Dear friends,

I wish to share with you my experienced for two consecutive days, that I happened to witnessed the national funeral of the late and former president of the Philippines.

But to give you a short idea of what had happened, twas early morning of August 1, 2009, the nation was saddened and mourned by the passing away of the former president of the Philippines Madam Corazon C. Aquino, at 3:18 am Philippine time. She died of Cardio respiratory arrest at Makati Medical Center, Makati City. Here are the two days stories.

August 04, 2009

Yesterday, I personally witnessed the huge crowd of people on the streets, patiently waiting for the passing of the flag-draped coffin of Corazon Aquino, paraded atop a flatbed truck with beautiful yellow and white flowers, along the streets of Ayala avenue, Roxas boulevard and other streets of Metro Manila.

We're on our way to Bureau of Immigration when we happened to passed by a long line of people on the streets mentioned, from as early as 10 or11 in the morning up to past 4:00 in the afternoon. We saw tens of thousands of mourners left their offices, businesses, schools and homes and converged on streets and overpasses waving yellow ribbons,releasing yellow balloons and showering yellow confetti from high-rises building on to Cory's Aquino's casket. You will see people in all walks of life are sharing smiles even sad and became friendly because of one purpose, and that is to view or see for the first time the casket of the late president in a procession as the move on to the capital's cathedral.Where her body lie in state for public viewing in Manila cathedral before she will be laid to rest on Wednesday.

Anywhere that you turned your head, you will see lots of people either wearing yellow hats, t-shirts, balloons, wristbands and many others.Because, yellow is the color that signifies or the symbol of the non-violent mass movement that ushered in an era of democracy after 20 years of authoritarian rule under Marcos' regime..

While Manila's notorious traffic came to a standstill as the cortege inched on more or less five to six hour procession through the city. Motorists rolled down windows and showing their hands to flash Aquino's trademark "L" sign for "laban," (or fight in Filipino), and the crowds would also replied with an "L" sign, the key slogan of the anti-Marcos campaign. While some men and women in all walks of life sang a revolutionary anthem and chanted, " Cory...Cory...Cory..." Amidst the cheers and tears of the many Filipinos, that even the sky turned gray to share the sympathy and sorrow of the people in general, for the passing away of the great leader, Madam Corazon C. Aquino.

August 5, 2009

And today, I witnessed again literally, sea and waves of people, cars, sidewalk vendors of foods and memorabilia. And also floods of different colors of umbrellas as the heavy rain pours once in awhile. But this didn't stopped the people from waiting patiently again, to show their love, support, sympathy and last respect to the popularly known "Mother of Democracy" and also commonly called by many as Tita (or Aunt)Cory ng Bayan(nation).

People were just flooding on the streets and stayed all the way, despite the tiresome wait of more or less 9 hours to the funeral entourage. But, by the time that the flatbed truck full of white and yellow flowers with four military guard on top, that carried the flag covered casket of the late president passed by, people just became nostalgic and emotional. Even the police besides me where I was standing, forget about their duty to be watchful or vigilant as they were also busy getting pictures on their cellphones and digital cam. Crimes, traffics, and troubles have stopped for that long hours for a common cause-and that is, to give respect to the icon of democracy to the final resting place.

Frankly, I was also wearing the significant color-yellow .With yellow blouse, bags, high heeled rubber slippers, just to show my sympathy and respect to the family, and to my fellow Filipinos, in my own little way. I am one of the tens of thousands of people walking while raining on the street who witnessed the national funeral, seen on televisions not just nationwide, but to the entire world. Then I could proudly say, with all humbleness- " I was there(with misty eyed)... at the Last Farewell. "