I was a student in UP Diliman, the hotbed of student activism, during those turbulent days of the mid-80s. One day in 1986, I saw Mrs. Corazon Aquino giving a talk on campus. That was the only time I have seen Mrs. Aquino in person. She radiated sincerity, kindness and integrity like no public personality I have seen.
Her health condition had been in the news for the past year ever since the family revealed that she had colon cancer. In the past month, we knew it was not good because she had to be confined at the Makati Medical Center.
When I turned my computer on this morning August 1, the news of Mrs. Aquino's death was the first thing that met my eyes. Even though it was already expected, it was still very saddening. I admit to have held back some tears as I drove to work listening to people on the radio extol her admirable qualities as a president, as a mother and as a person.
I felt I really needed to pay my last respects to the departed President. So when I found out that a public wake was being held at the La Salle Greehills Gym from 5pm today to dawn of Sunday. I knew that my best bet to see her one last time would be tonight.
After parking along Ortigas, almost near Connecticut already, I walked to the end of the line, which was near the U-turn slot under the overpass near EDSA. That was just a bit past 12mn of Aug. 2, 2009. The line moved steadily anyway, until I was in front of the coffin after an hour on the line. She was without her glasses, dressed in yellow, with a calm expression on her face. I said a quick prayer for her soul, then had to give way to the next person in line already.
I feel content that I was able to pay my final respects to the most honest and trustworthy President our country has ever had, and probably will ever have. I will remember this day.
Here are some more side lights I noted last night, but was too sleepy to include in my main article:
1. There were vendors at Gate 5 selling yellow t-shirts with Tita Cory pictures printed on them (like her Time Woman of the Year cover, among others). I did not ask how much, but I hear they cost P120 each.
2. By the way, this is my first time inside LSGH. When the line reached the inner gate, the people in line were told to go in two lines, side by side. If you see the pictures I posted up here, you would see that there is a steep ramp going up the main gym. I am not sure if they have facilities for the elderly and disabled.
3. The atmosphere inside the gym was decidedly solemn. However, there was one person that stood out like a sore thumb. Boy Abunda was there wearing a black polo shirt and tight fitting denim jeans cut off and cuffed at midcalf. He had no socks, then had on some kind of shiny loafers. I did not have to see him, but he was very conspicuous as he strutted around there.
4. Tita Cory that night did not really look like the Tita Cory I knew. I think it was because she was very heavily made up, and they did not put her trademark glasses on. I was looking at her face so much, I could not really describe the yellow dress she had on.
Thank you for sharing this. If I were there, I would have been there with you as well. Did you go alone? I think EDSA Revolution I was so unbelievable. A big change in paradigm for everyone who went through 20 years of Marcos dictatorship. It is like they own the country. Of course, Marcos also did something good for us but it made us so senile. EDSA revolution for me is the first to ignite that Filipino nationhood.
Now, it is cool to be proud of being Filipino. The more we travel and know more about other cultures and people, the more we realize there is such a thing as being a Filipino....
I am in Atlanta, GA, USA now but I have no illusions of seeing this as land of milk and honey. I see this as a place where we can learn from to be better.
I still can't imagine living in other country as the Philippines. I do like to travel to other countries but iba pa rin talaga ang pinoy. We can lambast a lot of things about us but there is also a lot of goodness in us.
I still can't imagine living in other country as the Philippines. I do like to travel to other countries but iba pa rin talaga ang pinoy. We can lambast a lot of things about us but there is also a lot of goodness in us.
I totally agree with this. I do not think I can live anywhere else.
I heard a quote said by Cory on the radio yesterday saying something like she was happy that she was born a Filipina. I will post it here if I hear it again. She are playing soundbites of her memorable pronouncements on the radio all day yesterday. It was very touching to hear those meaningful words being said by that gentle motherly voice we all know.
WOW. You are online. I cant sleep. Went to gym, hip hop class. Went to North Georgia Outlet stores. Buffet at Golden Corale. Outlets are cool... This is bigger than the two outlets I saw in California before.
beautiful sharing fred. you should be on Facebook where many or our artists and intellectuals from all over the world have shared memories and tributes to this unassuming lady who was an incredible leader in our country's fight for democracy. she has been likened to Gandhi i and mandela..
Thanks for sharing Doc. The ever famous 'LABAN' sign meant so much for us. I am proud seeing her delivering her speech at US state where she was really proud being a Filipina(1986). She will be missed for sure. Aquino family did so much for our country that’s why they are well loved. SALAMAT, President Cory! (gesturing the 'Laban' sign)
Boy Abunda was there wearing a black polo shirt and tight fitting denim jeans cut off and cuffed at midcalf. He had no socks, then had on some kind of shiny loafers. I did not have to see him, but he was very conspicuous as he strutted around there.
He's a fashion victim of the highest order.
I just fucking hate him.
The world would be a better place without him in it.
I wish I was there, Fred to pay my last respect for our beloved Tita Cory! I was always there at EDSA when she started it all. It was because of Tita Cory and her "Laban" that I was also there....
When I got home from work last Friday, my mom broke the news. She was watching something on the Filipino channel at 4 pm (5am Sat, Manila time) when the news flashed onscreen. Most of you in the Philippines were still asleep while most Filipinos here, already knew by then. Although it was expected, I was deeply saddened. I could not cry in front of my mom coz I'm sure she remembered my dad too, who died of the same cause..... I caught an emotional Kris this afternoon on TV. By then, I couldn't hold back my tears.... Now that Cory is gone, I just hope that the Filipinos would continue to pray for our country and continue what Tita Cory & Ninoy had stood and fought for.
Thank you Fred. Your heart's always been in the right place, even back in highschool. Sayang we never spent time together in U.P. Diliman. Although we started a Diliman, our whole college was soon brought to U.P. Manila. Great to be in touch with you now. God Bless my friend.
Just watched a lot of the proceedings online. (Thanks to internet technology.) What Kris Aquino shared in the Buzz was so heartfelt and sincere. I do hope the Filipino spirit in us gets to be stronger. That we make ourselves relevant towards nation building.
Only when you are away from your motherland will you really know what it is like to have a country of your own. I miss home. I love the Philippines.
I was at work yesterday, but I was able to catch snatches of the coverage as the casket of Tita Cory was being brought from LSGH to EDSA, to Ayala to pass by the statue of Ninoy. As she passed, the scenes of the yellow confetti showering down on the funeral cortege was simply very touching. Those scenes in Makati were magical indeed.
Those scenes outside then inside the Manila Cathedral in the afternoon were also surreal. It is as if it was not happening in the Philippines at all. I understand that a centuries-old protocol was broken by allowing Tita Cory's wake to be held there.
I caught an emotional Kris this afternoon on TV. By then, I couldn't hold back my tears....
Hi Bends, I did not catch this episode of the Buzz. I am glad I only got to hear excepts last night on SNN, and not the whole thing. I hear mixed reviews about this interview, good and bad. At least with excepts I would only hear the good ones.
Sayang we never spent time together in U.P. Diliman. Although we started a Diliman, our whole college was soon brought to U.P. Manila. Great to be in touch with you now
Same here. It is good to see you revive your writings. I knew you wrote back in high school, and finally we have the venue to express our thoughts in writing. See you around again, my friend.
since i've joined facebook, i hardly use multiply anymore. connecting with friends in the music industry is so much easier on facebook.
That is true. I have found a lot of long lost friends on Facebook as well. However on Multiply, I find it a better repository of photos and reviews that are easily locatable and shared. And I have also met a lot of good online buddies on Multiply like you.
I was able to pay my final respects to the most honest and trustworthy President our country has ever had, and probably will ever have. 
