Friends, family extol Cory during necrological service

Former President Corazon Aquino was remembered as a best friend, a caring boss and most especially, a source of strength to others during a necrological service Tuesday at the Manila Cathedral. The mood was solemn but uplifting as heartfelt eulogies from members of the Aquino family and close friends and songs from popular celebrities filled the cathedral. "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)," said the late former president’s son Sen. Noynoy Aquino. The senator said there was nothing wrong if Filipinos "get involved and fight for justice." Touching songs and heartfelt testimonies brought many people in the cathedral close to tears, most notably the eulogy given by Mrs. Aquino's close-in security for the past 23 years, Mel Mamaril, who praised the former president as a caring boss. "She takes care of people around her, no matter how big or small," Mamaril said. He also recalled how Mrs. Aquino would look after their needs despite the pain she was experiencing during her battle with colon cancer. "She was always very concerned about us," he said. "(She) raised my dignity as a person." After his eulogy, Mamaril walked toward Mrs. Aquino's flag-draped casket and gave his boss for more than two decades one final salute. The moving scene brought Mrs. Aquino's youngest daughter, television personality Kris Aquino, to tears. Mrs. Aquino succumbed to cardiorespiratory arrest at 3:18 a.m. at the Makati Medical Center Saturday after more than a year of battling colon cancer. She was 76. Mamaril and PO4 Crispin Corpuz, who have been with Mrs. Aquino since her presidency, were reportedly pulled out of their duty while Mrs. Aquino was ailing last month. Malacañang and the police apologized for what they called as a "misunderstanding" and assured the Aquinos that Mamaril and Corpuz would stay with the family. Bishop: Cory wanted to visit Holy Land In his homily, Cavite Bishop Luis Tagle, revealed that the former president still had an "unfulfilled" wish. Tagle recalled his last telephone conversation with Mrs. Aquino in which the latter expressed her desire to visit the Holy Land. “She said: I want to go to the Holy Land. I don’t know whether I’ll be able to make another pilgrimage but I want to go to the Holy Land," Tagle recalled. The bishop did not mention the date of his phone conversation. In their talk, Tagle also revealed that Mrs. Aquino wanted to take her family to Israel. And while she was physically unable to fulfill her dream, Tagle said Mrs. Aquino's wish had been granted in a way. "Tita Cory, you have reached the Holy Land. You are not only with Ninoy, you are with the whole Filipino nation and the whole world is accompanying you in this most beautiful pilgrimage." Tagle said. A leader in every way "Siya ang hepe, ako ang tagasunod (She was the chief, I'm her follower)," Noynoy said. He recalled how his mother remained calm and unfaltering in the face of danger, drawing her strength from prayer. "(Ang) nanay ko ang aking pinuno," he said. "Hindi ko pa siyang nakitang nagkamali (My mother was my leader. I never saw her commit mistakes.)" In his closing statement, Sen. Aquino said he believes his mother has "finished the course." "Mom, I really truly believe...that you have truly fought the good fight, you have finished your course and undoubtedly, you have kept the faith," he said. Similarly, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, who was appointed by Aquino to head the National Bureau Investigation in 1989, described Mrs. Aquino as "the best" president. "Para sa amin, ikaw na ang pinakamagaling, pinakamahusay, pinakamarangal at pinakamatapat na pangulo ng Pilipinas," he said. Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, on the other hand, said Mrs. Aquino would leave a legacy of servant leadership and good governance. "She commands best when she abides by her own rules. Those of us who continue to believe that good governance is at least one of her great legacies… we should never let her down." A friend and source of strength Sister-in-law and close friend Maria Aurora Lichauco, meanwhile, called Mrs. Aquino her best friend. "She would probably smile and raise an eyebrow at me when I say that I consider her my BFF, best friend forever," Lichauco said. "I know that you are in heaven. I look forward to seeing you again, although I hope, not to soon," she added, providing a comic relief to some at the ceremony. She also extolled Mrs. Aquino's exemplary determination, comparing her to a "knight." "Like a knight, she was being prepared for a task... a bigger challenge to restore our democracy," she said. Former president Aquino's younger brother, Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, described her sister as a person with conviction."Cory was never uncertain or undecided. When she gave instructions it was one of conviction," he said. He broke into tears toward the end of his eulogy. Another friend of Mrs. Aquino, Gina de Venecia, likewise considers the former president, whom she called "a woman of God" and "an agent of change," as her inspiration. "She (Cory) believed in me and encouraged a simple housewife like me to believe in myself," she said of Mrs. Aquino. "She was a beacon of hope, a leader who proved that true greatness is found not in power and prestige. Rather, it was rooted in something far deeper. She led and loved with a pure heart from which sprung great humility, goodness, and true moral character," she added. Inspiring songs, speeches Other close friends and family members of former president Aquino also gave eulogies to pay tribute to the global democracy icon. Among them are former members of Mrs. Aquino's Cabinet Margie Juico, Fulgencio Factoran and Ramon del Rosario, and former speech writer Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. Locsin, who served as Mrs. Aquino's first official spokesperson, recounted how Mrs. Aquino's decision to accept a challenge for a snap election in 1986 had sent him scrambling for the next flight from San Francisco to Manila. Locsin, who fought back tears said: "I knew then she was the answer to my prayers." The Makati legislator wrote some of Mrs. Aquino's most memorable speeches including the one she delivered before US Congress in September 1986. With all his years of service for Mrs. Aquino, Locsin said all that mattered to him now was that he "was living everyday to the fullest. Bringing the best in me for someone else." Family friends Merceditas Tuazon, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Dr. Rosalinda Hortaleza and Nonie Uy also delivered their eulogies for the Mrs. Aquino. Other Cory supporters like columnist Conrado de Quiros, designer Paul Cabral and Sis. Remedios also delivered speeches of gratitude for the former president. De Quiros, a newspaper columnist, praised her as someone who taught "the world a thing or two about honor, courage and grace." Songs of inspiration were also rendered in between eulogies. Among those who sang were Christian Bautista, Kuh Ledesma, Rachelle Ann Go, Ivy Violan and Jamie Rivera. - with a report from Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV