EDSA 20

Manila — Uniting the nation in death as she did in life, the late former president Corazon Aquino brought most of Metro Manila to rain-drenched, traffic-snarled roads yesterday , in a funeral procession reminiscent of the people's farewell to her husband, Benigno Aquino Jr., in 1983.

Ten of thousands of Filipinos –rich, poor, staunch allies and critics – came to send her off and bring her to her final resting place in the most attended funeral procession in recent history.

Intermittent rains that descended along the funeral route did not deter the crowds from following the flag-draped coffin of Aquino borne on a flat-bed truck.

The scene brought to mind the burial of her late husband, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in 1983.

People stood atop container vans in flyovers, center islands and along sidewalks, cross generations of Filipinos to bade the woman in yellow farewell. Some were carrying yellow banners, balloons, Philippine flags. Others flashed the “L” “laban” sign. They chanted her name “Cory! Cory!”

The four-lane Osmeña highway was reduced to a single lane as several layers of people lined the streets.

As of 2:30 p.m., police estimated that some 150,000 people lined the procession route.

Near Magallanes village in Makati City, a group of residents displayed eight yellow umbrellas in a row, each carrying the letters of the message: Cory We Love You (with the word love replaced by a heart symbol).

On another spot, a group of young men carried placards saying "Kris for president." Another carried a headless mannequin wearing a yellow dress.

Others improvised to make yellow banner, using curtains and hanky.

The sea of people slowed down the democracy icon's funeral procession. It took about eight hours for the funeral cortege to reach the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque, from the Manila Cathedral where a requiem mass for Mrs. Aquino ended at noon, Wednesday.

Aquino was buried in a simple tomb beside her husband, Ninoy. The family mausoleum was painted in white, including its four arches that were adorned with yellow ribbons.

Atop the tombs of Cory and Ninoy were stargazers, chrysanthemums, and orchids that reflected hues of yellow and green.

Tents for guests were installed near the mausoleum.

Some of the personalities who came early were Senators Manuel Roxas II and Anna Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, Representatives Lorenzo Tañada III, Roilo Golez and Eduardo Zialcita, former Senator Ernesto Maceda, former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, former Socioeconomic Planning chief Solita Monsod, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, and East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta.

She was given full military honors before she was interred in her tomb.

“The procession brings back memories of 1983. Like 1983, the people lined the procession route to show their appreciation, gratitude and love to Tita Cory who served the country with her heart. Tita Cory loved the country the way she loved Ninoy – selflessly,” Tañada said.

Aquino died last Saturday due to complications from colon cancer, which she fought for over a year. She was 76.

Aquino’s casket, draped with the Philippine flag and surrounded by a blanket of yellow flowers, was placed on top of a truck. Four honor guards from the military stood by it throughout the eight-hour procession.

Some 100,000 lined up along Roxas Boulevard from Intramuros to Quirino Avenue, said Superintendent Rommel Miranda, metropolitan police spokesman.

Another 30,000 gathered from Osmeña Highway to Buendia Avenue, 10,000 along the Sucat interchange, and 10,000 at the vicinity of the Manila Memorial Park.

A human chain was formed to contain the crowd and allow the convoy to pass through the stretch of Roxas Boulevard.

Among the mourners who lined up the streets were students and nuns of St Paul College, members of the Chinese-Filipino community, vendors, and ordinary citizens some of them as young as four years old.

The mourners were flashing a "Laban" (fight) sign and chanting "Cory! Cory!"

Some were carrying yellow flowers and laminated photos of the former leader.

Aquino's only son, Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino III and his relatives rode a van next to the truck that was carrying their mother’s remains. They flashed the “laban” sign and said "thank you" to the crowd from the vehicle.

“Thank you to all of you. I’m sure my mother and father are watching from up above. You want to continue the fight. With your help, we can do that,” the senator said.

“We are still in mourning, but in the coming days, we will continue the fight,” he said.

Members of the August 21 Movement (Atom) sang the 1986 People Power anthem “Bayan Ko” and “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” during the procession as onlookers sang along.

Mourners stood still in the street even as heavy rains started to pour along Osmeña Highway.

Overhead, helicopters threw petals of red and white roses. The streets of Old Manila were painted Upon reaching the corner of Kalaw and Roxas Boulevard, militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan greeted the hearse to pay their last respects.

People clad in yellow cheered and waved goodbye as yellow balloons were released in the air. /Inquirer