GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Aquino family ‘overwhelmed’ with outpouring of love for Cory
The family of former president Corazon Aquino is “overwhelmed" at the thousands of mourners who showed up at the La Salle Greenhills for the wake of the country’s icon of people power, who passed away early Saturday after a long battle with colon cancer. As of 3:30 p.m. Sunday, police estimated that about 35,000 people had queued up to view Mrs. Aquino’s remains since public viewing started at 7 a.m. The line from the La Salle Greenhills gymnasium stretched out to Ortigas Avenue all the way to EDSA. Jiggy Aquino Cruz, one of Mrs. Aquino’s grandchildren, said the family is “overwhelmed over the hundreds, if not thousands of Filipinos from various parts of the country are waiting for their turn to get a glimpse" of the former Philippine leader. “Nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng pumunta. Nakapakarami ang nakapila sa kabila ng lahat," he told GMANews.TV. Intermittent rain and strong winds did not deter the mourners, who had formed long queues snaking along Ortigas Avenue. “The family is very thankful. They didn’t expect this," said Deedee Sityangco, former spokesperson of Mrs. Aquino and a close friend of the family. Mrs. Aquino’s son, Sen. Benigno Aquino III, also told GMANews.TV: “It’s so inspiring and touching. In our grief, we are really consoled. We pray that they will continue the work that my parents started." The La Salle Greenhills administration has suspended elementary and high school classes on Monday to give way to the mourners. “Everyone is further advised to take this opportunity as a teaching moment for our children through prayers, reflections and stories about Mrs. Aquino's contribution to the restoration of Philippine democracy," La Salle Greenhills President Bro. Felipe Belleza Jr. said. Security was tight at the venue. Senior Supt. Carlos de Sagun, Mandaluyong police chief, said about 300 policemen were deployed around the school. A contingent from the Metro Manila Development Authority was also deployed to ensure public safety. Inside La Salle, about 200 security personnel ensured the safety of the mourners, according to Joey Mendoza from the committee that organized the memorial services. He said private individuals and corporations have donated food and water for those in the queue. “The Red Cross had also sent ambulances," he said. Emotional moment The gymnasium was packed during the noon mass Sunday, which was officiated by CBCP president Angel Lagdameo. Many of the mass goers became emotional when the protest song “Bayan Ko" was sung at the end of the mass, with many people raising clenched fists or flashing the “Laban" sign popularized by Mrs. Aquino and her husband, opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. The assassination of Mr. Aquino in 1983 had sparked a wave of protests, culminating in the 1986 EDSA people power revolt that toppled strongman Ferdinand Marcos and swept Mrs. Aquino to the presidency. In a message read after the mass, Lagdameo said: “No couple in the Philippines has had an impact" in the country like the Aquinos. He said Mrs. Aquino was the “symbol of reformation and transformation" of the country. Most of the mourners reminisced about the contributions of Mrs. Aquino in restoring democracy to the country. “I brought my daughter here so she can see Tita Cory. I’ll never forget how she touched our lives during the EDSA revolution," said 46-year old businessman Percival Lubaton, who brought his nine-year old daughter Eliza. “Pumunta kami rito para makiramay. Ok lang kahit ang tagal namin pumila basta makita lang si Cory," said Hugo Legaspi, who was among 30 members of the Pateros Cycling Club that paid their respects to Mrs. Aquino. On Monday, the remains of Mrs. Aquino will be brought to the Manila Cathedral, where she will lie in state until the funeral on Wednesday, according to an advisory from the Aquino family.
