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Aquino family holds novena for ex-President Noynoy Aquino
Members of the Aquino clan on Thursday night started the traditional Novena for former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City.
Noynoy’s youngest sibling— actress Kris Aquino posted a video on Instagram, showing relatives reciting the prayer led by one of her nephews.
Their first night of novena—a traditional Catholic devotional prayer for the dead which will be recited for nine consecutive days— was held after Noynoy's remains were cremated
.The urn was seen placed on a table in front of the memorial chapel. It was surrounded by mostly yellow flowers.
A folded Philippine flag was also seen at the side of Aquino’s urn and the cross of Jesus Christ at the back. Noynoy’s portrait was also placed beside the table.
After the prayer, Kris announced that Noynoy’s remains will be transferred to the Church of the Gesu in Ateneo de Manila University at 10 a.m.
The public is allowed to pay last respects to Aquino from 10 a.m. too 10 p.m. Friday, June 25.
She also mentioned that there will be a Holy Mass for her brother's passing at 5 p.m. and another Mass at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, the actress said there will also be a funeral Mass still at the Church of Gesu at 10 a.m., which will be led by Archbishop Socrates Villegas.
After the funeral Mass, the former president's remains will be laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park in Quezon City, where he will also be given arrival honors and 21-gun salute.
“All the honors due him will be given in Manila Memorial after we have laid him to rest,” she said.
After Kris’ announcement, one of her nephews carried Noynoy’s urn while the actress brought the Philippine flag with her.
According to GMA News’ Vonne Aquino’s report on Unang Balita, it was Miguel Abellada-- son of Noynoy’s sister, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, who carried the urn at around 9 p.m. Thursday night and transported it to their residence in Green Meadows Subdivision, Quezon City.
In an interview early Thursday evening, Kris said the family decided to make the ceremony in honor of his brother short.
“He could have been lying in state in Malacañang pero nirerespeto namin na hindi lahat ng tao sa PIlipinas ang nababakunahan (but we respect that not all have been vaccinated yet) so what we have decided as a family right now, 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 (we will just hold a quick ceremony here at the Heritage Park),” she added.
On Thursday morning, Aquino was rushed to Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City. According to a statement read by his sister Pinky on Thursday afternoon at Heritage Park, Aquino was pronounced dead at 6:30 a.m. due to renal disease secondary to diabetes.
Abellada also said her brother had been in and out of the hospital even before the COVID-19 pandemic. — Hana Bordey/RSJ, GMA News