CEBU, Philippines - After a 3-night wake at the St. Mary Magdalene Church in Hinigaran town, Iggy’s remains were flown back to Manila at 6 a.m. yesterday from Negros Occidental, for the interment today at the Manila North Cemetery.
At 12 midnight Thursday, 5th district constituents and Negros Occidental officials paid their last respects to Iggy during an almost one-kilometer procession from the church to the Hinigaran bridge on the way to the airport in Silay City for a flight to Manila.
A crowd of almost 3,000 people joined the march, with people throwing flowers at the casket, and many of them crying, while a song was being played. The procession was also marked with fireworks.
During the Wednesday’s wake in Hinigaran, messages of love for Iggy and sympathy for his family overflowed after the concelebrated Mass attended by Negros Occidental officials..
Monsignor Victorino Rivas, main celebrant of the Mass, said in his homily that Iggy was a good man. “Whatever happens to his life, we have to respect it,” Rivas, who had officiated at the wedding of Iggy and Aleli, added.
The Provincial Board passed a resolution Wednesday extending their condolences to the Arroyo family. It was presented by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to Iggy’s brother Mike Arroyo and sister Marilou Arroyo-Lesaca, a few minutes before the Mass.
Also with Maranon to hand the resolution were Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., PB Members Manuel Frederick Ko, Miller Serondo, Renato Gustilo and Salvador Escalante, and Himamaylan City Vice Mayor Carminia Bascon.
Also present at the wake were La Castellana Mayor Alberto Nicor, Hinigaran Mayor Hermilo Aguilar, Himamaylan Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon, Moises Padilla Francisco Nazareno, 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, former Board Member Enrique Miguel Lacson, and former San Carlos City Mayor Eugenio Lacson.
Former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also visited the wake Wednesday morning in Hinigaran.
“You can see the overflowing love for the congressman. We’ve never seen a crowd like this except during fiesta,” Hinigaran Mayor Hermilo Aguilar said, referring to the constituents of the 5th District who visited the wake.
Iggy’s family thanked Negrenses. Mike said, “We are very overwhelmed and we are very happy that the people here loved him very much. I thank all the people here. We are very happy and humbled and we thank the PB for honoring my brother. It was very touching, and we are very happy that the people of Negros Occidental love him very much.”
Meanwhile, a hug made by Grace Ibuna to Alelu, daughter of Aleli, drew some reactions. At about 4 p.m. Ibuna and Dina Arroyo-Tantoco were standing by the coffin when Alelu approached to get a glimpse of her father. Ibuna suddenly hugged Alelu tightly, catching the attention of the people in the church, “That was sincerely from my heart. I promised Iggy that I would love all those he loved. For the sake of Iggy’s soul so he will go to heaven happily, I reached out,” said Ibuna.
Alelu, however, clarified she did not hug Ibuna. “I did hug anybody. She grabbed me. I just want to forget that horrible event, it was disgusting,” she said. “I never thought I would be grabbed, because I refused to shake her (Ibuna’s) hand. I only said good afternoon, because I did not want to touch her,” Alelu said. “I seriously want that event to be forgotten and I don’t ever want it to be shown on the news again. I only came to grieve for my dad , with my family and friends, not to be used and humiliated.”
Ibuna, when interviewed about the incident in Bombo Radyo, cried and said, “I hold no grudge, I hold no ill feelings. I can accept everything for the sake of Iggy.” - THE FREEMAN