Noynoy's sister Pinky visits his grave a day after burial

A day after former President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III was buried, his sister Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Aquino-Abellada headed to the Manila Park to visit the grave where her brother, along with their parents were laid to rest.

According to Abellada, she headed to the Manila Memorial as she missed her brother so much, but decided to instead go back when the crowds have died down.

Exclusive interview: Mrs. Pinky Aquino-Abellada says they missed Pnoy so much. She and her sister Viel Aquino-Dee, visited Pnoy’s tomb at the Manila Memorial park today. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/5AFwpSzXzx

— Vonne Aquino (@vonneaquino) June 27, 2021

“Sabi ko siguro balik na lang kami ‘pag mas tahimik ng konti,” Abellada said in an interview with GMA News. “Sa lahat ng mga dumadalaw, maraming maraming salamat po. Sobrang biglaan ng nangyari and nahihirapan kami so sabi ko, ‘yung pagdalaw ninyo, ‘yung laglagay ng yellow ribbons and everything, talagang nakakagaan ng damdamin,” she said.

Aquino — the only son of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino — died on Thursday, June 24, at the age of 61 due to renal failure secondary to diabetes. His leadership oversaw the Philippines escaping the “Sick Man of Asia” and pushed the country to an average economic growth of 6.2%, the fastest since the 1970s. 

Aquino was buried at the Manila Memorial on Saturday, June 26, at the same site where his parents were laid to rest.

“Sa lahat, kahit hindi naman ninyo talagang kamag-anak o kakilala si Noynoy, minahal ninyo ng ganyan, so sabi ko masaya silang tatlo — ang dad, ag mom, at tsaka si Noynoy — and ‘yun, sabi ko, niloloko rin siya kanina, sabi ko ‘Noy ha, tulungan mo ako bukas, wala na talaga akong iyak iyak. Kung hindi magagalit na ako sa’yo’,” said Abellada.

Aside from Abellada, Aquino is survived by his sisters Maria Elena or Ballsy, Victoria Elisa or Viel, and Kristina Bernadette or more popularly known as Kris.

“So sana lang talaga, mas tumibay ang aming damdamin, kaming magkakapatid. Alam ko darating din ‘yun, and nakakatulong talaga ‘yung mga messages at tsaka ‘yung sitdowns, ‘yung mga pino-post, ‘yung iba don ngayon ko lang nalalaman, kaya talagang thank you to everyone,” Abellada said. —LBG, GMA News