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cory aquino’s 4 honor guards give us pride and honor to the country – photos & news
we think the four honor guards of cory aquino during the burial were magnificent men of honor and duty. they stood there for more than 8 hours, snappy and straight without rest through heavy rain, dryness, bumps on the road and inclines.
we think these gentlemen of the military deserve the highest honor and commendation.
we will publish here more photos of these four gentlemen as our tribute to their professionalism and dedication. they make us proud.
Sen. Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano said the Senate should commend the honor guards who stood by the late Mrs. Aquino’s casket while the country witnessed the final journey of the democratic icon from the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros to the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City despite the inclement weather.
The honor guards who are being considered for commendation are PO1 Danilo Maalab (representing the Philippine National Police), Private First Class Antonio Cadiente (Army), Airman Second Class Gener Laguindan (Air Force) and Petty Officer III Edgardo Rodriguez (Navy).
Cop endures 8-hour Aquino funeral cortege
By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:33:00 08/06/2009MANILA, Philippines—For Police Officer 1 Danilo Malab Jr., standing on top of a moving truck for more than eight hours amid heavy rains as a guard at the cortege of former president Corazon Aquino was one of the most unforgettable experiences of his life.
He did not feel thirst nor did he feel the need to relieve himself despite long hours of standing snappily on top of the flat-bed truck.
“Hindi ko na inisip yung hirap kasi isang malaking karangalan ang mapaglingkuran ang dating pangulong Aquino (I did not think about the difficulties because it’s a great honor to serve former president Aquino),” Malab said in an interview Thursday.
Malab was one of the four honor guards that stood guarding the casket of Aquino as she was brought from the Manila Cathedral in Manila to the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City on Wednesday.
During the length of his interview, Malab was still standing snappily, holding his cap close to his chest.
The timid, 25-year old rookie policeman said the only thing he thought of as the cortege slowly made its way amid a sea of crowds was God.
“Dasal lang ako ng dasal para mabigyan ako ng mahabang stamina na maihatid si Ma’am Cory sa Manila Memorial (I just kept praying that I would be given the stamina to be able to bring Ma’am Cory to Manila Memorial),” Malab said.
He revealed that he only learned that he was to serve as honor guard for Aquino’s funeral procession early Wednesday morning.
Malab, who entered the police force on June 2008, said that the policeman initially chosen to serve as honor guard backed out because of poor health.
His simple breakfast of eggs and dried beef was what gave him the energy to endure the long funeral procession.
But Malab admitted that the first thing he did after the funeral procession was to go to the bathroom.
“Dumiretso ako sa CR pagkatapos (I went straight to the CR after),” he said.
Malab, a member of the Escort and Honor Guard Battalion, said he was greeted by cheers from his co-policemen.
Some even offered to treat him to a drink but he declined, saying he was not fond of drinking alcohol.
Philippine National Police spokesman Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina said Malab would be given commendation for his duty as Aquino’s honor guard.
“He is a symbol of discipline when he endured the eight-hour funeral procession,” Espina added.
breaking news has it that this cop was promoted to the next higher rank in recognition of his professionalism and dedication to his duty.
this was how they stood at the start, this one at top of quirino avenue just after the turn at roxas boulevard
in front of magallanes around 4 pm, they still stood the same way they did at the start of the procession
send us the pictures you took on august 3 when cory went to ayala avenue for the last time – we will post it in our blog
where you at ayala avenue yesterday, august 3, the day cory’s remains triumphantly passed through ayala avenue for the last time?
we were there too and we saw almost everyone had their cell phone and digital cameras with them taking pictures of themselves and friends to mark their presence on ayala avenue on that day. all sorts of pictures were taken – the event, office mates and almost everything that happened.
we are inviting everyone to send us the pictures they took and we will publish it in one of our blogs – click here: http://pinoyoutube.wordpress.com/
this is our way to celebrate and honor cory’s triumphs on ayala avenue and to remember this historic day with you. join us in marking august 3 as one of the most memorable events on ayala avenue’s long history of hosting events of national importance.
be part of that historic day and send us your pictures. email to: wawam.email@gmail.com.
indicate in the email if you wish your name, as owner of the picture, to be published along with the picture. it is understand that your sending the picture to us through email means you agree to have it published and no claim on remuneration for publication is being made.
you may add a caption to the picture by making a comment on the picture after it is posted on the blog.
people photo gallery 5: ayala avenue’s one last confetti rally for cory aquino
people photo gallery 1 (find yourself in the picture) : cory aquino at ayala avenue for the last time, august 3, 2009
this is august 3, 2009 when cory for the last time passed ayala avenue from la salle greenhills to the manila cathedaral. it felt very much like the People Power Revolution in the 80s.
for more photos click here:
- people photo gallery 1 (find yourself in the picture) : cory aquino at ayala avenue for the last time, august 3, 2009
- people photo gallery 2: august 3, 2009 – cory aquino’s triumphant march through ayala avenue (find yourself in the picture)
- people photo gallery 3: august 3, 2009 ayala avenue with tita cory aquino
- people photo gallery 4: cory aquino gets a yellow confetti rain for the last time (view your pictures here)
Our eternal flame, our Cory – PDI Editorial
Our eternal flame, our Cory
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:37:00 08/02/2009
MANILA, Philippines—When the light of Cory Aquino’s life, flickering as it had been, in the final, painful, month of her hospital seclusion, was finally extinguished, the country had been, in a sense, expecting it. Yet the news was still received with shock; and grief has settled over the nation, uniting rich and poor, old and young, the partisan and the apathetic, men and women, soldiers and civilians.
Unity is a rare thing in our country; we have it now; and adding to the feelings of grief is the wistful realization that it took the passing of Cory to reunite a divided nation.
In 1948, with trembling voice, Jawaharlal Nehru informed his people of the passing of Mahatma Gandhi with these immortal words: “The light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere.” There was no single great national figure to inform the country of Cory’s passing; instead, a quiet announcement came from her grief-stricken son, and there began the passing on of the news, and the sharing of fond memories.
It is only fitting that the Filipina who tried to institutionalize active non-violence in our bloodstained political culture inspired a similar sense of loss among Filipinos as that expressed by Nehru. Gandhi inspired Cory’s husband; and what Ninoy set out to do, she continued after his cruel murder. Non-violence has been, ever since, the dominant means to accomplish change in our country—a revolution in thought, accomplished by prayers, marches, candlelight vigils.
“The light that has illumined this country for these many years will illumine this country for many more years,” Nehru went on to say, “and a thousand years later, that light will be seen in this country and the world will see it and it will give solace to innumerable hearts.”
What was that light? It was the small but steady flame of personal conviction and conscience that never flickered even when the country and those she considered her nearest and dearest shunned her—ignoring her, even castigating her, because her husband chose to endure imprisonment rather than submit to the dictator.
It was a light that comes from a faith that led her to kneel, not in submission or surrender to the brutality and blandishments of the dictatorship, but to scrub the cell of her imprisoned husband on the rare occasions she was able to visit him; and which continued to bring her to her knees, in quiet contemplation and prayer, as she and her husband went into exile and then, in the years after his death, when his cause became hers to take up.
It was the light of liberty, the unquenchable flame of democracy, the light of optimism and faith in the Filipino, snuffed out in her husband’s case by an assassin’s bullets, but which lit so many more little flames, so that it dispelled the darkness that had engulfed the country since 1972. It was a light that could not be extinguished by coups and natural disasters, by the mocking of those who saw in her merely a woman, merely a widow, merely a person trying to return power where it belonged—in the people’s hands, to do with as they chose.
Cory Aquino’s inner light came to the fore once more, after she relinquished power—the only president in our history who never actively sought power but actively sought to relinquish it, fully and on time, once she had that power. It made her stand up whenever democracy was imperiled; she was applauded for it, and jeered for it; others still could not understand what was so clear to her. That incomprehension was born of such critics never having fully understood that inner light, which never required the active quest for popularity that marks the mere politician.
This was the light we took from Ninoy and Cory, which we passed from candle to candle, as we all proclaimed it would be better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. This was the light that was celebrated in our supreme moment of national redemption and vindication.
But for now, hearts are heavy; and there will take place the final series of farewells, from the humble to the great panoply of the honors of State; but throughout, we shall be—as she was—bringers and nurturers of the light, a light that shall never go out so long as the love of liberty burns brightly in our hearts—as it now, eternally, does in Cory’s and Ninoy’s.
As for the rest—the pomp and circumstance that surround the passing of a former head of state—her final wishes as expressed by her family are instructive. The cannons of the military boomed their hourly salute; the flags will be lowered to half staff; a simple guard of honor will keep vigil. But as for everything else, the pomp Ferdinand Marcos craved from embittered exile, Cory with utter simplicity declined. Her sole accompaniment as she goes to her final resting place beside her beloved Ninoy will be those for whom Ninoy died and for whom she lived: we, the people, without distinction as to protocol, or station in life. As in 1983, so it is in 2009: Cory, the people, together to demonstrate that the real power, glory and honors are not for officialdom to bestow, but instead, the Filipino people’s to freely give. And as it was in 1986 so it is now: united, in the streets, in remembrance and democratic dedication to our eternal flame, our Cory. So let these days of mourning be days of commemoration, of savoring, however briefly, that long-elusive sense of national unity we must aspire to always. And let us march, as we had marched,—not merely to bid farewell, but to continue along the path from which too many have strayed: the path of an uncompromising, stubborn dedication to the fight for liberty.
cory’s home on times street, the night of august 1
yellow flowers in front of cory's home on times street
cory's home at times st. with a sea of yellow flowers covering the sidewalk.
evening of august 1 at around 10 pm at cory’s home on times st., quezon city. a tv news reported from abs-cbn waits for his cue time on tv.
man tends to candles in front of cory's home at times street, quezon city
this man was there doing whatever he was doing for many minutes, bent down like that. i wondered what he was doing. then i realize he was tending the candles. it was a rainy night and the lights of the candles that were previously there were put out by the rain. this man decided to light up all the candles again. his own tribute to cory.
picture: soldiers carry cory aquino’s flag draped coffin
Filipino soldiers carry the casket of the late Philippine President Corazon Aquino as it arrives at La Salle school gym in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines on Saturday Aug. 1, 2009. Aquino, who swept away a dictator and then sustained democracy by fighting off seven coup attempts in six years, has died, her family said. She was 76. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
———–
for photos of cory at ayala avenue last august 3, click here:
- people photo gallery 1 (find yourself in the picture) : cory aquino at ayala avenue for the last time, august 3, 2009
- people photo gallery 2: august 3, 2009 – cory aquino’s triumphant march through ayala avenue (find yourself in the picture)
- people photo gallery 3: august 3, 2009 ayala avenue with tita cory aquino
- people photo gallery 4: cory aquino gets a yellow confetti rain for the last time (view your pictures here)
remains of cory aquino at la salle greenhills for public viewing
the hearse carrying cory aquino's remains arrive at la salle greenhills
1 Million Prayers For Tita Cory
we are collecting all your prayers, aiming to gather 1 MILLION PRAYERS FOR TITA CORY. cory has touched our lives, she has changed our lives and that of the country forever.
if you live outside metro manila or you are abroad or you just want to send your prayers, condolences and message to the aquino family, do this by sending a text message to this number:
+63 (908) 3344-771
(0918 3344-771)
we will be collecting all your messages and prayers and send a copy to the Aquino family.
Cory Aquino’s death: Nation lost ‘mother, guiding voice’
MANILA, Philippines – The nation should keep the memory of former President Corazon Aquino alive by standing for truth, freedom and justice, especially at this time when the Constitution is under threat, former president Joseph Estrada said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.
Estrada condoled with the Aquino, saying the nation lost a “mother” and a “guiding voice of the people.”
“Today our country has lost a mother. This is a sad day for the Filipino people. President Aquino has not only been an icon of democracy but has stood as the guiding voice of our people since Edsa 1,” said Margaux Salcedo.
“We wish she could have lived longer because we need her especially now that our Constitution is being threatened anew. Now we must honor her by practicing the principles embodied in our Constitution that she stood by — truth, justice, freedom, love — and by fighting for our democracy as she did,” Estrada added.
cory aquino 1933-2009: send your SMS text of prayers and condolences to the Aquino family
hundreds of thousands of filipinos have been praying for tita cory. thousands have been attending masses all over the country and other parts of the world where there are filipinos for the purpose of praying for tita cory. many more hundreds of thousands pray on their own, in their homes or in churches.
the 1 Million Prayers For Tita Cory allows everyone, specially those who are unable to attend the masses, those not in metro manila or outside the country to send their prayers forming a community of 1 million praying together for cory.
we are a small of group of 4 individuals, ordinary filipinos, who put together our skills, time and knowledge to set this up behind a shared concern for tita cory
there is no commercial gain in this for anyone. regular SMS texting charges will be applied to the SMS text that you will send. this is just like the texts you send to family and friends.
your cell phone number and any other personal information will be kept private and will not be shared with any person or group.
to send text, type the following:
Dear Cory ___ (type message)_____ your name
Sample Text: Dear Cory I pray for the eternal repose of your soul with the Lord. Juan de la Cruz
limit the length of your message to 160 characters only which includes spaces. send your SMS text to: 0908 3344-771; +63 (908) 3344-771.
visit 1 Million Prayers For Tita Cory blog: http://1millionprayers.wordpress.com/
We are collecting 1 million prayers for Tita Cory Aquino. For Tita Cory,
send your SMS text of condolences, prayers,
your hopes and well wishes, your messages,
your experiences on how you have been touched by her.
Send your SMS text to
+63 (908) 3344-771 [0908 3344-771]
We will gather your text prayers in a collection and
give a copy to the Aquino family.
Limit your SMS text message to 160 characters only, including spaces. Add your name at the end of the message.
+63 (908) 3344-771 [0908 3344-771]
give a copy to the Aquino family.
Cory Aquino RIP 1933-2009
At about 5 a.m. outside the hospital, Noynoy read a statement announcing the death of his mother.
The statement read:
“Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m., August 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest.
“She would have wanted to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support.
It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country. “Hinihiling po ng aming pamilya ang kaunting panahon para makasama namin ang aming mahal na ina.
“Later today, we will be announcing further details of her wake para sa lahat ng ating mga minamahal na kababayan na nais magbigay ng respeto sa aming ina.
Maraming salamat po.”
yellow ribbons for cory
yellow ribbons are now everywhere – in all types of walls, posts and fences around the city. it’s a testament to the outpouring support for cory. it’s telling everyone else that cory is in our prayers and by the millions.
as in real life, this is also true in the internet. putting the yellow ribbon has taken many forms to honor cory.
this is our contribution – we have added a yellow ribbon to our picture that we use in the internet. the yellow ribbon on the picture also mimics the letter “C” to remind us all for whom the yellow ribbon is.
that is the image that will appear in all our postings on the internet.
there are other versions. this one is from another blogger.
“In my own way of recognizing the importance of Cory Aquino’s contribution in restoring democracy and, for short period, unity in this country, I am encouraging all bloggers to include a 125×125 yellow ribbon avatar on their sites. You can get the codes to the 125×125 picture on the sidebar of this blog: PolitEkon“
in twitter, there is the twibbon, sample on the left. “Show support for “Yellow Ribbon for Pres. Cory” and add a twibbon to your twitter profile image”
to get the yellow ribbon, go to this site: http://twibbon.com/join/Yellow-Ribbon-for-Pres-Cory
at facebook users are being asked to change the picture in their profile to the yellow ribbon.
get your own yellow ribbon at the internet.
cory aquino condition “guarded”, surpassed prognosis by 17 months – a miracle
Aquino’s condition ‘guarded’—family
Noynoy: she’s beat prognosis by 17 mos now
By Christine Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines—From being stable in the past weeks, the condition of the cancer-stricken Corazon Aquino has been “guarded” since Monday afternoon, according to her son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
But the former President continues to fight, surprising even her doctors, the senator told reporters Tuesday.
In a statement, he said: “The doctors are continuously monitoring her blood pressure, which has been fluctuating.
“She is presently asleep, comfortable and not in pain.”
Speaking with reporters later in the Senate, Noynoy Aquino said he found out when he returned to the hospital on Monday afternoon that his mother’s blood pressure had turned “erratic.”
Noynoy Aquino said doctors had earlier told the family that their mother had only three months to live. He said she was not told of the prognosis but had surpassed it by 17 months now.
He described it as “a miracle,” pointing out that “no one can say exactly” when a person would pass on.
The senator admitted that the former President suffered a “serious episode” last weekend, and that this triggered the fluctuations in her blood pressure.
“The doctors have been saying they were surprised by Mommy’s fighting spirit … and we too are surprised,” he said.
Only Aquino family can issue statements on Cory’s condition
Only Aquino family can issue statements on Cory’s condition
07/24/2009 | 04:16 PM
The Aquino family on Friday requested the public to ignore rumors circulating about ailing former president Corazon Aquino’s health amid false text messages saying the People Power icon has passed away.
“The Aquino family appreciates expressions of support form the public, but would like to request that only announcement from the five children and grandsons be given credence by the public and the media,” said the family statement read to reporters by Dr. Eric Nubla, head of patient relations at the Makati Medical Center where Mrs. Aquino has been staying since June 23.
“Any statement will come from them. Let’s respect what they (said). The fact that we’re doing a statement like this says a lot,” said Nubla.
Text messages falsely saying Mrs. Aquino has passed away made the rounds early Friday, with former Supreme Court justice Adolf Azcuna announcing the content of the message during a Mass for Mrs. Aquino.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/168150/Only-Aquino-family-can-issue-statements-on-Corys-condition
Pope sends message for Cory
Pope sends message for Cory
By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 12:27:00 07/23/2009
MANILA, Philippines—Pope Benedict XVI is also praying for former President Corazon Aquino, who is battling colon cancer.
The Pope conveyed his concern for Aquino through a message sent Thursday morning by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, to their envoy to the Philippines, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams.
Adams relayed the Pope’s message through a letter that was read to the former president at her bedside by the former Philippine ambassador to the Vatican, Henrietta De Villa.
“Cardinal Bertone has communicated that the Pope is spiritually close to Your Excellency in your suffering,” Adams said in his letter to the former Philippine president.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20090723-216836/Pope-sends-message-for-Cory
US Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton sends Cory Aquino a personal note, prayers
Letter from Hillary
Masses for Aquino’s healing have been celebrated at Manila City Hall since Monday.
US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Ambassador Miguel Perez Rubio and former Senate President Franklin Drilon were among those who attended Wednesday’s noon Mass along with Manila City Hall officials and employees, most of whom came dressed in Aquino’s signature yellow.
Kenney later told reporters that US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton had sent a letter to Aquino.
“I am here for a special reason, because not just myself and the government of the United States but also several millions of Americans are praying for President Cory. I am here to represent them,” Kenney said.
The ambassador added: “I also brought today to the Aquino family a personal letter from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
“I think she has made many contributions. One is for being strong in the face of adversity, and being true to her beliefs in freedom and liberty, and certainly her faith as well. She’s always for Filipinos first. These are great contributions not only for leaders, but also for many Filipino citizens.”
Siytangco said the letter—“a personal note, an offering of prayers”—was delivered to Aquino by her former appointments secretary, Margie Juico, who was also at the healing Mass.
——
1 Million Prayers For Tita Cory – send your prayers and messages to tita cory at (0908) 3344-771. http://1millionprayers.wordpress.com/
Facebook group: Cory Aquino – Request For Prayers
Cory Aquino calls her 5 kids to bedside
Cory Aquino calls her 5 kids to bedside
By Fe Zamora, Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:44:00 07/23/2009
MANILA, Philippines—The ailing Corazon Aquino called all her five children to her bedside on Tuesday night, according to her youngest daughter.
“Last night, we were all here [at Makati Medical Center]. I called all my siblings after my mom asked for all of us to be together,” TV host and actress Kris Aquino said Wednesday in a text message to the Inquirer.
Aquino, 76, was diagnosed with colon cancer early in 2008 and has been confined at the hospital since June for loss of appetite.
Her other children are Ma. Elena “Ballsy” Cruz, Victoria Elisa “Viel” Dee, Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Abellada and Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
The former President remains in stable condition, her spokesperson Deedee Siytangco told reporters after the third of five healing Masses was celebrated Wednesday at Manila City Hall.
“As far as I know, she’s stable [and] her vital signs are okay. But her appetite has not improved,” said Siytangco, who urged the public to ignore nasty rumors about Aquino’s condition.
Siytangco said the Aquino family had promised to update her.
“They promised to call if anything changes,” she said. “I know the public needs to know, but if there are rumors—I know there are—just ignore them. You [will hear updates] from us.”
read in full here: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090723-216783/Cory-Aquino-calls-her-5-kids-to-bedside
Aquino’s condition worsens, says daughter
Aquino’s condition worsens, says daughter
By Jeannette Andrade,
Christine Avendaño Agence France-Presse,
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:10:00 07/20/2009
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) The condition of former Philippine president Corazon Aquino, in hospital for colon cancer, has deteriorated, her daughter said in a televised interview Monday.
Prayers have been said across this mostly Catholic Southeast Asian nation for Aquino, 76, who has been hospitalized for the past month.
“This is the hardest time for all of us,” Kristina Bernadette Aquino told ABS-CBN television. Aquino’s daughter wept as she outlined her mother’s condition. “She is in pain already, so please pray for her so that it could be lessened.”
“We don’t know how many more hours, days, and weeks God will give her, but please help us pray that my Mom won’t suffer too much pain,” she said.
Over the past four weeks, Aquino’s friends and former officials have been rallying support for the family, which has appealed for the public to give them private space.
A spokeswoman for the family earlier said Aquino had given up all medical intervention including chemotherapy and was leaving her fate to God.
1 Million Prayers For Tita Cory
Come join us,
we are collecting 1 million prayers for Tita Cory Aquino. For Tita Cory,
send your SMS text of prayers, condolences,
your hopes and well wishes,
your messages,
your experiences on how you have been touched by her.
Send your SMS text to
+63 (908) 3344-771 [0908 3344-771]
We will gather your text prayers in a collection and
give a copy to the Aquino family.
Limit your SMS text message to 160 characters only, including spaces.
Add your name at the end of the message.
we are collecting 1 million prayers for Tita Cory Aquino. For Tita Cory,
send your SMS text of prayers, condolences,
your hopes and well wishes,
your messages,
your experiences on how you have been touched by her.
Send your SMS text to
+63 (908) 3344-771 [0908 3344-771]
We will gather your text prayers in a collection and
give a copy to the Aquino family.
Limit your SMS text message to 160 characters only, including spaces.
Add your name at the end of the message.
where in the world…
1mprayers
2thousand10
alexangelph
antenna1
dandansoy
doorkn0b
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