Capadocia gets 'sendoff' with balloons

(Updated 10:18 a.m.) MANILA, Philippines - After dying "with his boots on," the late Press Undersecretary Jose Capadocia was finally laid to rest at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City Wednesday. Radio dzXL, where Capadocia served as station manager, reported that friends, reporters, Palace colleagues and even neighbors from Sta. Mesa in Manila attended a Mass at the cemetery before his ashes were buried. Many of those who attended the burial released blue and white balloons, while a choir rendered songs after the Mass at the cemetery. Those present during the burial rites were Press Secretary Cerge Remonde and Marikina Mayor Ma. Lourdes Fernando. Capadocia died along with seven Palace aides in a helicopter crash in northern Luzon last week. His cremated remains were brought to Malacañang Tuesday for a necrological service. A Mass was held at the Palace early Wednesday morning before his remains were brought to Loyola Memorial Park. Earlier in the day, radio dzXL reported that flower arrangements and balloons were put in place at the memorial park in time for Capadocia's burial. The radio report said 12 regular tents had been set up near the site of the memorial park where Capadocia's ashes would be placed. Blue and white balloons, along with flower arrangements from friends in the media and business sectors, adorned the tents. Before entering government service, Capadocia spent a good number of years in several media entities. - GMANews.TV