'‘They’ve built a shrine for Ninoy and Cory’
SOPHIA M. DEDACE, GMANews.TV
08/21/2009 | 11:03 PM

 

More It wasn’t just the traditional flowers and candles that adorned the tombs of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. and his wife, Corazon. 

In the commemoration of Ninoy’s 26th death anniversary on Friday, hundreds of Filipinos went to the Manila Memorial Park and brought all sorts of memorabilia to show how the country’s pillars of democracy have touched them personally. 

A charcoal illustration of the couple, handwritten notes from elementary students, a campaign material during 1978 elections where Ninoy ran for senator , items handed to mourners during the wake of Corazon. 

These were only some of the reasons why Corazon’s sister-in-law Margarita “Tingting" Cojuangco exclaimed: “They’ve built a shrine for Ninoy and Cory." Tingting is the wife of Jose “Peping" Cojuangco Jr., Corazon’s brother. 

Roger Ocampo’s “gift" to Mrs. Aquino was a glass-case containing refreshments handed out to mourners who lined up for hours during the former Philippine leader’s wake at the Manila Cathedral. 

Ocampo said that Mrs. Aquino was the president he most loved. “These mineral water bottles are only what were left of that experience. By enclosing them in this case, it’s like telling Cory that she will always remain in my heart." 

Another mourner grabbed everyone’s attention when she knelt in front of the tombs for more than an hour. Estelle Camute, a 43-year-old Samar native, said she wanted to pray intently for Benigno and Corazon. “May panata ako, at kasama lagi sa dasal ko sila Ninoy at Cory (I have a devotion to God, and I always include Ninoy and Cory in my prayers)," she said. 

A mourner also left a basket of eggs at the Aquino mausoleum. Onlookers say that Philippine superstition has it that eggs help carry the dead make the journey to the afterlife easier. 

Youngsters also made their affection felt even if they were born more decades after the tumultous Martial Law years, Benigno’s death in 1983, and the historic 1986 People Power Revolution that brought Corazon to the presidency – proof that the couple’s impact spans all generations. 

“Maraming salamat, Cory at Ninoy," read one note by a Grade 3 student. “We love you Tita Cory. We will never forget you, mother of democracy," read another. 

Grace Marasigan, said she brought her four-year-old son Vincent to the Aquino memorial park so she can acquaint him with the feats and ideals of Corazon and Benigno. 

Asked why he decided to tag along with his mother, Vincent said: “Gusto ko makita lolo at lola ni Baby James (I want to see the grandparents of Baby James)," referring to the couple’s grandson Baby James Yap, son of television personality Kris. 

Outside the Manila Memorial Park, small entrepreneurs made quite a profit by selling shirts and items that showcase the Filipinos’ love and respect for the couple. 

Mang Andy, one of the several shirt vendors, already sold 500 pieces of shirt by midday. His sales had already doubled during the afternoon. Given that each piece costs P100, Mang Andy went home happy today. 

Indeed, the country went on a standstill during the month of August when it mourned Corazon’s death, but celebrated her reunion with “her only love." 

By the sunset of August 21, many people who came from all parts of the country returned to their homes, vowing that they would continue what Benigno and Corazon fought for. 

As Ninoy and Cory supporter Rose Dagundon says: “The flowers will wilt, the candlelights will be snuffed out, but Ninoy and Cory will live on in our hearts." - GMANews.TV