People in the streets seem to never get tired of shouting “Cory! Cory” and flashing what used to be the famous “L” sign during the EDSA People Power Revolution as the truck carrying the casket of Cory Aquino passes. This shows how much the Filipinos are indebted to the sacrifices of the former president who brought back democracy from the Marcos regime.
The cortege left the Manila Cathedral past 11 a.m. and is expected to be at the Manila Memorial Part by 3 p.m. But after 5 hours, the truck is still in the street because it can’t get through the huge crowd of an estimated number of 200,000 people who want to catch a last glimpse of Cory.
Rain did not stop the people from being part of this momentous occasion. What is even more notable is that everyone can feel the solidarity of people from all walks of life because of their love for the president. There are even helicopters that threw petals of red and white roses.
Militant groups who supported Cory during the People Power also greeted the hearse as it reaches the corner of Kalaw and Roxas Boulevard. According to Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr, “It is our hope that the tremendous display of national solidarity of the past few days will carry on even after today. May Mrs. Aquino’s life continue to inspire our people to fight tyranny and abuse whenever and wherever these are present.”
As the cortege passed by the poor section of Manila, even children who were clad with yellow ribbons tied to their heads rushed to the truck despite the security personnel who tried to push them. Also, navy personnel and policemen saluted their late commander-in-chief and the ships docked along Manila Bay sounded mournful horns.
