booboo

i read from online forums that there were serious errors in the news coverage of president Cory's funeral. i actually did witness two occasions when a news anchor mistakenly said the incumbent's name rather than the former president in reference to the funeral. one thing that stood out though is from today's edition (August 6, 2009) of the Manila Bulletin in one of its captions. i immediately went to scourge for a copy and i got the last from 7/11 across our office. indeed, at the back page of the main section i found this:



funny as hell :D don't know what PGMA's reaction will be hehe. as for the newspaper editor, is this enough for him to get in trouble or be axed? let's see.

had this been the headline, i don't know if people will mourn or rejoice hahaha :P

final farewell

a couple of times i planned to attend the public viewing of Tita Cory's wake in Manila Cathedral but untimely work demands prevented me to. i heard from the news coverage her cortege would be passing by Osmeña highway so i thought this would be my last opportunity to sort of pay my respects to our former president so i felt compelled to go. i sneaked out from the office, camera strapped on my neck, and went with my friend, Mark Kano.

in no time we found ourselves along the Buendia flyover. it was raining hard but surprisingly scores of people turned out to bid their final farewell. everyone was patiently waiting under the bad weather. and in observance of Cory's favorite hue, some people were clad in yellow shirts, jackets, others with yellow ribbons, umbrellas and balloons. i wonder if someone brought with them those giant yellow foam Laban signs - you remember those, back from the 80's people power? :)

i actually climbed atop a fire truck to have a better view. below are some of my shutter peeks.

freedom of expressions
































the sight was amazing. a truly historic moment. i saw children who were not even born during the EDSA people power revolution nor her presidency but their parents brought them along to witness an event which they might not able to comprehend for now but someday will fully understand.

the media wagon

the sea of Filipino people

president Cory's coffin draped with the Philippine flag

sea of people along Osmeña high way

some of the Cojuangco and Aquino family and relatives expressing their gratitude towards the people





some of her presidential decisions might have been incorrect as to some may seem but part of her legacy is the transition of our government from the dictatorship to democracy.

i hope her passing does not just leave confetti on our roads or bring us as a nation to just mourn. i hope her example models us to be better individuals. enough with the "proud to be pinoy" as it can be overused. Filipino pride is not a mere birth right. it is earned.

people's passion for democracy might have died down but believe me the embers are still there. and it takes an event like this, the passing of a former front runner, to fan the flames again. the spirit stays alive. i felt it. let's carry on. let's make a difference. she has shown us the way. sacrificed her family and personal life even. now that she's gone it is simply up to us to follow her path.

Salamat at paalam President Cory

we have been witnesses during the past days of the outpouring of love, support and respect for our former president Cory. admired by us Filipinos, and international dignitaries as well, for her humility, simplicity and utmost integrity and honesty in governance Tita Cory is now being showered with so much love by the very people she fought democry for. the same people who entrusted her our nation once. the very people whom his husband Ninoy worthily died for.

as i watched today the final mass held at the Manila Cathedral, the attendance of families, friends, former government officials pro and critics alike, foreign delegations, rich and poor, well known and ordinary are all testament to how her life made an impact to everyone. her faith and trust in the Filipino people never wavered. despite numerous attempts to put her down during her presidency, she courageously fought and withstood with honor. it's typical of us pinoys to love people who loved us first and that's what we are witnessing here.

her passing all of a sudden awakened that feeling of being democratic in each of us. that feeling of giving back to our nation. that feeling of caring for our children's future by ensuring we will not be ruled by darkness again. i hope everyone would take into heart her and Ninoy's sacrifices.

on a personal note i feel the Aquino family's pain. my nanay went through the same medical condition and we were witness to her physical pain. those of us who left behind had to endure the emotional pain afterward. no one said it'd be easy but you get strength from the people around you. this overcomes whatever mourning death brings.

we've seen and heard personal accounts from friends and families of how Cory became their loving friend, caring mother, great adviser, companion, courageous leader, one who encourages in return, a simple person who also eats cup noodles, a faithful servant of the Lord and a humble person. if there's one thing every Filipino should be grateful for, i think it's how we should love our families while they're still with us. yes it may be true that there's not really enough time to spend with someone you love but why don't we just cherish whatever time is given to us.

paalam po President Cory. you're now in a better place. after all your sacrifices for us, it's now time to reunite with your Creator. and Ninoy :)

maraming salamat po. masarap palang maging Pilipino.