Philippines: Manila Remembers Former President Aquino

Filipinos are in mourning after former President Corazon Aquino was laid to rest. Around 30,000 people flocked to the streets of Manila Monday to watch the procession with Aquino’s coffin to her final resting place.

Soldiers performed honor rites on the grounds of a Catholic school before the coffin was loaded on a truck filled with flowers.

A motorcade drove through Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue, a symbolic road ofthe Philippines‘ „People Power“ revolution of 1986. Confetti rained in the financial district as Aquino’s coffin passed, stopping in front of a monument to her assassinated husband, where a short prayer was said.

People chanted her nickname „Cory“, while flashing the „L“ sign, standing for „Laban“, or „Fight“, a symbol used in her election campaign of 23 years ago. Many office workers skipped lunch to wait for the procession.

[Sonny Dawis, Businessman]:
„It just shows that Cory is the most loved president.“

Some joined in, saying the country owes its return to freedom to Aquino, whose leadership helped to topple dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

[Liza Viola, Housewife]:
„She is a symbol of what is morally upright and what is correct, so when you do good, it lasts forever and people know it.“

The Aquino family has opted against a state funeral, and the ex-president will be buried beside her husband on Wednesday, which has been declared aspecial holiday to allow Filipinos to pay their respects.

(NTDTV)