Author Topic: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest  (Read 1871 times)

Brownman

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Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« on: August 05, 2009, 04:29:53 PM »
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:25:00 08/05/2009

Close this 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.





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grazie7y

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2009, 11:13:18 PM »
Salamat, Yet, for this article!  My cousin Smiffy called me lastnight to see if I was interest in watching the event for Madam Cory Aquino but I was not feeling well so wa ko ka tan-aw.  I will just check you tube na lang. 



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hofelina

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2009, 07:32:22 AM »
The freedom of expression was upheld in her terms and that a president can only serve 6 years was also Cory´s legacy as it is written in the Phil Constitution which might be altered soon. Cha-cha anyone?

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ms da binsi

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2009, 07:34:00 AM »
altered soon? who would and could alter that? si ate Glow?


Noooope!

pero ug makig cha cha ka nako manay im good with that! hahahha!

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grazie7y

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2009, 01:23:14 PM »
all the presidents after Madam Cory Aquino tried hard to change the constitution to no avail. 

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ben

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2009, 04:38:33 PM »
Note that she wasn't only admired by Filipinos.  In 1986 she had brought a feeling of hope to the whole world.  During the Marcos regime outsiders would meet the many talented OFWs and wonder why the politics of this country were so far behind the abilities and aspirations of its people.  My guess is that almost everyone on the Planet were behind Cory, excepting only a few ultra-rightists.

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thegirlnextdoor

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2009, 01:14:08 AM »
I am for charter change. Just because someone dies does not change my mind. Many Boholanos also want charter change.

Those are the ones afraid unfortunately to speak out their minds because of living in what is this country oh yeah democratic is it not?

If your a democrat your free to speak your mind whithout the threat of being harmed, mamed, armless, and life cut out.

But here it is truly another picture indeed.

I do not think six years should be expanded for presidency that should remain the same.

Then again what do I are most of you care anyway your all holding another citizenship away from here same as me.

I care because I am here and do not like to see the people suffering anymore.

Looking at all the hungry and skinny desperate Filipinos at ICM last weekend was a real eye opener for me indeed. People here are in a dire need of food, health and livlihood and with the current system in how it is they will always continue to crash gates to try to be close to receive alms from the wealthiest.

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Macky Ferniz

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2009, 09:24:34 AM »
Namula akong mata ug humilak kada tan-aw nako sa TV. :'(

Sunod sunod ug kahanaw ang akong mga idol sa akong kabatan-on. Una si Michael Jackson, unya si Cory na pod.

Na miss nako akong kabatan-on kung mahinomdom ko sa People Power/Edsa Revolution.

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ms da binsi

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2009, 09:49:13 AM »

TOPAC

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2009, 12:37:09 PM »
i took a leave last tuesday, august 4, just to pay my last respects to the late president in manila cathedral. it took me more than 6 hours in the line before i could enter the cathedral. take note also that there were two lines. ganun kahaba ang pila. ganun kadami ang nagmamahal ni cory. nya, sige pa jud uwan, usahay muinit na pud kay dihay tropical storm.

on aug 5, i also waited 2 hours in quirino avenue to take a glimpse of her funeral procession. napasmo kog hinuwat cause i got out of my place immediately after the requiem mass which was aired live on tv. ala 1 na nilabay sa quirino.

the whole procession took 8 hours. i think that was the 2nd largest funeral procession, next only to that of her martyred husband, Ninoy. the procession could have taken long if it were not for the live coverage by the country's largest tv networks.

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:-)

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grazie7y

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2009, 12:50:34 PM »
good for you cals naka attend ka in person. 

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hofelina

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Re: Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
« Reply #11 on: August 15, 2009, 07:53:45 AM »
The demise of Cory Aquino has saddened many Germans. It was viewed every hour in the news (tv) in all stations. She caused peoples power. May she rest in peace.

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