President Cory Aquino finally laid to rest

Manila Memorial Park Parañaque (Rafael Cases)

After almost 8 hours of procession from Manila Cathedral to the Manila Memorial Park, President Cory Aquino was finally laid to rest. According to the authorities approximately more than 300,000 of our countrymen went out to the streets of the funeral procession to bid their last farewell. In the Aquino mausoleum, the final utterance of prayer was led by Jesuit Father Catalino Arevalo, spiritual adviser to Aquino with Bishop Soc Villegas; Full military honor was given to the former AFP commander-in-chief characterized by a 21 gun salute.

In the requiem mass officiated by Fr. Arevalo and Bishop Villegas with Cardinal Rosales before the procession at the Manila Cathedral early morning which was attended not only by the Aquino clan, friends, but also foreign dignitaries and other VIPs, including former presidents, Joseph Estrada and Fidel Ramos, to name a few. Among the roster of singers who performed and gave tribute to President Aquino were Erik Santos singing “Our Father”, Dulce “Your Heart Today”, Piolo Pascual “Sa Yo Lamang”, Zsa Zsa Padilla “Hindi Kita Malilimutan”, Lea Salonga “Bayan Ko”, Regine Velasquez and Martin Nievera sings "The Prayer" followed by “Pangako” of Ogie Alcasid then Jose Mari Chan, who sang the poem written by Ninoy to Cory “I have fallen in love (With the Same Woman Three Times)”, Jed Madela, Sarah Geronimo’s “Magkaisa” and then finally APO Hiking Society together with all the singers who performed sang "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo".

Many were moved by the message of Kris to her mom, and to all the Filipinos who showed their love and support to the former president Aquino until the very last day. Television host Kris Aquino being the most favorite and the youngest daughter of President Aquino and martyred Senator Ninoy Aquino said to her mom, “I lied to you. Nagsinungaling ako when I said we'd be ok. I did it because we wanted you to be free from all the pain.” She said it would take a “lifetime” before the family could get over their mother’s passing. Also she said, "Dad, it's your turn now. You are her one and only love. Now that you are together again, no matter how painful it is for us to let her go, we were comforted knowing that mom is happy to be reunited with you.

Note: It was President Cory Aquino who wished to be laid beside her husband Ninoy Aquino at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque city.

Below is a video clip of “The Prayer” by Regine Velasquez and Martin Nievera

More pictures will be uploaded soon!