MANILA, Philippines - The four honor guards who stood throughout the daylong funeral procession for former President Corazon Aquino have been given cash rewards by various donors in recognition of a job well done.
Former senator Agapito “Butz” Aquino, brother-in-law of Mrs. Aquino, along with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, donated P25,000 to each of the four honor guards.
Aquino and Cayetano personally handed the cash awards to Police Officer 1 Danilo Malab Jr., Army Pfc. Antonio Cadiente, Airman Second Class Gener Laguindan and Navy Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez at a ceremony in Makati City yesterday.
Aquino said the money came from private donors who considered the four as symbols for the thousands who showed support for the late president.
Aquino said the donors recognized the sacrifice of the four, who stood motionless during the nine-hour funeral procession.
The STAR president Miguel Belmonte revealed that an anonymous donor also sent P25,000 for each of the honor guards.
Aquino said the family could not possibly express proper thanks to each of those who condoled, and so “we chose symbols for the people.”
He said his niece, Kris Aquino-Yap, wanted to thank everyone but it would be difficult to do because there were just too many.
“The four were the most visible during the nine-hour funeral procession. It’s not an easy task standing for nine hours under the rain, getting hungry, and ignoring the call of nature,” he said.
“(What they did was) bring back the confidence in the (uniformed) forces,” Aquino said.
The Makati Business Club also acknowledged the stoic heroism displayed by the four honor guards who earned the admiration and respect of the public.
Mrs. Aquino’s grandson Jiggy Aquino-Cruz described them as the “Fantastic Four.”
Malab, who represented the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the honor guards, said they were grateful for the monetary rewards given to them.
Malab said they found themselves busy granting interviews from the media.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner added the four honor guards are even scheduled to appear as contestants in “Singing Bee,” a television musical show of ABS-CBN next week.
On Thursday night, the “Fantastic Four” were guests at a dinner hosted by the Cojuangco-Aquino family.
Malab said they attended a mass before the dinner and posed for pictures with the members of the Cojuangco-Aquino family.
Malab told the family that being part of the last moments of late former president was his memorable experience and the recognition and praises he earned from the effort was just too much.
“I thought our orders to stand as honor guards during the funeral was part of our ordinary duties, but I realized it carried a lot of responsibility on our part. We didn’t realize our little contribution to stand as honor guards for the late president made us the inspiration for the people,” he said.
Aside from promotion, recognition, and monetary rewards, Malab, a member of the PNP Headquarters Support Service (PNP-HSS), was given a weeklong rest by his superiors, Chief Superintendent Franklin Alpabeto and Senior Inspector Jesus Manalo.
Even without the promotion, recognition, monetary reward, Malab said he would stand for nine hours again as an honor guard if he has to.
“It was a great honor for us to have stood beside the former President, we never knew we would be given this much attention,” Rodriguez, for his part, said.
Cadiente also said they never expected the recognition and admiration for their effort.
“We never expected this, that we would be given this kind of treatment but we really appreciate it, the rewards they gave us in appreciation for what we did would go a long way for our families,” he said.
Laguindan said that the recognition that they got after serving as honor guards made them feel that every assignment in the Armed Forces is never too little for anyone.
“Even if, as a soldier, you are not fighting out in the field, even if you are assigned in the office, we should do our share and do our job in the best way we could,” he said.
Rodriguez, on the other hand, said the financial rewards given to them would be a big help for his family.
He said he would use the money for their house and sustain the needs of his three children.
Rodriguez said his youngest child was very happy seeing him on TV. He added he would be grateful if the Senate approves the resolution commending them for their effort.
Rodriguez admitted that he almost buckled during the nine-hour funeral procession.
“My knees were already hurting because my feet were soaked by the rain. I was praying hard and kept reminding myself not to give way to fatigue and show them what it takes to be in the Navy,” he said.
Rodriquez said the crowd gave him inspiration to continue standing.
“After the funeral procession reached the destination I was not even able to walk straight…my knees had locked for standing straight so I had to be assisted down the truck,” he said.
Seeing the swelling number of supporters following the funeral cortege, Rodriguez said he no longer felt hunger and the need to go to the bathroom. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, James Mananghaya