Southern Luzon bids Cory farewell

By Inquirer Southern Luzon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:08:00 08/05/2009

Filed Under: Obituary, death notices, Cory Aquino

MANILA, Philippines—Yellow ribbons tied around fences of schools and other government buildings in Albay expressed the Albayanos’ sympathy with the family of former President Corazon Aguino on her burial, as they preferred to stay in their homes watching live coverage on television of her funeral procession and burial.

Monsignor Ramon Tronqued, vicar general of the Diocese of Legazpi, said 47 Albay parishes offered memorial Masses Wednesday afternoon for the repose of Aquino's soul.

“We will toll our church bells three times while she's being buried just like what our common practices during burial Masses. This would be our tribute to the late Cory Aquino,” Tronqued said in Filipino earlier during the day.

A plain black cloth had been hanging in front of the Albay provincial capitol to show that the Albayanos were also in grief over Ms Aquino's death.

Students of the Bicol University had a simple activity honoring the former President. Donned in yellow shirts, some students let loose 24 balloons with a printed message: “Maraming Salamat, Tita Cory, at Paalam,” at the BU grounds.

They also held a short prayer vigil “to pray for her soul and reminisce her contributions in our country,” said Tarrah Diandra Bulawan, BU college student council president.

For 76-year-old Lilia Barce of Daraga town, who became one of Ms Aquino's avid supporters during her presidency, the death of the former President marked the binding together of the Filipinos as one. “We should live by her example.”

A short power interruption in Daraga town annoyed some viewers as they were at the middle of watching the funeral procession on television.

Even jeepney and tricycle drivers here observed Aquino's funeral by tying yellow ribbons to their vehicles.

In San Pedro, Laguna, just when Lea Salonga sang “Bayan Ko,” Arjay Salgado from Calamba City sent text messages to his friends, saying “Kinanta pa yun. Sabog na lalo luha!”

He said he himself held his tears back, feeling a sense of patriotism, as he watched Aquino's burial on television.

In a neighborhood, someone in the street shouted “Mabuhay si Cory!” just as the song was being sung.

Since early Wednesday, store owner Marissa Bantug, 51, monitored the live coverage on television of the national event. She , said she was saddened when she heard in a report that singer Charice Pempengco was not allowed to enter the church and witness the Mass.

In the University of the Philippines Los Baños, yellow ribbons were tied around palm trees surrounding the Oblation statue since Tuesday.

UPLB Vice Chancellor Bert Rañola said the yellow ribbons were not planned during their meetings, so these were likely "individual initiatives.”

At about 1:30 p.m., from Nichols to Bicutan and Sucat, people in yellow shirts or with ribbons were lining up the streets, rendering the SLEx narrower for vehicles as they waited for Aquino's cortege.

People, young and old, crowded the Sucat tollgate exit to catch a glimpse of 10-wheeler truck bearing the casket of the former President.

Fe Fernandez, a housewife in Lucena City, wept in front of a television showing the live broadcast of the funeral for her failure to join the funeral march for her “heroine.”

“I joined the thousands of Filipinos during the funeral of Ninoy. I was then a house help in Manila. I planned to also join the funeral march for Cory but I was not allowed by my family due to my hypertension,” she said.

A lighted candle was sighted in the family altar. “We will pray after the funeral,” she said.
Reports from Johana Vi Gasga, Maricar Cinco, Romulo Ponte and Delfin T. Mallari Jr. Inquirer Southern Luzon

Indian national shot dead in Albay town

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 15:25:00 08/04/2009

Filed Under: Crime

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- An Indian national was shot dead by an unidentified male suspect in Albay province, a police official said Tuesday.

Nachhatar Singh, a resident of Sunrise Subdivision in Legazpi City, was killed inside his light brown Honda City sedan parked in front of a store in Ubaliw village, Oas town at around 10:15 a.m. Monday, said Inspector Ayn Natuel, Bicol regional police spokesperson.

Singh was about to collect money from his customers when the suspect, on board a red Honda XRM motorcycle approached him and shot him twice, Natuel said.

The suspect fled towards Ilaor Sur village also Oas. Two empty shells from .45-caliber pistol were recovered from the crime scene, Natuel said.
Johana Vi Gasga, Inquirer Southern Luzon

Mga Albayano nakipagdalamhati sa pagkamatay ni Cory

1:05 p.m
August 5, 2009
LEGAZPI CITY – Loose streets adorned with yellow ribbons around fences of schools and other government edifices here sympathize Tita Cory’s last day on earth, as Albayanos prefer to stay in their homes watching live coverage on television of her funeral procession and burial today.
Monsignor Ramon Tronqued, Vicar general of the Diocese of Legazpi said that 47 Albay parishes will offer memorial mass this afternoon to pray for Tita Cory’s soul as she bid farewell to the Filipinos.
“We will toll our church bells three times while she’s being buried just like what our common practices during burial masses. This would be our tribute to the late Cory Aquino,” Tronqued told the Inquirer in Filipino.
A plain black cloth have been hanged over the front face of the Albay provincial hall show that solid Albayanos are also in grief in this time of Aquino’s death.
On the other hand, students of Bicol University have started gearing up for their simple activity to give honor for the icon of democracy Cory Aquino.
Donned in yellow shirts, some students will fly 24yellow balloons with a printed message: Maraming Salamat Tita Cory at Paalam, to be held at the BU grounds.
“And we will be giving a short prayer vigil to pray for her soul and reminisce her contributions in our country,” said Tarrah Diandra Bulawan, BU college student council president.
For a 76-year-old Lilia Barce of Daraga town, who becomes one of Cory’s avid supporters during her presidency, said the death of Cory marks the binding of the Filipino into closer love for the country. “We should go on live by her example, magka-isa sa magandang layunin.”
A short power interruption in Daraga town made some viewers annoyed as they were at the middle of watching the funeral procession on television.
Even jeepney and tricycle drivers here commiserate for the Aquino’s death which is shown in their yellow tied ribbons on top of their public vehicles despite declared non-working holiday. Jhogs at your service