IN PHOTOS: Former President Noynoy Aquino's wake
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The Aquino clan is grieving the loss of their patriarch, former President Benigno "Simeon" Aquino III who passed away from renal disease secondary to diabetes on June 24, 2021. He was 61 years old when he succumbed to health issues peacefully in his sleep, according to the Aquino sisters.
Though the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made it hard to hold events, the public paid their respects at The Ateneo de Manila University's Church of the Gesu on June 25.
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the next ten days following his death as a period of mourning for the nation.
Much of Noynoy's life was dedicated to public service. He passed away a bachelor, but he lived a full, colorful life blessed with the love of his supporters and relatives.
Noynoy's cremated remains will be buried on Saturday, June 26. His sister Kris told members of the media early Thursday evening.
The service would include a mass for Noynoy on Friday, followed by his burial at the Manila Memorial Cemetery on Saturday.
Kris said in a public statement during the funeral, "He could have been lying in state in Malacañang pero nirerespeto namin na hindi lahat ng tao sa Pilipinas ang nabakunahan... we know that there are people waiting outside," Kris said.
"We spoke about it. Our plan was really to take the urn of our brother with us, pero bibilsan lang namin dito," she added.
Kris also mentioned the ceremony in honor of her brother at the Heritage Park in Taguig City would be for one hour.
"The rest of the plans ay 'yun pa lang pinag usapan namin, pasensya na hindi talaga namin inaakala na mangyayari [ito]. Nagulat kaming lahat," Kris said.
Nonetheless, the Aquino sisters are sending off their brother to reunite with their parents, former Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino Jr. and first female Philippine President Corazon Aquino.
Here are some of the moments from PNoy's wake:
