Aquinos celebrate Cory’s 85th birthday
Happy birthday, mom. This was the simple greeting posted by former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on his social media accounts to remember his mother, Corazon or Cory, on her birthday yesterday.
The post was accompanied by photographs of him and his sisters with their mother when they were still young.
Cory, who also served as the country’s president from 1986 to 1992, would have been 85 yesterday.
Supporters of Cory also trooped to Times street in Quezon City on the eve of her birthday with flowers and photos of her. A mass was held at the Parish of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary for her soul.
“We thank all those who remain steadfast to her ideals,” Noynoy said.
Noynoy’s youngest sister, showbiz personality and multimedia queen Kris opted to have a more upbeat post on her own social media accounts as they held a low key remembrance at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City yesterday afternoon.
The siblings and the rest of their family prayed the rosary.
“A birthday is a happy occasion, and my choice of #BTS MAMA felt perfect. Sharing w/ you the English translation of my favorite lyrics,” Kris posted on Instagram with their photos at the memorial park, referring to a song by a South Korean boy band that accompanied her collage. The song was about a mother’s unconditional love and support for a son.
The day before, Kris said she did not want to sleep “feeling sad & missing our Mom” so she posted old photos of her mother looking “really slim & so PRETTY.”
Cory was dubbed by the presiding priest as “the mother of Filipino democracy.” She was the first female president of the Philippines after the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, was unseated from his 20-year rule.
After the mass, her supporters, all clad in yellow, went to the Aquinos’ house for a vigil to welcome her birthday at midnight.
Cory passed away at the age of 76 in 2009 due to colon cancer.