother’s funeral was festive. “They were not cheering (then) like they are cheering now. And then, it seemed there was no media coverage (then),” Viel said.
Ninoy’s funeral was held while the country was under Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorial rule and the mood was one of indignation at Marcos, who was suspected to have engineered the assassination of the former senator upon his return from US exile.
Early birds
Funeral organizers estimated the crowd inside the memorial park alone to have reached some 30,000.
Some of the politicians who waited for hours for the funeral included former Senators Ernesto Maceda and Nikki Coseteng, Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Jamby Madrigal, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Representatives Ed Zialcita, Lorenzo Tañada III, Roilo Golez, Risa Hontiveros and Walden Bello, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus and former Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos.
Former Supreme Court Justice Adolf Azcuna and economist Solita Monsod also attended.
Guards were strict with members of the media and allowed inside—or at least tried to—only those with the yellow accreditation identification cards organizers had issued.
The park’s construction and development manager, Reynaldo Aman, recalled that during Ninoy’s funeral, “the cemetery was filled with people. The crowd occupied almost 50 hectares.”For Maceda, Cory’s funeral “is bigger in every sense of the word—and it is not really surprising.”
He said that people attended the 1983 funeral “because of sadness and anger (while in) the case of Cory (it) is an outpouring of love and gratitude.”
Lesson for others
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, who attended Wednesday’s funeral, said he wanted to honor both Cory and Ninoy whom he described as “simple, brave and kind” leaders.
Ramos-Horta credited them with “leading the first democracy in Southeast Asia.” He said: “Filipinos paved the way for the wave of democracy that began after the Cold War.”
The outpouring of love and respect for Cory should teach politicians aspiring to be true leaders to put the good of the people first before themselves, some mourners said.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Azcuna said: “This event and her whole life should be a lesson that leadership must be with humility, faith, courage. Leaders must always put the good of the people in their hearts.”
The funeral procession arrived at the memorial park at 7:30 p.m.
The former President’s casket was transferred from the truck that carried it through the metropolis to a wooden caisson that brought it to the mausoleum about a kilometer away from the main gate.
Not for Gloria
Ordinary people who managed to elude the tight security at the entrance rushed to the seats reserved for the family’s visitors and stood on them with their slippers dripping with mud.
Personnel of the private cemetery said they started refurbishing the 30-square-meter mausoleum a few hours after Aquino passed away on Saturday.
Save for two chandeliers, the former President’s white tomb was very simple. Even the marker on her grave was made from ordinary gray marble.
During the funeral procession, a Cory supporter asked the people waiting for hours for the procession to pass: Would you do this for Gloria, referring to President Macapagal-Arroyo?
Their answer was: No.
They owe Cory
Against the backdrop of glum, gray skies and amid intermittent rain, tens of thousands lined or swarmed into the streets waiting for the procession.
“We owe her this much,” said 32-year-old Imelda Palar, who came on her own from Sta. Rosa, Laguna. “I just want to say goodbye one last time.”
Carmela Bascon, who came from Cavite province, said: “The people are aware of what Cory has done for our country. I just want to see her one last time to say thanks.” With reports from Marlon Ramos and Francis Ochoa

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090806-218934/Cory-Aquino-laid-to-rest

People's Farewell

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 8) And the people said goodbye to former President Corazon Aquino one last time.
An estimated 150,000 mourners, mostly in yellow and flashing the “laban [fight]” hand sign escorted the former leaders’ funeral cortege from the Manila Cathedral to the Manila Memorial Park, braving occasional heavy rains.
Mrs. Aquino’s wooden casket, draped with the Philippine flag and surrounded by a blanket of yellow flowers, was placed on top of a truck.
She will be buried in a simple grave beside her husband, martyred Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., whose assassination in 1983 sparked a 1986 uprising that thrust her into power, toppled the Marcos dictatorship, and restored democracy.
Some 100,000 lined up along Roxas Boulevard from Intramuros to Quirino Avenue, said Superintendent Rommel Miranda, metropolitan police spokesman.
Another 30,000 gathered from Osmeña Highway to Buendia Avenue, 10,000 along the Sucat interchange, and 10,000 at the vicinity of the Manila Memorial Park.
A human chain was formed to contain the crowd and allow the convoy to pass through the stretch of Roxas Boulevard.Among the mourners who lined up the streets were students and nuns of St Paul College, members of the Chinese-Filipino community, vendors, and ordinary citizens some of them as young as four years old.
The mourners were flashing a "Laban" (fight) sign and chanting "Cory! Cory!"
Some were carrying yellow flowers and laminated photos of the former leader.
Aquino's only son, Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino III and his relatives were onboard a vehicle next to the truck that was carrying their mother’s remains.
The senator and his nephew, Jiggy Aquino-Cruz, flashed the “laban” sign and said "thank you" to the crowd from the vehicle.
“Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Siguradong nakatingin ang nanay at tatay ko mula sa itaas. Sinisigaw nyo na ituloy ang laban. Sa tulong niyo magagawa natin yon. [Thank you to all of you. I’m sure my mother and father are watching from up above. You want to continue the fight. With your help, wecan do that],” the senator said.
“Nasa panahon pa kami ng pagdadalamhati pero sa mga susunod na araw itutuloy natin ang laban. [We are still in mourning, but in the coming days, we will continue the fight],” he said.
Members of the August 21 Movement (Atom) sang the 1986 People Power anthem “Bayan Ko” and “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” during the procession as onlookers sang along.
Mourners stood still in the street even as heavy rains started to pour along Osmeña Highway.
A pregnant woman sharing an umbrella with her companion and a four-month-old baby carried by his father were seen on the street, waiting to see the truck carrying Aquino's body.
Eden Raz, 51, said she joined the funeral march in the hope that Mrs. Aquino’s death would make a difference to the country.
She said had been at the Manila Cathedral church since Monday to visit the former president's wake but did not endure the long hours waiting for her turn to see Mrs. Aquino.
“Naibsan naman yung paghihirap namin nung makita namin si Kris at nag thank you siya sa amin. [Our suffering was lessened when we saw Kris, who said thank you to us],” she said, referring to the former leader’s youngest daughter.
Raz was among the hundreds of people who walked on foot to join the funeral procession from downtown Manila to Parañaque City.
As the would-be hearse brought her out of the Manila Cathedral past 11 a.m., thousands of supporters waved, cheered, and flashed the "L" sign.
They cheered "Cory! Cory!" as the hearse passed, people straining their necks just to catch a last glimpse of Aquino.
Overhead, helicopters threw petals of red and white roses. The sky was overcast but the rain had stopped.
The streets of Old Manila were painted yellow as people said farewell to Aquino.
Outside, tens of thousands of supporters are already waiting for Aquino's hearse to pass.
Upon reaching the corner of Kalaw and Roxas Boulevard, militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan greeted the hearse to pay their last respects.
People clad in yellow cheered and waved goodbye as yellow balloons were released in the air.
Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. said, "It is our hope that the tremendous display of national solidarity of the past few days will carry on even after today. May Mrs. Aquino's life continue to inspire our people to fight tyranny and abuse whenever and wherever these are present."
A helicopter hovered above and showered confetti over the crowd that gathered to pay their last respects.
As of 10 a.m., police estimated some 10,000 people surrounding the Manila Cathedral, another 10,000 from 25th Street to United Nations Avenue, and some 1,000 people along Roxas Boulevard.
Police estimated that there were some 50,000 people and this number was expected to increase as Aquino's hearse moved en route to the Manila Memorial Park, said Superintendent Rommel Miranda, spokesman of National Capital Region police office.With reports from Tina Santos, Philippine Daily Inquirer

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090805-218859/People-flood-streets-for-funeral-cortege

Torch passed on to Noynoy and Kris

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.”

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/05/09/torch-passed-noynoy-kris

Arroyo pays last respects to Aquino

MANILA, Philippines— (UPDATE 2) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited the wake of one of her vocal critics, former President Corazon Aquino, immediately after she landed in Manila on Wednesday morning.

Arroyo, who cut short her official trip to the United States to attend Aquino's wake, flew in aboard a Philippine Airlines flight from San Francisco at 2:45 a.m. and arrived at the Manila Cathedral at 3:42 am.

Organizers immediately halted the public viewing during her brief stay at the church.

The President, who was wearing a cream blazer over a black ensemble, and her entourage entered the left entrance near the altar, which is usually used by priests, and was received by Aquino's only son, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Arroyo, her Cabinet members and other politicians with her group viewed Cory Aquino's remains for a few seconds before sitting down with the senator at the front pew of the church.

Aquino and Arroyo chatted for a few minutes, with Lupita Kashiwahara often joining the conversation. Kashiwahara is Aquino's aunt – she is the sister of the late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. – and is currently Arroyo's public image director.

A few minutes later, Arroyo stood up and walked to Mrs. Aquino's casket alone. She stood there for a few seconds and made a sign of the cross, before she and her Cabinet officials left the church. The visit lasted about seven minutes.

Arroyo was with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando and his wife Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando, Presidential Management Staff chief Hermogenes Esperon, and Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Arroyo’s son, Camarines Sur Rep. Dato Arroyo were also part of the entourage. Senator Santiago once served as agrarian reform secretary and immigration chief during Aquino's time.

“She (Arroyo) really felt it was her obligation to pay her last respects to the former President,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde later told reporters.

Remonde said she wanted to stay longer, but decided to leave after noticing that the long queue of mourners was stopped in deference to her. With a report from TJ Burgonio


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090805-218816/Arroyo-pays-last-respects-to-Aquino

Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest

MANILA, Philippines—One by one, friends, family members, employees of former President Corazon Aquino paid tribute to her through anecdotes, painting a picture of a woman who eschewed the trappings and temptations of her office and who was steadfast in her faith and service to the people.

During the three-hour necrological service at Manila Cathedral Tuesday, 19 people gave their heartfelt tributes, most of them ending up sobbing along with the audience.

Ms Aquino’s four daughters especially the youngest, Kris, openly cried upon hearing the tributes. Her only son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was able to hold back from sobbing.

The senator spoke last, summarizing previous speakers’ testimonials.

He recounted how his mother insisted on going to Fort Bonifacio during the Marines standoff in February 2006, at the height of the protests against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over allegations that she cheated during the 2004 elections.

The senator said he was opposed to the idea of his mother joining the chaos in Fort Bonifacio, where tanks and heavily armed soldiers were on standby.

But his mother won in the end. Noynoy recalled her saying: “It is my obligation to go there. It is my obligation to prevent bloodshed.”

When he and the former President arrived near the gates of the military camp, they found the people agitated.

“When she arrived, she took out her rosary and started praying. The people calmed down,” the senator said.

He told the crowd at the cathedral that he chose this story because it encapsulated everything about his mother.

“This was the loving Cory, who’s ready to do what is right despite the consequences and who has full faith in God. She believed in doing whatever we can and letting God do the rest,” Noynoy said in Filipino.

Swipe at political mess

The senator took a swipe at the political situation, saying there seemed to be no change in the country. The former President had been a vocal critic of Ms Arroyo.

“When I see the state this country is in—there are people who follow the law, who strive to study to be better, who are true to their fellowmen and are still asking ‘Why are we still in need?’ It hurts,” Noynoy said.

“There are those who fought before us. But we are still here, fighting,” he added.

There’s hope

On behalf of his family, Noynoy thanked the people who gathered in the streets to bid her mother farewell when her casket was transferred on Monday to the cathedral from the La Salle Green Hills stadium in Mandaluyong City.

He apologized to those who were waiting for hours to get a glimpse of the former President’s remains.

The senator said he was struck by how children, who did not see the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution and her mother’s presidency, expressed gratitude to his late mother.

“These were elementary children. They said ‘Thank You, Tita Cory,’” he said. This is proof that there is still “hope” for the country, according to Aquino’s only son.

Fought good fight

At the end of his speech, the senator said of his mother: “I really truly believed without an iota of doubt that you fought the good fight, finished the course, and undoubtedly kept the faith.”

Former employees and friends of the late President said they were struck by her humility and simplicity, even while she was the leader of the country.

Exceptional leader

Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, who was appointed by Aquino to head the Government Service Insurance System and other government corporations, said Aquino never asked special treatment for her or for her family.

“I realized I was serving an exceptional leader,” he said.

Aquino’s brother, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, said his sister forbade her siblings to build businesses or try to recover their wealth seized by the Marcoses while she was President.

Aquino was also adamantly opposed to the idea that she run for another term in 1992, Cojuangco said. When he offered this idea to her, his sister replied: “My role is to restore freedom and democracy. If I turn over it to my successor, then I’ll be playing that role.”

Anger extinguished

Makati Rep. Teddy Boy Locsin, who served as Aquino’s speechwriter, said working for Aquino extinguished his anger and desire for revenge.

When she told him over the phone that she took up Marcos’ challenge for a snap presidential election, Locsin said he realized then that Aquino “was the answer to my prayers.”

Working for the country’s first woman leader brought out the best in him, Locsin said. When he was at her deathbed, he felt like a “knight at the bedside of a dying sovereign.”

“I know I was lucky to have served a woman who never did wrong ... If you bring me before her again, I’ll be happy,” he said.

From ardent critic to fan

Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros said he was not a fan of Aquino—at first. “I wasn’t an ardent fan of Cory. I was an ardent critic of Cory,” he said.

Subsequent encounters with Aquino—which started from a phone call from her expressing her thanks for an article he wrote—changed De Quiros’ mind. He also recounted how the former President visited his mother’s wake and was struck by her loquacious nature and grace.

In Aquino, De Quiros said he remembered the biblical phrase: “The exalted shall be humbled and the humbled exalted.

“In life and in death, Cory has been—pardon my French—one damn good person,” De Quiros said.

Businessman Ramon del Rosario Jr. said the business community was revitalized when Aquino rose to power in 1986.

He noted that one of Aquino’s legacies was her honesty and transparency in governance—traits that the business community should follow.

“There is no greater tribute to her than abiding by her values of integrity, courage, transparency, morality and love of country,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario, who was part of the Philippine contingent who went to the United States just a few months after Aquino was inaugurated, recalled the euphoria of the event. “I would say simply, she made us proud of being Filipino again,” he said.

Best friend forever

Aquino’s sister-in-law, Ma. Aurora Lichauco, made the audience chuckle when she said that she considered Aquino her “BFF—best friend forever.”

“I look forward to seeing you again, although I hope not too soon,” she said.

Although the two women were different in temperament—Lichauco said she was outgoing while Aquino was “stoic”—they shared secrets, happiness and difficulties.

In her eulogy, Lichauco recounted how she and Aquino would visit Ninoy at the stockade and share the humiliation of long waits and body searches.

But sometimes, the two of them would just laugh at the “absurdity” of it all, Lichauco said.

Designer Paul Cabral, who was introduced to Aquino by daughter Kris in 2003, said the former President was so down to earth that when she wanted him to make a dress for her, she went to see him.

“There is warmth and kindness in her. What people say about her is true,” he said.

Paintings

The former President gave him gifts for birthdays and special occasions, even giving him one of her paintings.

“While you became a loyal patron, I became an admirer,” Cabral said.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said he lost a confidante in Aquino. He said he would miss her telling him that he was “one of [her] favorite mayors.” Aquino appointed Binay acting mayor of Makati after Edsa I.

Binay said he was indebted and grateful to Aquino when she expressed support for him when he was suspended by the Sandiganbayan in May 2007.

Other speakers





Others who spoke were La Salle president Br. Armin Luistro, her longtime private secretary Margaret Juico, Gina de Venecia, longtime friend Nonie Uy, former Environment Secretary Fulgencio Factoran Jr., Sister Remy Centeno, longtime friend Merceditas Tuason, close-in security Mel Mamaril and Rosalinda Hortaleza.

Manila Cathedral, which could seat 2,000 people, was packed full. Organizers had to add plastic seats to accommodate people.

Well-wishers who lined outside the cathedral for several hours did not complain as they contented themselves watching the necrological services from two huge screens put up on both sides of the cathedral.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090805-218793/Entire-nation-brings-Aquino-to-final-rest

No stopping Gloria Arroyo from going to Cory’s wake

MANILA, Philippines—There’s no stopping President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from attending Wednesday’s funeral of former President Corazon Aquino.
The woman who was once asked by Aquino to step down will show up at Manila Cathedral, needing no “invitation” to pay her last respects to the late president.
The President’s chartered flight from San Francisco, California, is expected to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 3 a.m. Wednesday, cutting short her state visit to the United States.
“Let us avoid desecrating this act of final respect for President Cory by injecting politics,” said Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
“If you go to a wake, it’s not upon invitation. You go there out of your free will, your own volition, to pay your respects and to extend your sympathies and prayers to the family,” Bello said.
Ms Arroyo’s attendance will be seen in light of her political conflict with Aquino, an erstwhile supporter who later demanded the President’s resignation amid accusations of election fraud and massive corruption.
The relationship appeared so strained that Aquino’s family refused Malacañang’s offer of a state funeral and seemed cool to the idea of seeing Ms Arroyo at the wake or funeral.
Bello said he was not sure if Ms Arroyo would attend the funeral at Manila Memorial Park. What was certain, though, was Ms Arroyo’s paying her last respects to Aquino, whom the official described as “one of the greatest presidents in the world.”
Nobody designated yet
Aquino’s son, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, said the family had yet to designate someone who would face Ms Arroyo.
“Someone should face the President,” Noynoy said, aware of official protocol. But he said he and his four sisters had not yet decided on it as they were all reluctant to see her.
In New York City, the President declined media requests to give a personal message on the death of Aquino. Her spokespersons, however, scrambled to assure the public of her sincerity in condoling with her family.
“I’ve already given my message,” said an icy Ms Arroyo, who turned her back on reporters and immediately walked toward her black limousine with her husband.
First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo was about to give a response when asked for a personal message to the Aquinos when he was cut off by the President herself.
Still, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde was insistent that the President was sincere about her condolences which, he said, was proved by her declaration of a 10-day national mourning for the former leader and her declaring her burial a special nonworking holiday.
“The President will do what she needs to do, I hope we will not put politics into this,” Remonde said.
Coin toss
Senator Aquino joked that the family might resort to a coin toss to select someone to do the job. He doubted if the youngest, Kris, would be the one, citing her emotional state.
It was Kris who had explained that the Aquino family had to turn down the Palace offer to honor the former President with a state funeral.
On national television, the actress-turned-TV host had said that the differences stemmed from a decision by the Arroyo administration to recall two soldiers from her mother’s security detail after she called on Ms Arroyo to step down.
But Bello said both leaders had remained “friends” even if Aquino joined the clamor for Ms Arroyo’s ouster. At the height of the “Hello Garci” wiretapping scandal in 2005, Aquino called on the President to resign over fraud committed in the previous year’s election.
“If there were indeed political differences, I don’t think they allowed these … to erode their personal relations,” he said. He noted that some of Aquino’s relatives were now serving under the Arroyo administration.
“They belonged to opposing political aggrupations, but the friendship was never lost,” he added.
Lupita Kashiwahara, younger sister of Aquino’s late husband Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., is Ms Arroyo’s “personal director.”
Marcoses
The Palace said it was not expecting a hostile reception from the Aquinos when Ms Arroyo comes to the wake. It was reacting to impressions that the Aquino family was more willing to accommodate the Marcoses—with whom the Aquinos had a long-running political feud—than Ms Arroyo.
“It seems to me that if the Aquino family was gracious enough to welcome someone from the Marcos family, then—because they are such well-bred and well-born people—we should expect them to be no less gracious when it comes to welcoming someone like the President,” said Gary Olivar, Ms Arroyo’s deputy spokesperson.
“We cannot think less of them than to expect the utmost graciousness from the family even in this hour of dire loss,” he added.
Olivar said Ms Arroyo, like the rest of the nation, owed to Aquino the country’s return to democracy.
“The gratitude that she feels for President Cory, which should be shared by all of our people, has to do with the fact that because of [her], we’re able to have all the administrations that came into power after Marcos, including the current one under President Arroyo,” he said.
Bello said one lesson that could be derived from Aquino’s leadership was clear: “We should continue having women presidents.”
Sincerity of gestures
Senator Aquino said it was not easy to believe the sincerity of Ms Arroyo’s gestures. He was also skeptical about Malacañang’s declaration of Aug. 5, the funeral of his mother, as a special nonworking holiday.
“Let’s see if that would push through,” he said, stressing that “what we are praying for is the peace of mommy.”
In New York City, Ms Arroyo Monday offered Mass for Aquino on a rain-drenched Sunday morning at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
The offering was announced from the pulpit by Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, who likewise said the high Mass was meant to celebrate the 41st wedding anniversary of the President and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.
The President was expected to leave New York at 4 p.m. on Monday (4 a.m. Tuesday in Manila) and arrive at 3 a.m. Wednesday or just a few hours before Aquino’s burial.
Contrary to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita’s announcement that the San Francisco stopover was just for refueling, Ms Arroyo revealed that she would meet with officials of Silicon Valley companies to sign some business deals.
Her husband said he planned to stay behind in the United States. With a report from Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090804-218655/No-stopping-Arroyo-from-going-to-Corys-wake

Catholic Church breaks protocol for Corazon Aquino

MANILA, Philippines -- The Catholic Church broke its protocol to bestow on former president Corazon Aquino the honor of being the first lay person to have her wake at the country's historic Manila Cathedral.
Such privilege is reserved only for the archbishop of Manila.
The last wake held at the Manila Cathedral was for the iconic Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, Aquino's fellow freedom champion who passed away in 2005.
Before that, the cathedral hosted the wake of Sin's predecessor, the late Rufino Cardinal Santos who passed away in 1973.
Balanga Bishop Socrates Villegas, a long-time aide to Sin and who is close to the Aquino family, said not even bishops and priests could have their wake at the cathedral.
“(The privilege) is not given to any ordinary citizen, not even us bishops or priests. Only the archbishop of Manila and Cory are given that honor,” Villegas said.
Father Genaro Diwa, head of the ministry of liturgical affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila, said only the archbishop of Manila would be allowed to have his wake at the cathedral “because this is his church.”
“We break all the rules,” Diwa said, explaining the significance of Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales' decision to allow Aquino's wake inside the cathedral.
Also called the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila Cathedral is considered the mother of all churches in the country.
The special bond between Sin and Aquino were very much on the minds of the clergy who prepared the cathedral for the former president's wake.
Sin and Aquino were stalwarts of the 1986 People Power revolt that ousted the Marcos dictatorship, and again of the 2001 People Power revolt that ousted President Joseph Estrada.
"The presence of the late cardinal is very much felt on this occasion," Diwa said.
“Since their relationship is very spiritual and deep, I think the presence of Cardinal Sin is very much felt here,” he added.
Aquino witnessed the mass and public viewing for the late cardinal in 2005.
Sin and other former Manila archbishops are buried in the cathedral’s crypt.
“I'm sure a reunion between Tita Cory and Senator Ninoy and Cardinal Sin would be a happy reunion,” Villegas mused.
Turning philosophical he added: “Tita Cory did not die. Life is not ended, life is only changed. That's why we say in Tagalog, sumakabilang-buhay (a move to the afterlife).”
It was the Aquino family who made the request to hold the wake and funeral mass at the Manila Cathedral. Cardinal Rosales readily agreed even if that meant breaking their own protocol.
The family apparently thought first of having the wake at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City, where the wake of the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was held after his assassination in 1983.
The Aquinos' only son, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III disclosed that relations with those who currently run the church have been strained.
Without naming names, he said: “There is another church closely related to us, but in the commemoration of my father's 25th death anniversary, I understand we are not welcome there.”
“Fortunately, Manila Cathedral was made available by Cardinal Rosales. That is why we decided to hold it here. There are a lot of important memories in our lives that had connection to Manila Cathedral,” the senator added.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20090803-218595/Catholic-Church-breaks-protocol-for-Aquino