Aquino family arrives for Cory funeral Mass

The grieving family of former President Corazon Aquino arrived at a jam packed Manila Cathedral Wednesday morning, a few hours before they will bid goodbye to the woman hailed as the mother of the nation. Mrs. Aquino's daughters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, Viel Aquino-Dee and Kris Aquino-Yap and their respective families were seen taking their seats inside the cathedral around 8:30 a.m., half an hour before the scheduled 9 a.m. funeral Mass for the democracy icon. Kris was with her husband James Yap and their sons, Joshua and Baby James. The men were clad in barong tagalog, while the women were in black dresses. Mrs. Aquino's only son Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III was not immediately seen within the premises as of posting time. Other personalities present for the Mass were former presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada, the latter's wife Luisa "Loi" Ejercito, Vice President Noli de Castro, senators and other political figures, and some celebrities. Vice President de Castro was the highest ranking member of the administration present. President Arroyo visited the wake at 3:42 a.m. and stayed for seven minutes. She is not expected to return to the cathedral today. After the Mass to be celebrated by Balanga Bishop Socrates Villegas, Mrs. Aquino's remains will be brought to the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City for interment. The procession going there is expected to rival Mrs. Aquino's husband's Ninoy's in 1983, when millions paid their respects before Ninoy was buried in the same cemetery.- Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV