Noy to lead 'people's tribute' to Cory on 1st death anniversary

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will lead a “people’s tribute” to his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, when the country commemorates her first death anniversary tomorrow.

Mrs. Aquino’s death led to the calls for her only son to run for president and continue her legacy and that of her husband, slain senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

Dubbed “Her Legacy, Our Promise,” the tribute to Corazon Aquino will be held at De La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong City and will start with the unveiling of a historical marker, followed by a video presentation on the late president, presentation of seed organization representatives and a pledge or call to action.

There will also be a Mass and a speech by the President, according to Malacañang.

Today, the President, along with Vice President Jejomar Binay, will unfurl his mother’s photo mosaic by photojournalist and mosaic artist Revoli Cortez at the Quirino Grandstand on Roxas Boulevard.

The photo mosaic printed on tarpaulin is made of more than 3,200 photographs of Cory.

The President, assisted by 20 other key officials, will pull the symbolic yellow ribbon to unveil the photo mosaic, measuring 250 by 200 feet on weatherproof tarpaulin.

As the unveiling rites take place, singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan will render the song “I Have Fallen in Love with the Same Woman Three Times,” a poem written by Ninoy for Cory.

Cortez will then turn over a photo mosaic replica to the President.

But while the arrangements have already been ironed out, an official of the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City yesterday said that the Aquino family has yet to coordinate with them regarding preparations for Cory’s first death anniversary.

Park manager Lamberto Peña said he has no idea if and what time Mr. Aquino and his sisters will drop by on Sunday.

“Maybe for security reasons we are not informed about it. Based on usual practice an advance party is usually sent here to conduct ocular inspections but up to now we have yet to hear from them,” Peña told The STAR.

“Maybe (this Saturday) we can finalize everything,” he added.

Nonetheless, he said they will put up tents and about 50 chairs on the grave site of the deceased president and her husband in case their children decide to hold Mass there.

Peña also gave assurance that the park management can handle visitors who might drop by on Sunday.

Southern Police District spokesperson Chief Inspector Jenny Tecson said all police stations under the district have already been directed to provide route security on Sunday.

Parañaque City police chief Senior Superintendent Alfredo Valdez, who was designated ground commander for tomorrow, said they will deploy about 160 men to maintain peace and order.

Although there will be no rerouting scheme, he said elements of traffic management will be deployed to ensure smooth vehicular flow. 

Kris back in town

Meanwhile, presidential sister and talk show host Kris Aquino arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 2 with sons Baby James and Joshua on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 113 around 5:18 a.m. yesterday.

Ms. Aquino was seen wearing a peach round neck shirt and blue jeans while lining up at the immigration counter without any assistance from the Public Affairs Division.

The controversial actress went to Los Angeles last July 9 amid marital problems with basketball star player James Yap.

Aquino said that the annulment proceedings are now in the hands of her lawyers. - Aie Balagtas See, Rudy Santos