Despite of heavy rains brought by tropical storm “Kiko” that affects several areas of Metro Manila right now, it doesn’t stop the people to witness the funeral cortege of the late President Aquino. The crowds chanted Cory’s name and flashed the “L” sign as Aquino’s hearse passed enroute to Manila Memorial Park.

The “L” sign or known as laban was the trademark for late President Cory Aquino when she battled for presidency against Marcos regime. The former president became a democratic icon for us Filipinos.

The funeral Mass for Aquino started at exactly 9 a.m. with Balanga Auxiliary Bishop Socrates Villegas, a close friend of the Aquinos, as the main celebrant.

Among those politicians who attended the mass were Vice-President Noli de Castro, East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, former presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Rodolfo Biazon, Alan Peter Cayetano and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando.

At exactly 11:30 a.m., the funeral cortege of former president left the Manila Cathedral where thousands of people lined the streets where the procession is going to pass. The route is going along Roxas Boulevard toward the south, after which it will turn left at Quirino Avenue, cross Taft Avenue, and then turn right at the South Expressway onward to Paranaque.