Cory Aquino's Last Procession

August 5, 2009 4:30 PM - Just woke up because I was on night shift. I arrived home earlier today around 9:00 AM and saw the last funeral service for Cory in Manila Cathedral. I knew it was impossible for me to be awake the entire time, but I just left the TV on while I drifted to sleep. At 4:30 PM, waking up, I'm surprised with what I saw on TV... the Sucat Road exit from highway is quite literally a sea of people. The only landmark you can see that isn't covered by people was the pedestrian overpass!

I confirmed from home (I just called my dad a few minutes earlier) that what I'm seeing from TFC was really a live-telecast. According to dad, Cory Aquino's funeral procession just passed by the Nichol's Exit along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). That's still quite a long way to go. Still several kilometers before Bicutan then the Sucat exit. Then from the Sucat exit, it's several more kilometers before Manila Memorial Park. The TFC news crew estimate that it would take around two more hours before it reaches the Memorial Park. Wish I could be with my dad and the rest of the family who would be going to Sucat later once the procession passes by...

I actually though that once the procession reached SLEX, it will go full speed ahead towards Sucat. Not the case this time. Anyway...

It's just jaw-dropping to see the literal sea of people showing their love for the former president. The great respect the Philippine's Icon of Democracy draws is just unparalleled. Amazing. I almost cried at the mere thought, much less the sight of it all...

Anyway, allow me my little indulgence. This song has been playing all the time, but I never knew the lyrics:

"Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo"

'Di na 'ko papayag mawala ka muli.
'Di na 'ko papayag na muli mabawi,
Ating kalayaan kay tagal natin mithi.
'Di na papayagang mabawi muli.

Magkakapit-bisig libo-libong tao.
Kay sarap palang maging Pilipino.
Sama-sama iisa ang adhikain.
Kelan man 'di na paalipin.

Ref:
Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat.

Masdan ang nagaganap sa aming bayan.
Nagkasama ng mahirap at mayaman.
Kapit-bisig madre, pari, at sundalo.
Naging Langit itong bahagi ng mundo.

Huwag muling payagang umiral ang dilim.
Tinig ng bawat tao'y bigyan ng pansin.
Magkakapatid lahat sa Panginoon.
Ito'y lagi nating tatandaan.
(repeat refrain two times)

Coda:
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan.
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat!

Cheers to "pilipinasmabuhay100" for the above video and lyrics.