Caravan of Tarlaqueños to join Cory's funeral

TARLAC CITY, Philippines – A caravan of Tarlaqueños led by Gov. Victor Yap and this city’s mayor, Genaro Mendoza, is joining today’s burial of their provincemate, former President Corazon Aquino.

All the barangay vehicles, provincial buses and private cars joining the caravan will adorn yellow ribbons, which have sprouted all over this city since Mrs. Aquino passed away last Saturday.

Last Monday, Mendoza signed an executive order declaring August a month of mourning. Yap supported Mendoza’s move, as well his plan to build a life-sized statue of Mrs. Aquino in the city.

In a simple program at the city plaza that day, local officials and leaders of non-government organizations shared testimonies on how Mrs. Aquino has influenced their lives and how she would continue to inspire them.

A “Tribute to Cory” concert was also held at the city plaza, while Masses continued at the Tarlac Cathedral.

In Zamboanga City, thousands of residents are expected to gather for a Mass at the Metropolitan Immaculate Cathedral today as Mrs. Aquino is laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

In his homily in Monday’s Mass at the shrine of the Virgin of Fort Pilar, Archbishop Romulo Valles described Mrs. Aquino as a “gift” to Filipinos.

For Governors Ed Panlilio (Pampanga) and Grace Padaca (Isabela), they would “always draw strength” from the life and leadership of Mrs. Aquino “in times of difficulty.”

In an interview when he and other members of the Kaya Natin! movement visited Mrs. Aquino’s wake last Sunday, Panlilio recalled meeting the former president for the first time following the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

“You could see that she was genuinely concerned about the plight of the victims and she made sure that every family... was given enough food, shelter and other basic needs,” he said.

For her part, Padaca said, “I admire her inner strength as a woman leader who had refused to give up on our country and people despite all the trials and struggles that had come her way.”

In the Cordilleras, Mrs. Aquino is remembered for helping create the Cordillera Administration Region (CAR).

“We dearly remember her for that precious thing,” said Mailed Molina, chairman of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Front.

In 1986, the CPLA broke ties with the New People’s Army and signed an accord with Mrs. Aquino that paved the way for Executive Order 220 creating CAR.

The Baguio City council, meanwhile, approved on Monday a resolution expressing condolences to Mrs. Aquino’s family that Mayor Reinaldo Bautista would personally relay. Two busloads of city officials and residents will attend her funeral today.

Leaders in Cagayan Valley, Quezon and elsewhere in the country have also heaped praises on Mrs. Aquino. – With Roel Pareño, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Artemio Dumlao, Charlie Lagasca, Edith Regalado and Michelle Zoleta